Question: Before I moved up to Windows XP I used Windows ME and I have to say that XP is much better in every way except one.

With ME, when I had several Windows open on my desktop, for example a Word document and e-mails and others like that, I could minimise all the open Windows instantly by pressing the 'show desktop' button which was in my taskbar at the bottom of the screen next to the Start button.

Can you tell me how to place a 'show desktop' button in XP?

A friend of mine has one in the taskbar on his XP PC but he didn't put it there and doesn't remember how it was done.

This at least tells me it's possible, I just don't know how.

Answer: I agree this is a very useful button when you really get going with your XP desktop and then you might want to access icons which are buried beneath the open Windows or even to just simplify the layers of opened items on your screen.

It's really convenient to just click the 'Show Desktop' button and immediately all the open Windows minimise.

You can then either click on another shortcut to go to a different application or select one which is already open, but minimised, from the Taskbar.

I have a feeling that there is a really simple and elegant way of creating the 'Show Desktop' shortcut icon in the Taskbar and if someone knows how, please e-mail me with the simple solution - but in the meantime all I can do is tell you how I do it the long way. Right click on any unused spot on your XP desktop and a menu will appear, select 'New' then select 'Shortcut'.

Left click to go to the Create Shortcut Wizard and under the 'Type the location of the item;' question, go directly to 'Browse'. In the 'Browse For Folder' menu highlight 'Desktop', which is at the top and click 'OK'.

You will then return to the 'Create Shortcut' wizard, click 'Next', and then you'll be able to see your newly created shortcut, already entitled 'Desktop'.

Click 'Finish' and a new desktop symbol will appear on your actual desktop.

I know that's not where you wanted it to show but bear with me, there is one more step.

Right click on your Taskbar, that's the blue bar at the bottom of the screen to the immediate right of the Start button, select the 'Properties' item on the menu which appears and another menu will appear with the heading 'Taskbar and Start Menu Properties'.

On the Taskbar tab click to unlock the Taskbar and put a tick in the 'Show Quick Launch' box. Click 'OK' at the bottom.

You will now see that the 'Show Desktop' shortcut you want along with others have suddenly appeared in your Taskbar. Right click on each of the unwanted shortcuts in turn and in the menu which pops up select 'Delete'.

Go back and select 'Lock the Taskbar' and you should be left with only your new 'Show Desktop' shortcut where you can use it.

Don't forget to highlight, right click and delete the redundant 'Show Desktop' shortcut on the Desktop.

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Question: In a column a while ago you recommended End-It-All2 as a good free program for closing the processes which interfere with disc defragmentation and scandisk in Windows ME.

I looked for it on the internet but I couldn't find it anywhere for free and I'd rather not pay for it if it's being given away somewhere else on the web.

Answer: You can still download Enditall2 from home.ptd.net http://home.ptd.net/~don5408/toolbox/enditall/ or by following the hyperlinks you will see on the ComputerWorks homesite at www.computerworksbermuda.com.

Direct clickable hyperlinks to all the software sites which we like and discuss in these columns are listed there.

Also, printable PDF files of all the past columns are available too and you can also search the FAQ's to read past questions and answers sorted by subject .

If you still find you are having trouble with the download of Enditall2, e-mail me directly at computerworks@logic.bm