Windows 7: Aero Peek - Turn On or Off

   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

• 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.

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)

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)

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

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.

OPTION FOUR

Turn Aero Peek On or Off Using a REG File Download

1. To Enable Aero Peek

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Enabled_Aero_Peek.reg

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

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.