Run: "gnome-keybinding-properties" Click Add Type something like "Toggle Destop icons" as the name Enter "gconftool-2 --toggle /apps/nautilus/preferences/show_desktop" Click Apply Then click in the Shortcut colimn for the new Action an hit a key of your choice (I use F11). Done. Now hitting F11 will turn on/off the desktop items. thansk to 'http://psankar.blogspot.com/'