Try this:

Run RegEdit
Navigate to [HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
Right-click DisablePreviewDesktop and select Modify
Enter a value of 1 to disable Preview Desktop functionality or 0 to re-enable
Close RegEdit

In reply to a post by AEP:

I take it you're not familiar with Windows 7

I am very familiar with it thank you. I simply misread the post.

This app will allow you to remove the button totally

http://rammichael.com/7-taskbar-tweaker

In reply to a post by Deadbeat:

Try this:

Run RegEdit
Navigate to [HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced]
Right-click DisablePreviewDesktop and select Modify
Enter a value of 1 to disable Preview Desktop functionality or 0 to re-enable
Close RegEdit

Doesn't work.

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

In reply to a post by Deadbeat:

Try this:

Doesn't work.

indeed, that just stops the information vanishing if you hover over that spot.

you could use the browser in true full screen (press f11), (f11 to return too)

I don't see how you can accidentally hit the button. I didn't realise that was a button until this thread started.

It's very useful, and its place is more logical than it was previously (as the old "show desktop" was in the quicklaunch area, when really, you are not quicklaunching anything...). It is still there in Windows 8, just invisible.

The freeware program I posted will do the job, and has been blogged about by Microsoft developers so it won't be too bad (but, still unsupported of course!)

I think it's already been explained how that can happen when using the scroll down button. Personally, I use the PgUp/PgDn keys, because I prefer the keyboard to the mouse where possible, but I can see how it could easily happen. It really should be possible to easily remove this button. That's what I like about Linux desktops and window managers - they are very configurable (well, probably not Ubuntu, but that's not real Linux ).

I have read the thread but in 2 years I've never managed to hit the button once. Like you PgDown is a godsend.

I've never accidentally clicked it it but I have rolled over it accidentally at times. I can't remember the last time I used the up and down arrows on the scroll bar, I just drag the scroll box -- much faster. I do know someone who should know better who uses the arrows to scroll down massive lists (in active directory) and will spend 30 seconds holding the button down rather than the 2 seconds it takes me to either just use "find" or drag down the list.