How to access files on desktop when many windows are open?

Question

Level 1

1 points

How to access files on desktop when many windows are open?

I have been a happy and proud Mac user for over a decade now, and am a source of tips and help to my older brother, who got his first Mac last year... but he came to me with a problem this past weekend, that I couldn't help him with.

Issue - when he has several applications, or windows open at the same time, and needs to get to something on his desktop, there is no way for him to get to them, unless he minimizes windows to get them out of the way, so as to see his desktop and files so as to get to them.

That has been an annoying thing with me also, as I usually have several photo apps open, and/or windows, and then I need something that I have on my desktop, problem is it's buried under all of these windows over it! And I have to do this pain in the neck dragging of windows over to the left side of the screen so as to get to the files I want that are along the right side.

Yes, I know there is Exposé, but that doesn't do it, it moves all the windows so as to select an individual window, and that is all neat and good, and love that... but, you can't get to things on your desktop!

And it just amazed both my brother and me, that Apple doesn't have such a simple means for one to be able to access one's files that lay on their desktop, that are buried under windows?

Or, is there?

iMac 27" 3.06 GHz Intel Core Duo / Macbook Air 13", 1.86 GHz Intel Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Feb 2, 2012 3:47 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 2, 2012 3:52 PM in response to MrJPH

Yes, Exposé INCLUDES a "go to desktop" mode. I believe the default keypress is cmd-F3, but you can change that, or set an action when you mouse into a certain corner (that's what I prefer). System Preferences - Mission Control (if you're on Lion) or Expose (if you're on 10.6). Also check out the Hot Corners in either place to set corner actions.

Matt

Reply

Answer 2

MrJPH Author

Level 1

1 points

Feb 2, 2012 4:01 PM in response to Matt Clifton

Matt, you rock! Thank you! That is exactly what I wanted, and my brother!

I have Lion, so I set my F5 key to be my Show Desktop - what a beautiful thing!!! I knew Apple had to have something so handy and simple! Thank you!

My brother is still using Snow Leopard, but will direct him to how to do so under System Preferences, with Exposé...

Thank you again, Matt! I greatly appreciate your time and help!

Reply

Answer 3

Feb 2, 2012 4:07 PM in response to MrJPH

I know three options off the top of my head.

1) Use Mission Control and set a keyboard command to show the Desktop (mines F11).

2) Click the Finder icon in the Dock to open a Finder window and use the Desktop icon in the sidebar to display the contents of the Desktop in the window.

3) click on any visible portion of the Desktop (if you have the Dock always showing usually some part of the Desktop is available to either side) and then do ⌘-shift-H (File menu -> hide others) to hide everything else. Of course as you want to get back to work you have to reselect each app in the Dock to show those windows.

Reply