Preview Files in Windows Without Opening Them with PowerToys Peek

A folder of candidate photos, notes or exports can turn a quick check into several app windows. PowerToys Peek opens a floating preview for a selected file from File Explorer. Press Space with a file selected, then browse the folder or a smaller group you selected first. Microsoft lists support for images, Office documents, videos, web pages, Markdown, text and developer files; exact support depends on the file type. Microsoft’s Peek documentation describes the supported categories and controls.

This guide follows PowerToys 0.98.0, released on 17 March 2026. It uses Microsoft’s documentation available before 20 March; Jitsumi has not independently tested the workflow on a Windows PC.

Install PowerToys and enable Peek

1. Install PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or Microsoft’s official version 0.98.0 release page . Microsoft also documents installing PowerToys through WinGet.
2. Open PowerToys Settings and check the Home page to confirm Peek is enabled. The Home page can turn individual utilities on or off.
3. Open Peek in Settings and check Activation shortcut. Space is the default starting with PowerToys 0.95, and you can change it if another shortcut suits your workflow better.

If the shortcut does nothing, make sure PowerToys is running, Peek is enabled, and you are using the shortcut shown in Peek settings. A different release may show slightly different controls, so follow the labels for the version installed on your PC.

Preview one file or a shortlist

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder you want to review.
2. Select one file and press Space. Peek opens a preview without launching the file’s full application.
3. To review only a few candidates, select those files in File Explorer before opening Peek. Use the arrow keys to move through the current folder; with multiple files selected, navigation stays within that selection.
4. If you are comparing images of different sizes, pin the Peek window to keep its current size and position as you move between files. Unpin it when you want the window to adjust for the next image.
5. When a file deserves a closer look, choose Open with or press Enter to open it in its default application.

This selection-first method is useful when filenames do not tell you which export or reference you need. Peek can show enough to identify many common files; open the normal application when you need to edit, inspect a complex layout or use controls that a preview does not provide.

Keep the Delete key in mind

Peek can move the currently previewed file to the Recycle Bin when you press Delete. Microsoft says a confirmation dialog appears by default, and the confirmation can be disabled in Peek settings. Leave it enabled while reviewing a batch so a key press does not remove a file before you notice it.

A preview is also not a security check. If a file arrived unexpectedly, do not treat a readable preview as proof that the file is safe to open.

Use Peek to decide which file to open next. Move to the default application when you need the full document, editing tools or a closer inspection.