Show the desktop on a Mac, like Windows+D

Quick answer

Press Fn-F11, or spread your thumb and three fingers apart on the trackpad. Every window slides to the edge of the screen, and the same move brings them back.

Why it happens

On Windows, Windows+D hides everything to show the desktop. The Mac does the same thing with Show Desktop, but it uses different keys and nothing is minimized: the windows just move out of the way. On most Mac laptops F11 is a volume key, which is why you need to hold Fn with it.

How to fix it

Press Fn-F11. On some keyboards, Command with the Mission Control key (F3) does the same.
On a trackpad, place your thumb and three fingers together and spread them apart. Pinch them back together to bring the windows back.
To show the desktop by clicking an empty part of your wallpaper, open Desktop & Dock and find the setting under Desktop & Stage Manager. On macOS 26 it's the Show Desktop pop-up, and on macOS 27 it's called Click wallpaper to show desktop. Pick the option that isn't limited to Stage Manager.
macOS 26 Tahoe Desktop & Dock›Desktop & Stage Manager›Show Desktop
macOS 27 Golden Gate Desktop & Dock›Desktop & Stage Manager›Click wallpaper to show desktop
Click a window peeking in at the edge of the screen, or press Fn-F11 again, to put everything back.

The wallpaper setting has a different name: Show Desktop on macOS 26, Click wallpaper to show desktop on macOS 27. It's in the same place on both. The keys and gesture are the same.

Still not fixed?

Fn-F11 does nothing? Open Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts…, then Mission Control, and make sure Show Desktop is ticked. You can set your own key there too.
Keyboard›Keyboard Shortcuts…›Mission Control›Show Desktop
Gesture not working? Turn on Show Desktop in Trackpad settings, under More Gestures.
Trackpad›More Gestures›Show Desktop
You can also set a screen corner to show the desktop. Click Hot Corners… in Desktop & Dock and choose Desktop for a corner, then push the pointer into that corner.
Desktop & Dock›Mission Control›Hot Corners…
If none of the keys, gestures or corners work even after a restart, contact Apple Support.

Terminal

Open Terminal (Applications › Utilities), paste this line and press Return.

defaults write com.apple.WindowManager EnableStandardClickToShowDesktop -bool true

To undo:

defaults write com.apple.WindowManager EnableStandardClickToShowDesktop -bool false

Pro details

Makes a wallpaper click show the desktop.

Questions people ask

What is the Mac shortcut for Windows+D?

Fn-F11 shows the desktop. Press it again to bring your windows back.

How do I get my windows back after showing the desktop?

Press Fn-F11 again, pinch your thumb and three fingers together, or click a window at the edge of the screen.

Why do all my windows slide away when I click the desktop?

The wallpaper click setting is on. In Desktop & Dock, set it to the Stage Manager only option to stop that.

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Do it in one click with PinSet.

Press ⌃ ⌥ Space and type “what's the mac version of windows key plus d”. PinSet opens Desktop & Dock › Desktop & Stage Manager in System Settings and rings Show Desktop (Click wallpaper to show desktop on macOS 27). On macOS 27 it can also make the change for you, with Undo. One of 2,400+ checked Mac fixes. Works offline.

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