To get the “show desktop” icon back on the task bar where it used to be with XP:
Right click start barSelect toolbars/new toolbar
Type or past the following into the location bar
%appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
Click on the “Select Folder” button
Grab the move handles of the left-most toolbar and move it to the right of the new Quicklaunch toolbar
Right click on the move-handles of the quicklaunch toolar
Uncheck both Show Text and Show Title
Right click again and select View/Large Icons if you so desire.
Link to illustrated instructions:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/add-the-quick-launch-bar-to-the-taskbar-in-windows-7/