In Windows NT 4 (as well as Windows 98 and 95), the Briefcase icon is a permanent feature on the Desktop. The Windows 2000 designers apparently figured out that it wasn't the most popular in town, so they gave it a hiding place.

To roll out the briefcase in Windows 2000, just right-click on a blank spot on the Desktop and select New, Briefcase from the popup menu. Presto, you have a nice, new, unscuffed Briefcase on your Desktop.