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.
- Open Visual Effects Performance Options
Click on the “Start” menu or press the “Windows key”. TypeSystemPropertiesPerformance.exe
in the search bar and press Enter.
- 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”.
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.
- 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. - Right-click the ZIP file and choose “Extract All…”
-
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.
-
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”.
-
Click “Run” on the security warning
If prompted with a security warning, click “Run” to proceed with the changes. -
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. - 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.
- 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.
- 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. Typeregedit
and press “Enter”. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click “Yes” to allow access to the registry editor. - 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
- 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 entryEnableAeroPeek
.
Double-click on “EnableAeroPeek” to modify its value. To enable Peek, set the value to1
. To disable Peek, set the value to0
.
Click “OK” to save the changes. - Restart Your Computer
To apply the registry changes, restart your computer. Close the Registry Editor. Restart your system for the changes to take effect.
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Related: How to Make the Windows 11 Taskbar Smaller or Bigger

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.