How to Turn Peek at Desktop On or Off in Windows 8 and 8.1
Information
Peek (Aero Peek) is used to give you a preview of the desktop from anywhere in Windows 8. While using Peek, it will show you the desktop with all opened windows as transparent to be able to see what is on the desktop.
This tutorial will show you how to use and turn Peek on or off for your user account in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
This tutorial will show you how to use and turn Peek on or off for your user account in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
Note
When Peek is turned on, you can use it by:
Pressing Windows :winkey: + , (comma) keys
OR
While on the desktop, move and hover your pointer over the Show desktop button (invisible) at the far end of the taskbar to the right of the clock.
Pressing Windows :winkey: + , (comma) keys
OR
While on the desktop, move and hover your pointer over the Show desktop button (invisible) at the far end of the taskbar to the right of the clock.
EXAMPLE: Peek at Desktop in Windows 8
OPTION ONE
To Turn Peek On or Off from Show Desktop Button
1. While on the desktop, right click on the Show desktop button, and do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)
2. To Turn Off Peek
A) Click/tap on Peek at desktop to uncheck it.
3. To Turn On Peek
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on Peek at desktop to check it.
OPTION TWO
To Turn Peek On or Off in Taskbar Properties
1. While on the desktop, right click or press and hold on the taskbar, and click/tap on Properties.
2. In the Taskbar tab, do step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)
3. To Turn Off Peek
A) Uncheck the Use Peek to preview the desktop... box, and click/tap on OK.
4. To Turn On Peek
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Check the Use Peek to preview the desktop... box, and click/tap on OK.
OPTION THREE
To Turn Peek On or Off in Visual Effects
NOTE: This option will also turn taskbar thumbnail live previews on or off.
1. Open Visual Effects, and do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)
3. To Turn Off Peek
NOTE: This will gray out the settings in OPTION ONE and OPTION TWO above.
A) Uncheck the Enable Aero Peek box, and click /tap on OK.
4. To Turn On Peek
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Check the Enable Aero Peek box, and click/tap on OK.
OPTION FOUR
To Turn Peek On or Off using a BAT File
Note
The .bat files below are for the registry key and value below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
DisablePreviewDesktop DWORD
0 = Turn on
1 = Turn off
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
DisablePreviewDesktop DWORD
0 = Turn on
1 = Turn off
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.
2. To Turn On Peek
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click\tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_On_Peek.bat
3. To Turn Off Peek
A) Click\tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_Off_Peek.bat
4. Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run it.
5. If prompted, click\tap on Run.
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.
6. You will now notice your screen flicker as explorer is restarted.
That's it,
Shawn
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