Classic Shell for Windows 8

"Show Desktop" shortcut icon in taskbar

A new Win8 user running the Classic Shell.

Is there a way to put a "Show Desktop" shortcut icon on the taskbar?

Thanks,
Skyzoomer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio 1537
    CPU
    core 2 duo
    Memory
    4GB
Is there a way to put a "Show Desktop" shortcut icon on the taskbar?
  • On desktop make a shortcut to this:
    explorer shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}
  • Change Icon e.g. using c:\windows\sytem 32\imageres.dll
  • Right mouse click on shortcut: "Pin to taskbar"
  • Delete shortcut on desktop
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
  • On desktop make a shortcut to this:
    explorer shell:::{3080F90D-D7AD-11D9-BD98-0000947B0257}
  • Change Icon e.g. using c:\windows\sytem 32\imageres.dll
  • Right mouse click on shortcut: "Pin to taskbar"
  • Delete shortcut on desktop

Perfect instructions!
Thanks much,
Skyzoomer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio 1537
    CPU
    core 2 duo
    Memory
    4GB
A new Win8 user running the Classic Shell.

Is there a way to put a "Show Desktop" shortcut icon on the taskbar?

Thanks,
Skyzoomer

This is the way I did it. I may try the other way

Capture.JPG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio XPS 9100
    CPU
    intel i7 920 @ 2.67 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    24 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5670
    Sound Card
    Internal
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Flat Screen HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 850 250 GB SSD
    2 Seagate internal 1TB
    WD external 3TB USB 3
    WD external 2TB USB 3
    PSU
    550-W
    Case
    Mid
    Cooling
    Fans
    Keyboard
    US USB
    Mouse
    USB
    Internet Speed
    3.84 Mbps Download .44 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
    Other Info
    Liteon DVD wrighter
    Liteon BD drive
    Monoprice Tablet
This is the way I did it. I may try the other way

View attachment 12996

I tried your method. It appears that it allows displaying all of the shortcuts on the desktop. I already have the icons on the desktop so it would be redundant to have that capability on the taskbar.

The method that Nifu provided puts the "Show Desktop" icon on the taskbar which allows clicking it to show the desktop regardless of which windows are open. This is what I wanted. (BTW, clicking that icon again returns to showing the windows that were open.)

Thanks,
Skyzoomer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio 1537
    CPU
    core 2 duo
    Memory
    4GB
Show Desktop is already there. It's at the bottom right corner, just to the right of the clock, put mouse at bottom right corner and click, then click again to bring apps back up.

Same as in Win7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Anyone else experiencing update failures (x64 desktop) with Classic Shell installed? I simply can't do complete updates if Classic Shell is installed and have to uninstall it for the updates to work. I didn't have this issue with my x32 tablet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
I have not, and been running different versions. I have the latest now,, will check the next time I have updates to run
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
Anyone else experiencing update failures (x64 desktop) with Classic Shell installed? I simply can't do complete updates if Classic Shell is installed and have to uninstall it for the updates to work. I didn't have this issue with my x32 tablet.
Are you talking about Windows Updates? Do you update from Metro or from the Desktop? Do you get an error message or an error code?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
im having trouble with windows 8 running properly, ive only downloaded 4 things other than updates and it seems to be frezzeing up alot in past few days. and it seems to be acting kinda...slow witht the touch pad. ive only down loaded skype, java, kaspersky anti virus and google chrome. i cant figure out what is up with it. im half tempted to take it back to best uy and tell um to figure it out or give me my money back since i only had it for a month.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
I usually go to the control panel and see if there are any updates. The control panel always says you are up to date and have automatic updates installed. So when I click on check for updates, lo and behold I get a pile of new updates, critical and not. With Windows 7, the updates start loading pretty much as soon as I start the PC.

But the major problem with Windows 8, when Classic Shell is installed, is that the updates tend to fail. This has happened three times now, so I completely removed Classic Shell and don't now have these problems. Of course this makes Windows 8 a pain in the ring to work with, so it's an annoying issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
im having trouble with windows 8 running properly, ive only downloaded 4 things other than updates and it seems to be frezzeing up alot in past few days. and it seems to be acting kinda...slow witht the touch pad. ive only down loaded skype, java, kaspersky anti virus and google chrome. i cant figure out what is up with it. im half tempted to take it back to best uy and tell um to figure it out or give me my money back since i only had it for a month.

A friend of mine has the same problem - slow PC, not worked Apps. He solved the problem by ininstalling Kaspersky.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    CPU
    Athlon II X3 455
    Motherboard
    Asrock 880GMH US3S
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gainward GT440 1GB GDDR5
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq G2220HDA
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Excelstor 40 GB ATA100
    Hitachi 200GB ATA 133
    Seagate Baracuda 2TB SATA2
I'm still not clear what you mean when you say that the updates fail. Do they fail to install? Do they install but fail to do their updatey stuff?

Classic Shell doesn't do anything that can interfere with updates directly. The only thing I can think of is that maybe you are not doing a proper restart, but instead you just shut down. If you shut down from the start menu, it will do a hybrid shutdown, which is a form of hibernation. You need to hold down Shift for a full shutdown.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
They simply fail to install and I get an error message saying 'updates failed to install'. I didn't know what was going on until I did some web searching and there were several references to Classic Shell affecting updates. I've been doing Windows updates for a long time, so I do know how to do them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
Do you get an error code or an entry into the event viewer?

A quick search failed to uncover other reports about Classic Shell and failed updates. Can you share the links you found? Few more datapoints will help me get to the bottom of this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
I get a failure report in the update screen of control panel/update screen. Classic Shell installed, frequent update failures. Classic Shell not installed, no update failures.

I'm going to be away for a while, so probably won't be able to further respond until I get back.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
Show Desktop is already there. It's at the bottom right corner, just to the right of the clock, put mouse at bottom right corner and click, then click again to bring apps back up.
Same as in Win7.

Unfortunately, there's no "Show Desktop" icon anywhere on the Classic Shell's taskbar in my Win8 laptop (except for the one I just added per NiFu's post). The "Show Desktop" icon is on my Win7 taskbar next to the clock as you mentioned.

Thanks,
Skyzoomer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio 1537
    CPU
    core 2 duo
    Memory
    4GB
If you shut down from the start menu, it will do a hybrid shutdown, which is a form of hibernation. You need to hold down Shift for a full shutdown.

FWIW, I have not had any problems doing Win8 updates. I shutdown using a shortcut on my desktop.

Ivo, does this shortcut do a full or hibernate shutdown?

%windir%\System32]shutdown.exe /s /t0


Thanks,
Skyzoomer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio 1537
    CPU
    core 2 duo
    Memory
    4GB

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
If you shut down from the start menu, it will do a hybrid shutdown, which is a form of hibernation. You need to hold down Shift for a full shutdown.

FWIW, I have not had any problems doing Win8 updates. I shutdown using a shortcut on my desktop.

Ivo, does this shortcut do a full or hibernate shutdown?

%windir%\System32]shutdown.exe /s /t0


Thanks,
Skyzoomer

This is a hybridshutdown
Shutdown -s -f -t 00 -hybrid

hibernate
Shutdown -h

Normal shutdown
shutdown.exe -s -t 00 -f

/s is for shutdown (normal shutdown) the /t is for time before shutdown, 0 is immediate, no waiting

The reason to put in /t 00 is that the default without using /t is 30 seconds.

at the c:\ prompt type shutdown /? and you will get this... and a little more that I am not posting

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.2.9200]
(c) 2012 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>shutdown /?
Usage: shutdown [/i | /l | /s | /r | /g | /a | /p | /h | /e | /o] [/hybrid] [/f]

[/m \\computer][/t xxx][/d [p|u:]xx:yy [/c "comment"]]

No args Display help. This is the same as typing /?.
/? Display help. This is the same as not typing any options.
/i Display the graphical user interface (GUI).
This must be the first option.
/l Log off. This cannot be used with /m or /d options.
/s Shutdown the computer.
/r Full shutdown and restart the computer.
/g Full shutdown and restart the computer. After the system is
rebooted, restart any registered applications.
/a Abort a system shutdown.
This can only be used during the time-out period.
/p Turn off the local computer with no time-out or warning.
Can be used with /d and /f options.
/h Hibernate the local computer.
Can be used with the /f option.
/hybrid Performs a shutdown of the computer and prepares it for fast startup.
Must be used with /s option.
/e Document the reason for an unexpected shutdown of a computer.
/o Go to the advanced boot options menu and restart the computer.
Must be used with /r option.
/m \\computer Specify the target computer.
/t xxx Set the time-out period before shutdown to xxx seconds.
The valid range is 0-315360000 (10 years), with a default of 30.
If the timeout period is greater than 0, the /f parameter is
implied.
/c "comment" Comment on the reason for the restart or shutdown.
Maximum of 512 characters allowed.
/f Force running applications to close without forewarning users.
The /f parameter is implied when a value greater than 0 is
specified for the /t parameter.
/d [p|u:]xx:yy Provide the reason for the restart or shutdown.
p indicates that the restart or shutdown is planned.
u indicates that the reason is user defined.
If neither p nor u is specified the restart or shutdown is
unplanned.
xx is the major reason number (positive integer less than 256).
yy is the minor reason number (positive integer less than 65536).

C:\WINDOWS\system32>
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77
    Memory
    CORSAIR 8GB 2X4 D3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX680 4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 24" LED VG248QE
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG E 256GB SSD 840 PRO -
    SAMSUNG E 120GB SSD840 -
    SEAGATE 1TB PIPELINE
    PSU
    CORSAIR GS800
    Case
    CORSAIR 600T
    Cooling
    CORSAIR HYDRO H100I LIQUID COOLER
    Keyboard
    THERMALTA CHALLENGER ULT GAME-KYBRD
    Mouse
    RAZER DEATHADDER GAME MS BLK-ED
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    APC 1000VA -
    LGELECOEM LG 14X SATA BD BURNER -
    CORSAIR SP120 Fans x 3 -
    NZXT 5.25 USB3 BAY CARD READER -
    HAUPPAUGE COLOSSUS
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