Preview Pane - Turn On or Off

    Preview Pane - Turn On or Off

    Preview Pane - Turn On or Off

    How to Turn the Preview Pane On or Off in Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Turn the Preview Pane On or Off in Windows 7


       Information
    You can use the preview pane in Windows Explorer to see the contents of most files. If you select an e‑mail message, text file, picture, or video for example, you can see a preview of its contents without opening it in a program. The preview pane is turned off by default in Windows 7.

    This will show you how to turn the Preview pane on or off in all Windows Explorer windows in Windows 7.
       Tip
    When the Preview pane is turned on, you can drag it's left border line left and right to increase or decrease the size of the Preview pane.

    EXAMPLE: Windows Explorer Layout
    NOTE: The preview pane is the far right pane in Windows Explorer.
    Preview Pane - Turn On or Off-layout1.jpg

    Preview Pane - Turn On or Off-layout2.jpg



    OPTION ONE

    To Turn "Preview Pane" On or Off in Windows Explorer


    1. Open Windows Explorer (explorer.exe).

    2. On the toolbar, click on Organize and Layout. (see screenshots below)
    Preview Pane - Turn On or Off-pp_on.jpg

    Preview Pane - Turn On or Off-pp_off.jpg
    3. To Turn On the Preview Pane in Windows Explorer
    A) Select (click) Preview pane to have it checked. (see screenshots above)

    OR

    B) Click on the Preview pane icon on the far right of the toolbar. (see screenshot below)
    Preview Pane - Turn On or Off-toolbar.jpg
    4. To Turn Off the Preview Pane in Windows Explorer
    A) Select (click) Preview pane to have it unchecked with the icon now showing. (see screenshots below step 2)

    OR

    B) Click on the Preview pane icon on the far right of the toolbar. (see screenshot below)
    Preview Pane - Turn On or Off-toolbar2.jpg
    5. All Windows Explorer windows will now open as you set this.



    OPTION TWO

    To Turn "Preview Pane" On or Off using a REG File Download


    1. To Turn On the Preview Pane in Windows Explorer
    A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
    Turn_Preview_Pane_On.reg


    Download

    B) Go to step 3.
    2. To Turn Off the Preview Pane in Windows Explorer
    A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
    Turn_Preview_Pane_Off.reg


    Download

    3. 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. Close and reopen any open Windows Explorer window to apply.

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







  1. Posts : 620
    7264x64/7260x86
       #1

    Is there a hack to move the preview pane under the list of files?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 72,051
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello Copernicus,

    Sorry, but no.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 114
    Windows 7 Home Premium
       #3

    Great Post Shawn!!

    Gerry
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 13
    Windows 7
       #4

    Nice post. Still think this should be saved / remembered as a "Per Folder" option in the registry.
    (Along with your folder layout - as per XP - rather than the limited folder 5 or so document 'types' layout we are stuck with now in 7).
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 72,051
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hello MoRbIdBoY,

    Yeah, it would be nice to have this and the other panes settings on a per folder basis like the folder views.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 15:04.
Find Us