Space to activate peek view.

[DanFrag]

Description of the new feature / enhancement

Please, is more easy to activate the fast view of the elemente using only the space key, just like a a Mac system.

Scenario when this would be used?

When i like to determinate the shortcut, use only space is not posible.

Supporting information

[The-MAZZTer]

This is probably a bad idea since it would activate whenever you're renaming a file or typing in a an address or search query and try to type a space.

[WitherZuo]

This is probably a bad idea since it would activate whenever you're renaming a file or typing in a an address or search query and try to type a space.

Another QuickLook tool does not have this problem, using only the space key to quickly view the file, and does not conflict with the address bar and renaming operations. That said, triggering with the space key alone is completely possible. Like this: QL-Win/QuickLook

[AkazaRenn]

This is probably a bad idea since it would activate whenever you're renaming a file or typing in a an address or search query and try to type a space.

Another QuickLook tool does not have this problem, using only the space key to quickly view the file, and does not conflict with the address bar and renaming operations. That said, triggering with the space key alone is completely possible. Like this: QL-Win/QuickLook

Bad thing is that this project is under GPL so the developers here cannot take it as a reference, but only to know there's such a possibility...

I do like the idea of a single space key though.

[DanFrag]

This is probably a bad idea since it would activate whenever you're renaming a file or typing in a an address or search query and try to type a space.

Another QuickLook tool does not have this problem, using only the space key to quickly view the file, and does not conflict with the address bar and renaming operations. That said, triggering with the space key alone is completely possible. Like this: QL-Win/QuickLook

Yeah!! actually, I'm using QuickLook, so it is completely possible, would be nice to have the same behavior on the peek view and use only one app.

[NewtonChutney]

Yeah!! actually, I'm using QuickLook, so it is completely possible, would be nice to have the same behavior on the peek view and use only one app.

Totally true! Another thing is that QuickLook doesn't take focus, and let's us navigate in file explorer as usual.. But peek only allows left/right.. And I can't use up/down when in detail view of file explorer for eg.

And another case when the focus shouldn't be taken by the popup, is when files are being selected in the file picker popup. We use QuickLook to navigate to the proper file in preview, and the file is actually on focus, so after we deactivate the popup [with esc/space again] we have the file readily selected in the dialog. We only need to hit ok/upload/whatever.

With this workflow not being addressed by the peek utility, it doesn't completely satisfy the criteria for a universal preview utility like QuickLook.

[forrest-herman]

I also use QuickLook and can't switch to Peek unless they allow using Space key only to activate!

[Okami-Oh]

PowerToys Peek does not enhance the workflow or improve efficiency because the activation process, which involves using the space bar in combination with another key, is too cumbersome. If a double-click can open a file, then using PowerToys Peek with a shortcut should not be more difficult. A simple press of the space bar should be sufficient to operate Peek, and anything more complicated is not an efficient way to use the feature.

[mardulas]

PowerToys Peek does not enhance the workflow or improve efficiency because the activation process, which involves using the space bar in combination with another key, is too cumbersome. If a double-click can open a file, then using PowerToys Peek with a shortcut should not be more difficult. A simple press of the space bar should be sufficient to operate Peek, and anything more complicated is not an efficient way to use the feature.

Also, it's useless if not closed in the same manner as in QuickLook or on macOS.

[Tommasov]

Yep i'd like the spacebar only I'm a long time user of quicklook, it is powerful and support a variety of file type, but it crashes pretty often. The main reason i would switch to peek view is its stability, but we are far far behind quicklook.

[NewtonChutney]

Yep i'd like the spacebar only I'm a long time user of quicklook, it is powerful and support a variety of file type, but it crashes pretty often.

Yepp..

In the case of office files, crashes are due to incorrect MS Office installations at times.. My workplace's office installation is so bonked, that enabling preview in File Explorer doesn't work either.. ☠️

So, peek hasn't solved my issue. 🥲

[kokojacket]

Strong request for support Click the space bar to use it

[xM0DI]

+1 request for spacebar for peek usage.

[espiox]

This is absolutely holding me back from switching from QuickLook to Peek (which I would love to do, rather than have two different tools running for the same thing). Just pressing Space works brilliantly in QuickLook and on Mac.

[NewtonChutney]

Could QuickLook be integrated into powertoys? It's UI is also much snappier than Peek..

Work would be needed on peeking Office files with an MS Office installation..

[sandervv]

Support this 100%

Known standard for software of this type both on windows and across other operating systems.

[LoganDark]

This needs to happen before I can even consider Peek as am alternative to QuickLook.

[AudreyAP]

+1. I already use alt-space for Run, so the only remaining option is control-space which is wildly uncomfortable.

There is a reason why both MacOS and QuickLook (the open source reimplementation) both use spacebar-only for this.

[clicky6]

+1 Much needed feature, those who don't want can remain on the default Ctrl+space.

[4lt3r3d]

I'm also using QuickLook and was happy that Powertools adopted the feature so I could finally uninstall it. That is until finding out that for 1) the "space bar" hotkey alone is not allowed and you must use another key to implement it which why use that when Mac and QuickLook do the same thing with just one key? Also, I'm sorry but QuickLook looks a lot sleeker with a smaller top bezel plus more is just way feature-rich. Those saying that it can't be implemented and that it would activate while renaming a file or jump to the address bar just isn't true as the file is already selected when the peeking is enabled.

• Make using just the space bar optional
• Shorten the top bezel (in order for images to have more real estate for when opened)
• add more functionality (better navigation, etc.)

[kokojacket]

It's been half a year, and this thing doesn't even seem to be on their list of plans, and it really ignores the user's request completely

[clicky6]

It's been half a year, and this thing doesn't even seem to be on their list of plans, and it really ignores the user's request completely

It would be quicker if someone forks it and implements this but it would be too much of a hassle.

[jan-the-maker]

Looks like my request was a duplicate. Sorry for that. Could we -as a quick fix - maybe first get: activate peek via Spacebar (if explorer element is selected) and close it again via spacebar when peek is active?

That would at least allow a workflow where we can press space for a single item - the same way we use quick look on other systems or with other quick look implementations.

It would really help ...

[clicky6]

It's been half a year, and this thing doesn't even seem to be on their list of plans, and it really ignores the user's request completely

It would be quicker if someone forks it and implements this but it would be too much of a hassle.

Has someone forked it with including the space bar feature?

[TheHangryGames]

PowerToys Peek does not enhance the workflow or improve efficiency because the activation process, which involves using the space bar in combination with another key, is too cumbersome. If a double-click can open a file, then using PowerToys Peek with a shortcut should not be more difficult. A simple press of the space bar should be sufficient to operate Peek, and anything more complicated is not an efficient way to use the feature.

+1 +1 +1

After 20+ years of macOS, the habit of just pressing Space is second nature to so many of us. Having to complicate this and press multiple buttons at once for something I do hundreds of times per day is simply not an improvement to my workflow. I really want to have as few third party apps installed as possible, and would uninstall Quicklook in a heartbeat if Powertoys met this need as well — but until this is implemented there is unfortunately zero reason to do it.

I've been watching this issue for months hoping for this to be fixed because it seemed like such an obvious improvement to implement, and genuinely don't understand why it's not being done? So figured it might be worth adding my voice in case that helps the issue get prioritised.

[ricjcs]

I'm also waiting for this feature, simply using the space key is much better!

[Tommasov]

I'm also waiting for this feature, simply using the space key is much better!

I agree and it's easy for everyone. Mac user who use a PC time to time? The feature will be there exactly as expected

[slizgi]

Yes, definitely missing feature. And as mentioned earlier, QuickLook don't have any problem working this way.

[NewtonChutney]

Well I see one big blocker from the explorer side.. Space no longer just focuses on the files.. But also the details pane of it is active after the file is selected.. Being a daily user of QuickLook.. The first selection is alright but as soon as I press space to unselect the file (to dismiss the popup) the share menu pops up instead. A very clear regression in Windows 11's new file explorer for those who've been used to the QuickLook workflow.. ᓚᘏᗢ

[jan-the-maker]

Can we all agree that a simple temporary quick fix would be ...

space in finder starts peak & another space closes peak again?

I know this is far from optimal but at least it would help with the situations where one just wants to look into a single file or a handful off? I'd rather press space repeatedly than having the current way of doing things. A full QuickLook implementation is obviously the goal but we should first get the "80% time and sanity safer" first. I worry nobody wants to take on the QuickLook thingy right now so having a simple extra option in peak as described would be really really great. Make it with a giant red warning button but please give us something.

[deanmongel]

I write a Autohotkey script to use space active peek and another space to close it. Now it works fine in my win11 laptop. Here is the script.

https://github.com/deanmongel/use-space-in-peek-of-powertoys

[jan-the-maker]

I write a Autohotkey script to use space active peek and another space to close it. Now it works fine in my win11 laptop. Here is the script.

https://github.com/deanmongel/use-space-in-peek-of-powertoys

Awesome will check it out directly.

[jan-the-maker]

I write a Autohotkey script to use space active peek and another space to close it. Now it works fine in my win11 laptop. Here is the script. https://github.com/deanmongel/use-space-in-peek-of-powertoys

Awesome will check it out directly.

OMG it works perfect! And its fast! 90% Solution. Love it! Thanks for making it! Just one question. Is there a way to make it compatible with AutoHotKey 2.0 ? Just needed to install V1 beside V2. And to make it perfect it would be awesome if there would be a way to get explorer to select the last file opened in peek after closing maybe? or a way to copy its file path. I know too much work for a quick fix and nothing essential BUT maybe someone with some AHK experience has a simple solution?

[NewtonChutney]

AHK has been awsm since a decade! 😂 Here's one Tom Scott video of him trying to build a fully decked emoji keyboard set..

https://youtu.be/lIFE7h3m40U

[jan-the-maker]

AHK has been awsm since a decade! 😂 Here's one Tom Scott video of him trying to build a fully decked emoji keyboard set..

https://youtu.be/lIFE7h3m40U

Cool. In case someone stumbles upon the following Problem with the AHK script: If you start typing in an active explorer windows to find a file by its filename and want to use "space" - just use shift+space and you can still search for filenames with space in the name.

[deanmongel]

I write a Autohotkey script to use space active peek and another space to close it. Now it works fine in my win11 laptop. Here is the script. https://github.com/deanmongel/use-space-in-peek-of-powertoys

Awesome will check it out directly.

OMG it works perfect! And its fast! 90% Solution. Love it! Thanks for making it! Just one question. Is there a way to make it compatible with AutoHotKey 2.0 ? Just needed to install V1 beside V2. And to make it perfect it would be awesome if there would be a way to get explorer to select the last file opened in peek after closing maybe? or a way to copy its file path. I know too much work for a quick fix and nothing essential BUT maybe someone with some AHK experience has a simple solution?

I just converted it to AutoHotKey V2, and on my laptop, the explorer will select the last file opened in Peek by pressing Space after using Space to close it. See this video.

https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys/assets/5518794/65e13c94-2a4a-4980-bebc-6d4978453900

[deanmongel]

AHK has been awsm since a decade! 😂 Here's one Tom Scott video of him trying to build a fully decked emoji keyboard set.. https://youtu.be/lIFE7h3m40U

Cool. In case someone stumbles upon the following Problem with the AHK script: If you start typing in an active explorer windows to find a file by its filename and want to use "space" - just use shift+space and you can still search for filenames with space in the name.

fixed a bug that sometimes spacebar cannot be used when finding a file

[Licheng-Xu]

Microsoft is still so arrogant. 😮‍💨

[ZhiboX]

still not fixed...🤦‍♂️