> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How to Show Desktop in GNOME - URL: https://itsfoss.com/show-desktop-gnome-3/ - Published: 2015-10-24T11:27:33.000Z - Updated: 2023-01-23T06:35:40.000Z - Description: Want to minimize all the running windows and display just the desktop? GNOME doesn't do that with a single key shortcut anymore but here's what you can do. - Author: Abhishek Prakash - Tags: Quick Tip GNOME is a beautiful, modern desktop environment focusing more on switching between applications. But what if you want to minimize all the running windows and display just the desktop? In Windows, you can do this by pressing Windows + D. You can also use the same keyboard shortcuts in Ubuntu as it uses a customized GNOME desktop. But vanilla GNOME has disabled the shortcut key to show the desktop for some reason. When you press Super+D or Ctrl+Super+D, nothing happens. If you want to see the desktop, you’ll have to minimize all running windows one by one. It is not convenient especially if you have several application windows open. If you prefer the minimize to desktop option, you can add a custom keyboard shortcut. It takes a tiny bit of effort but does the job. In this quick tutorial, I am going to show you how to add a keyboard shortcut to show the desktop in [GNOME](https://www.gnome.org/?ref=itsfoss.com). ## Add a shortcut key to show the desktop in GNOME I am using [Arch Linux](https://itsfoss.com/why-arch-linux/) with GNOME 43 in this tutorial, but the steps are applicable to any Linux distribution using any latest versions of GNOME. Also, the latest [GNOME versions have improved UI](https://news.itsfoss.com/gnome-43-release/?ref=itsfoss.com) designs. So, you might not see the same looks if you are a few releases behind. But I believe the steps are straightforward and you can easily follow them. ****FYI, the Super key in Linux terms is the Windows key.*** ### Step 1 Go to **System Settings**. Press the Super key to access the activities overview and search and open settings. ![open settings from activities overview](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/12/open-settings-from-activities-overview.png) Open settings from activities overview ### Step 2 When you are in System Settings, scroll down a bit and look for the **Keyboard** section in settings. ![select customize shortcuts from keyboard section](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/12/select-customize-shortcuts-from-keyboard-section-800x513.png) Select **View and Customize Shortcuts** from the keyboard section From the Keyboard section, select **View and Customize Shortcuts**. From the new window listing available categories for shortcuts, select **Navigation** as shown in the above screenshot. ### Step 3 You can find all the actions available and their respective keyboard shortcuts here. From this list, you’ll see that the **Hide all Normal Windows** action has been disabled. ![set keyboard shortcuts for hiding all normal windows](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/12/set-keyboard-shortcuts-for-hiding-all-normal-windows.png) Set keyboard shortcuts for hiding all normal windows Clicking on this action will pop up a dialog box, where you can enter your required shortcut. In this case, I used **Super + Ctrl + D**. Once done, press **Set** to save your choice. You can use any keyboard shortcut you want. If any combination you entered is already being used for another action, it will display a warning message. ![shortcuts already used warning](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/12/shortcuts-already-used-warning.png) “The selected key combination is already used for another action” warning message while setting the shortcut You can either replace the existing one for your purpose or use a new shortcut by pressing cancel and trying again. Now, your new shortcut will be assigned for showing the desktop. ![new shortcut set for hiding all normal windows](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/12/new-shortcut-set-for-hiding-all-normal-windows.png) New shortcut is set for hiding all normal windows If you accidentally press the wrong key combination and set it, just click on it and press the backspace key and it will be disabled again. Also, you can click on the small button to the right of the shortcut to disable it. ![remove an existing keyboard shortcut](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/12/remove-an-existing-keyboard-shortcut.png) Remove an existing keyboard shortcut Now click on it again and use the desired key combination. Once all set, you can press the combination to minimize all windows. Pressing one more time will make them reappear. ## Alternative: Use third-party extensions to peek into desktop In this method, you can use **Dash to Panel** extension, which is available and supported for the latest GNOME releases also. First install Dash to Panel extension, [either from the website or through the extensions manager app](https://itsfoss.com/gnome-shell-extensions/). I used the [Extension-Manager](https://itsfoss.com/extension-manager/) app to do the same. ![install dash to panel extension](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/12/install-dash-to-panel-extension.png) Install Dash to Panel extension using Extension-Manager App Once installed, you will notice that your top panel has been removed and a bottom panel like Windows appears. ![right most button will minimize all windows to show the desktop](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2022/12/right-most-button-will-minimize-all-windows-to-show-the-desktop.png) Right most button will minimize all windows to show the desktop In this, clicking the right-most button, as shown above, will minimize all the windows to show you the desktop. Another click will bring the minimized windows back to the old state. Also, you can customize this panel to your liking. That’s it. Enjoy the shortcut to show the desktop in GNOME. I hope you found this quick tutorial helpful. Any questions, suggestions, or a word of thanks are always welcomed :)