When you’ve got a lot going on and you need to get to a file on your Desktop, there is a quick way to do it. Press F11 (fn+F11 depending on your keyboard settings) and all of the windows for all of your apps will clear off to the side, giving you access to your Desktop files. You can then start a drag and drop movement, press F11 again in the middle of the drag, and your windows will all come screaming back, ready to receive the file.
Get To the Desktop
Comments: 9 Responses to “Get To the Desktop”
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F10 works better for me.
Right now (with my prefs set to show) on my keyboard it only changes the volume - how do I get it to do the F11 function without losing the volume control?
With your settings you need to also press the Fn key.
I am using an extended keyboard on an iMac - it does not have an Fn key so what key do I use in place of that - neither option, control or command seem to work - it still just changes the volume.
Are you sure it doesn't have an fn key? They have been on all Mac keyboards for many many years. Look above the arrow keys, next to "home"
I also notice that the F10 key only expands the Application you are in.
For example you need to be in Finder to expand the desktop.
In Safari, the F10 expands the windows, if you have more than one window.
Maybe this is a Lion thing.
I use this feature all the time, but it's a lot easier on a trackpad. Just swipe all four fingers up to clear all windows and back down again to get them back. Easy!
I use CMD+F3 for that...
Thanks, KrisC. That's the way it works on my MBP-15, too. I've wanted to use the drag-n-drop as Gary described it, but F11 never worked. Hot Corner does, clunky but one-handed.