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Windows 7 - Aero Peek - Turn On or Off

 

Aero Peek - Turn On or Off

How to Turn Aero Peek On or Off in Windows 7
Published by Brink
12-08-2008
Default Aero Peek - Turn On or Off

How to Turn Aero Peek On or Off in Windows 7



information   Information
This will show you how to turn Windows 7 Aero Peek, also known as Desktop Preview, On or Off to temporarily make all open windows on the desktop transparent when you place the mouse pointer on the button at the far right end of the taskbar.

warning   Warning
  • When turned on, Desktop Preview will only work if you have more than one window opened.
  • You will need to have a Aero Theme selected and not one of the Basic and High Contrast Themes for Desktop Preview to work.
Aero Requirements to be Enabled in Windows 7
NOTE: If Aero is not enabled, then Aero Peek will not work even when turned on.
  • Aero is not included in Windows 7 Home Basic or Windows 7 Starter editions.
  • 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor
  • 1 GB of system memory
  • Support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB memory (in order to enable Aero theme)
  • You must be have True Color (32 bit) set instead of High Color (16 bit).
  • The desktop composition and Animate controls and elements inside windows options need to be enabled in Visual Effects.
  • The Desktop Window Manager Session Manager and Themes Services need to be set as Started and Automatic.
  • Refresh or update your WEI score. You will need an WEI score minimum of 2.0 in both Graphics & Gaming graphics in order for Aero to be activated.

EXAMPLE: Aero Peek
NOTE: This is before (left screenshot) and after (right screenshot) hovering the mouse pointer over the Show Desktop button on the taskbar, or pressing the Windows Key + Spacebar.
Aero Peek - Turn On or Off-before.jpgAero Peek - Turn On or Off-preview.jpg




OPTION ONE

Turn Aero Peek On or Off in Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
1. Right click on the Start button and click on Properties.
A) Go to step 3.
OR

2. Right click on a empty area on the taskbar and click on Properties.

3. Click on the Taskbar tab. (See screenshot below)
Aero Peek - Turn On or Off-properties.jpg
4. To Turn Off Aero Peek
A) Uncheck the Use Aero Peek to preview the desktop box. (See screenshot above)

B) Go to step 6.
5. To Turn On Aero Peek
NOTE: By default, Desktop is turned on in Windows 7.
A) Check the Use Aero Peek to preview the desktop box. (See screenshot below step 3)
6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 3)



OPTION TWO

Turn Aero Peek On or Off with Show Desktop Button on Taskbar
1. Right click on the button at the far right of the taskbar. (See screenshot below)
Name:  Taskbar-2.jpg
Views: 122021
Size:  13.0 KB
2. To Turn Off Aero Peek
A) Right click on the far right taskbar button and select Peek at desktop to uncheck it. (See screenshot above)
3. To Turn On Aero Peek
NOTE: By default, Preview desktop is checked in Windows 7.
A) Right click on the far right taskbar button and select Peek at desktop to check it. (See screenshot below step 1)



OPTION THREE

Turn Aero Peek On or Off in Visual Effects


NOTE: This option will also enable or disable taskbar thumbnail live previews.
1. Open the Visual Effects settings.

2. To Enable Areo Peek
A) Check the Enable Aero Peek box. (See screenshot below step 4)

B) Go to step 4.
3. To Disable Areo Peek
NOTE: This will gray out the settings in OPTION ONE and OPTION TWO above.
A) Uncheck the Enable Aero Peek box. (See screenshot below step 4)
4. Click on OK.
Aero Peek - Turn On or Off-visual_effects.jpg



OPTION FOUR

Turn Aero Peek On or Off Using a REG File Download

NOTE: This option will not work if Aero Peek was disabled using OPTION THREE above.
1. To Enable Aero Peek
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enabled_Aero_Peek.reg
download
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Disable Aero Peek
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disabled_Aero_Peek.reg

download
3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn




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Tutorial Tools
12-08-2008   #1
Kryptonit3


Windows 7 Ultimate Build 6956 x32
 
 


when i rightclick mine is greyed out:



and when i hover my mouse, my windows dont go translucent, is it because i have dual screens?


Last edited by Brink; 09-08-2011 at 03:05 PM.. Reason: embedded image
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-08-2008   #2
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
 
 


Hello Kryptonit3,

Does the WARNING box at the top of the tutorial apply to you?

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-08-2008   #3
Kryptonit3


Windows 7 Ultimate Build 6956 x32
 
 


No, cuz im running 6956

but i disabled UAC if that makes any difference
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.


12-08-2008   #4
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
 
 


I do not believe it would, but you might turn it on to just to test.

Do you have a Windows (Aero) theme running and not one of the Ease of Access themes?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-08-2008   #5
Kryptonit3


Windows 7 Ultimate Build 6956 x32
 
 


Quote   Quote: Originally Posted by Brink View Post
I do not believe it would, but you might turn it on to just to test.

Do you have a Windows (Aero) theme running and not one of the Ease of Access themes?
Sure didnt, LoL, Thank you, it works now :-P
My System SpecsSystem Spec
12-08-2008   #6
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
 
 


You're welcome Kryptonit3,

LOL, that's good to hear. I'll add a note about the theme to help others with the same problem.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
01-03-2009   #7
Airbot


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
 
 


Hey Shawn, when you hover over the icon to activate it, is the desktop supposed to have barely noticeable diagonal lines going across the desktop. Almost like rays of sunshine. It looks like your picture above has them too. Is this normal?
My System SpecsSystem Spec
01-03-2009   #8
Mark


Windows 7 Ultimate Vista Ultimate x64
 
 


I beleive that is meant to resemble a pane of glass.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
01-03-2009   #9
Brink


Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
 
 


Hi Aaron,

Mr GRiM is correct. It is suppose to look like a pane of glass with a bit of light reflection.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
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