Recent macOS versions have a handy built-in utility that lets you quickly minimize all apps and access your desktop simply by clicking anywhere empty, and now, thanks to a Microsoft engineer, Windows 11 can have the same experience.
Scott Hanselman released PeekDesktop, a small app that brings macOS's "Show Desktop" feature to Windows. Once installed, this app runs in the background and works just as described on the official website:
PeekDesktop brings macOS Sonoma’s “click wallpaper to reveal desktop” behavior to Windows 10 and 11. Click empty wallpaper to minimize open windows, interact with desktop icons without accidental triggers, then restore everything with a click on an app, the taskbar, or the wallpaper again.
While the app is very minimal and has no dedicated graphics user interface, you get to choose between a few options. You can select the effect (minimize windows, macOS-like fly away, or the classic "Show Desktop" feature from the bottom-right corner of Windows' taskbar) and switch from single click to double click mode. The latter will help you avoid accidental triggers and make the experience more deliberate.
It is worth noting that you can not just minimize apps. Click the desktop again, and PeekDesktop will return all minimized windows to their corresponding locations. And while you can hit the bottom-right corner of the taskbar, having a much bigger target with no need for precise aiming (especially if you have a large display) is a much more convenient option. Note that the app does not compromise the ability to work with desktop icons and files, and you can still drag icons, folders, and apps across your desktop as usual.
You can download PeekDesktop from its GitHub repository for free.
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