Windows 11 tool brings a macOS feature to the desktop and I can't believe this useful trick isn't in Microsoft's OS already

Date:
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:04:24 +0000

Description:
A Microsoft exec made a utility to bring this cool macOS feature to Windows 11.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter A Microsoft executive has made a small utility for Windows 11 The app is called PeekDesktop and lets you minimize all windows by clicking on an empty piece
of the desktop It's very much the same as a macOS feature, and while there
are keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11 to do this already, this is more convenient, and handy for Mac defectors A Microsoft executive has put
together a little utility that brings a neat piece of functionality to
Windows 11 , and it's something that macOS users will be familiar with.

Windows Latest reports that Scott Hanselman, a VP, member of technical staff at Microsoft and one of the players behind the fix Windows 11 campaign has made a tool called PeekDesktop . It's a very simple app that allows you to "click your desktop to peek at it", working in the same way as the 'click wallpaper to reveal desktop' feature seen with macOS Sonoma . Article continues below You may like Apple's MacBook Neo triumph could also be great news for Windows 11 laptops I love PowerToys and it could give Windows 11 a new top menu bar Windows 11 bug breaks entire desktop for some users luckily there's a fix

The point is that it's a quick way to minimize all open windows, especially
if you have a lot of them, and get to see the desktop underneath, just by clicking on a blank piece of desktop (the wallpaper, as opposed to any icon). Click again (on a blank spot) and the active windows are reinstated.

While it sounds very simple, almost to the point of being too basic, I can guarantee you that this is one of those neat shortcuts that'll become indispensable once you get used to having it.

And if you're worried about the resource usage involved here, don't be, as PeekDesktop uses less than 2MB when sitting in your system tray (in the taskbar) watching for your clicks.

It's worth noting that there's also a version for Arm -based laptops (Snapdragon X), as well as for PCs with AMD and Intel CPUs. Get daily
insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Analysis: comforting clicks (Image credit: Shutterstock/Ham patipak) Of course, this ability is already in Windows 11. You can press the Windows key + D to minimize all windows and get straight to the desktop already. (Or Windows key + M , although that can't be used to restore active windows by pressing it again). Or indeed you can bind this function to one of your spare mouse buttons, if you have a mouse with lots of them, as I have (I use this power a lot).

However, having the ability to click on the desktop is a more convenient way of actioning this than a keyboard shortcut that involves pressing two keys. Indeed, I can't believe this is a feature that hasn't been brought in before now, because it's surely not difficult to implement, and is a useful piece of honing of an already existing power in Windows 11.

As noted, it's something in macOS already, and what's interesting is that
when asked about the feature on X and the way it duplicates Windows 11's existing keyboard shortcuts, as mentioned Hanselman said that it's intentionally designed to be the same as how it works on macOS "so Mac folks feel comfortable". What to read next Windows 11 could finally get one of the most-requested Windows 10 features Microsoft says a 'chill OS with fewer upsells is a goal' for Windows 11 Switching from Mac to Windows 11 Pro? Here are the 7 things you need to know right away

I wonder if this ability might be something that makes the cut for Windows 11 in the future, and more to the point, whether Microsoft is looking at the Mac as a more serious rival these days. Mainly because macOS has definitely
become a bigger threat to Windows 11, at least in the world of laptops , with the launch of Apple 's newest budget-oriented notebook.

That is, of course, the MacBook Neo, which has been very well-received by reviewers and consumers alike, which must worry Microsoft. Particularly when the company has had to hike price tags across its entire Surface range in a big way , making these devices look a whole lot less tempting even compared
to Apple's MacBooks outside the much more affordable Neo. The best laptops
for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best laptops 1. Best overall: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5 2. Best budget: Apple MacBook Neo 3. Best Windows 11 laptop Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch 4. Best thin and light: Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 5. Best Ultrabook Asus Zenbook S 16 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/windows-11-tool-brings-a-macos-fea ture-to-the-desktop-and-i-cant-believe-this-useful-trick-isnt-in-microsofts-os -already


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