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Microsoft in their infinite wisdom has replaced the Hide Desktop icon with Copilot.
(programming.dev)
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
You can just turn that off. You know that, right?
EDIT: also, the icon doesn't show up in the position the OP's screenshot shows it, at least not in my experience. It showed up right next to the start button for me, but you CAN move it around the taskbar if you want.
Windows has overtaken Linux in the "requires customization" department
I spent hours the other day uninstalling adware from my laptop after reinstalling windows on it. It's ridiculous.