How to Enable or Disable Peek in Windows 11

We show you how to enable or disable the Peek feature in Windows 11, a useful tool for taskbar thumbnail previews and quick desktop views.

The Peek feature in Windows 11 allows users to quickly preview the contents of open windows from the taskbar without having to open them fully. It provides a convenient way to glance at your desktop and open windows with a simple hover or key press. However, some users prefer to disable this feature for performance reasons or personal preference.

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to enable or disable Peek in Windows 11 using multiple methods. Whether you want to disable the taskbar thumbnail live preview, control the Peek at desktop feature, or adjust visual effects, we have all the methods covered.

Why Enable or Disable Peek?

Enabling Peek can improve workflow efficiency by allowing quick previews of open windows. It provides a smooth and intuitive user experience, especially for multitasking. However, disabling Peek can help improve system performance, particularly on older or less powerful machines. Additionally, some users may prefer a more minimalistic desktop experience without constant pop-ups or distractions.

This tutorial will cover three different methods to manage the Peek feature, including adjustments in the Visual Effects settings, the Registry Editor, and the use of REG files. Each method is effective, and we will walk you through the process step by step.

How to Enable or Disable Peek in Visual Effects Performance Options

This method is the simplest way to enable or disable the Peek feature in Windows 11. By adjusting settings in the Visual Effects Performance Options, you can quickly manage how Peek behaves on your system. This method is ideal for users who want to control the Peek feature without delving into advanced settings. 

  1. Open Visual Effects Performance Options
     
    Click on the “Start” menu or press the “Windows key”. Type SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe in the search bar and press Enter.
     
    01.1 Windows 11 - Open SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe
  2. Adjust the Visual Effects settings
     
    Once the “Performance Options” window is open, you can enable or disable Peek. Look for the option that says “Enable Peek” under the “Visual Effects” section. To enable Peek, check the box next to “Enable Peek” (this is the default setting). To disable Peek, uncheck the box next to “Enable Peek”.
     
    01.2 Windows 11 - SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe - Visual Effects - Check Uncheck Enable Peek

How to Enable or Disable Peek Using a .REG File

Using our REG files is an effective way to enable or disable Peek in Windows 11, especially if you prefer to apply changes quickly without navigating through multiple menus. This method involves downloading and merging a specific REG file that alters the registry settings for the Peek feature.

  1. Download the REG File
     
    To start, download our file Enable-Disable_Peek_in_Windows11.zip which contains the appropriate REG files for enabling or disabling Peek.
  2. Right-click the ZIP file and choose “Extract All…”
     
    02.1 Windows 11 - File Explorer - Extract All Zip Folder
  3. Browse to your desired extraction location and click “Extract”
     
    Choose where you want to extract the files and click “Extract“. This prepares the files for use.
     
    02.2 Windows 11 - File Explorer - Extract All Zip Folder - Browse - Extract

  4. Double-click on the .REG file
     
    Navigate to the extracted files and double-click the required file to to apply its changes to the Windows Registry.
     
    For enabling Peek, use “Enable_Peek_for_Current_User_in_Windows11.reg”.
    For disabling Peek, use “Disable_Peek_for_Current_User_in_Windows11.reg”.
     
    02.3 Windows 11 - File Explorer - Open Reg File

  5. Click “Run” on the security warning
     
    If prompted with a security warning, click “Run” to proceed with the changes.

  6. Press “Yes” to the Registry Editor pop-up
     
    Confirm the action in the Registry Editor pop-up by clicking “Yes“. This will apply the registry changes needed to restore the classic File Explorer.

    02.4 Windows 11 - File Explorer - Open Reg File - Continue

  7. Press “OK” to the success dialog
     
    After confirming, a success dialog will appear. Restart your PC or log out and back in to apply the changes and enjoy the classic File Explorer interface.
     
    02.5 Windows 11 - File Explorer - Open Reg File - Continue - Accept
  8. Restart Your Computer
     
    To apply the changes, restart your computer. Once rebooted, the Peek feature will either be enabled or disabled, depending on the REG file you applied.

How to Modify Peek Settings Through Windows Registry Editor

If you  prefer a hands-on approach, the Windows Registry Editor offers an advanced method to enable or disable Peek. This method allows you to manually adjust the registry settings for the Aero Peek feature. 

  1. Open Windows Registry Editor
     
    To begin, you need to open the Windows Registry Editor. Press the “Windows key + R” to open the Run” dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter”. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes” to allow access to the registry editor.
  2. Navigate to the DWM Registry Key
     
    Now, you will need to find the registry key that controls the Peek settings. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM

  3. Modify the EnableAeroPeek Value
     
    Within the DWM registry key, locate the entry for EnableAeroPeek”.
     
    If the EnableAeroPeek” value does not exist, right-click in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value”. Name the new entry EnableAeroPeek
     
    Double-click on EnableAeroPeek” to modify its value. To enable Peek, set the value to 1. To disable Peek, set the value to 0.
     
    Click OK” to save the changes.
  4. Restart Your Computer
     
    To apply the registry changes, restart your computer. Close the Registry Editor. Restart your system for the changes to take effect.

Related: How to Add an Internet Speed Taskbar Monitor on Windows 11 or Windows 10

Monitoring internet speed directly from the taskbar is not only convenient but also essential for those who want to ensure their network is performing optimally. Whether you’re troubleshooting slow connections or simply keeping an eye on your bandwidth usage, having real-time network data at your fingertips can be a game-changer. In our other guide, we show you how you can show an internet speed monitor for uploads and downloads on the Windows taskbar with two different tools.
 
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Related: How to Move the Taskbar in Windows 11 and Windows 10

With the advent of Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a centered taskbar and Start menu, aiming to align with modern design trends and user behaviors. However, not all users have embraced this change. If you’re among those who want to experiment with different taskbar positions for a more personalized setup, Windows offers the flexibility to move the taskbar to suit your preferences. In our other guide, we show you how to move the Windows taskbar to other places.
 
https://winbuzzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Featured-How-to-Move-the-Taskbar-in-Windows-11-and-Windows-10.jpg

Related: How to Make the Windows 11 Taskbar Smaller or Bigger

For the Windows 11 taskbar, there isn’t a “small icons” or “labels” option to shrink it down. Luckily there is a workaround to make taskbar icons bigger or smaller in Windows 11 using a handy registry hack, which we are showing you in our other guide.
 
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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About the Peek Feature in Windows 11

Why is my Windows 11 taskbar Peek not working?

If Peek isn’t working, first check that “Enable Peek” is selected in the Visual Effects settings. Open the Performance Options by typing “SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe” into the Start menu, and ensure the box for “Enable Peek” is checked. Additionally, confirm that the “EnableAeroPeek” registry value is set to “1” under the registry key “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM”. If these settings are correct, ensure your graphics drivers are up-to-date and that system performance isn’t limited by power-saving modes.

What is the shortcut for Peek in Windows 11?

The shortcut for using Peek to temporarily view your desktop is “Windows + ,”. Hold these keys down to peek at the desktop, and release them to return to your open windows. This shortcut works as long as Aero Peek is supported on your system.

How do I disable thumbnails in Windows 11?

To disable thumbnails in File Explorer, open “Folder Options” by searching for it in the Start menu or Control Panel. Navigate to the “View” tab, and check the option “Always show icons, never thumbnails”. This replaces thumbnail previews with generic icons, which can reduce system resource usage.

How do I enable or disable Windows features in Windows 11?

To manage Windows features, open the “Windows Features” dialog by typing “optionalfeatures” into the Start menu. From here, you can check or uncheck specific features like “.NET Framework”, “Hyper-V”, or “SMB”. After applying changes, Windows may prompt you to restart your computer to complete the configuration.

How can I improve the performance of Peek on low-spec systems?

On systems with limited resources, disabling Peek can improve performance by reducing graphical processing requirements. You can disable Peek via Performance Options by unchecking “Enable Peek” or by setting “EnableAeroPeek” to “0” in the registry. For additional optimization, disable unnecessary animations, transparency effects, and other visual enhancements in “Ease of Access” or “Performance Options” settings.

How do I fix Peek if it’s not showing the taskbar previews?

To fix issues with Peek not showing taskbar previews, ensure “Enable Peek” is active in the Visual Effects settings and verify the “EnableAeroPeek” registry value is set to “1” under “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM”. Restart the Desktop Window Manager process by opening Task Manager, right-clicking “Desktop Window Manager” under the “Processes” tab, and selecting “Restart”. Additionally, check that power-saving modes or other system restrictions aren’t limiting visual effects.

How can I view Aero Peek even when multiple windows are open?

To view Aero Peek when multiple windows are open, hover over the “Show Desktop” button located at the far-right edge of the taskbar. Alternatively, press “Windows + comma” to temporarily peek at the desktop without minimizing your open windows.

How do I turn off taskbar thumbnail previews without disabling Peek?

To disable taskbar thumbnail previews while keeping Peek enabled, you can adjust Performance Options by unchecking specific animations under Visual Effects. Alternatively, edit the registry key “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced” and set the “Ease of Access” value to a higher number (in milliseconds). This delays thumbnail previews without disabling Peek entirely.

Can I disable Peek without affecting other visual effects in Windows 11?

Yes, you can selectively disable Peek by unchecking “Enable Peek” in Performance Options while leaving other visual effects, such as transparency or animations, enabled. This allows you to customize the system’s appearance without turning off all advanced visual settings.

What happens if I turn off Peek on my system?

Turning off Peek disables taskbar thumbnail previews and prevents the “Show Desktop” button from temporarily revealing the desktop when hovered over. This can help reduce distractions and improve performance on low-spec systems but removes the convenience of quick previews.

Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus has been covering the tech industry for more than 15 years. He is holding a Master´s degree in International Economics and is the founder and managing editor of Winbuzzer.com.
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