Those of you reading this article probably aware of Aero Peek and how to use the same in Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. For the uninitiated, Aero Peek was introduced first with Windows 7 along with other two features – Aero Snap and Aero Shake.
Aero peek in Windows 10/8/7
Aero Peek lets users quickly peek through all open windows and applications to view the desktop. The feature is handy to quickly view what’s there on the desktop.
Even though the peek button is located at the extreme right on the taskbar, the button is easily visible in Windows 7 unlike in the later versions of Windows. In Windows 8 and Windows 10, you just need to move the cursor to the bottom right-corner of the desktop in order to peek through all open windows.
The Aero Peek feature can be easily enabled or disabled by opening Taskbar and Navigation properties. Under the Taskbar tab, you need to check or uncheck “Use Peek to preview the desktop when you move your mouse to the Show desktop button at the end of the taskbar” option in order to enable or disable the feature in Windows 8 and Windows 10. In Windows 7, the option to enable or disable the Aero peek is labelled as “Aero peek”.
A while back, one of our readers asked me to suggest a way to fix the grayed out Use Peek to preview the desktop when you move your mouse to the Show desktop button at the end of the taskbar option that appears under Taskbar and Navigation properties.
If you want to enable the Aero Peek feature but the option “Use Aero Peek to preview the desktop” is grayed out means that the Aero Peek feature is completely turned off under System Properties.
Enable Use Peek to preview the desktop option in Windows 7/8/10
Follow the given below instructions to activate the grayed out Use Peek to preview the desktop option in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10.
Step 1: Open Run command box by simultaneously pressing Windows and R keys (Windows+R).
Step 2: In the resulting Run box, type Sysdm.cpl, and then press Enter key open System Properties dialog.
Step 3: Here, click on the Advanced tab. Under Performance section, click Settings button to open Performance Options dialog.
Step 4: Next, check the option labelled Enable Aero Peek (Enable Peek in Windows 8 and Windows 10) and then click Apply button.
Step 5: Open Taskbar and Navigation properties now (right-click on taskbar and then click Properties) to see the active Use Peek to preview the desktop option.
That’s it!
Alex Messervy says
Thanks for your help.
Daniel says
Found this and it’s working like a charm!
Start > Control Panel > All Control Panel items (so NOT the compact view – in the upper right of the window; select view as: large/small pictograms/icons). Go to TROUBLESHOOTING. Go to “Display Aero desktop Effects’
Aero peek box missing from performance setting window.
Run the troubleshooter.
Michael says
try this guys
Open an elevated Command Prompt window.
To open an elevated Command Prompt,
click Start, click All Programs,
click Accessories,
right-click Command Prompt,
and then click Run as administrator.
Type the following command and hit ENTER:
Command for Windows 7 32-bit :
regsvr32.exe “%Programfiles%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll”
Command for Windows 7 64-bit (Registering the 32-bit module) :
regsvr32.exe “%Programfiles(x86)%\Internet Explorer\ieproxy.dll”
admin says
Craig, there is one. Use Windows logo + , hotkey.
Craig says
Is there a hotkey shortcut to do AeroPeek?
Somedays I am just too lazy to move the trackball.
DebC says
I have the same issue as Sam – no Aero Peek option to check or uncheck in the sysdm.cpl window. Running Windows 7 Pro SP 1 64 bit. What’s the solution???
admin says
@ Sam, could you tell me the version of Windows you are running?
Sam says
There is no such option in visual effect “Enable Aero peek” . What should I do
g mcd says
followed the steps- worked perfectly- thank you very much
Jolugbo says
This worked perfectly well for me, much thanks
giambattista says
Same as James. Under Performance Options “Enable Aero Peek” is not listed. It is checked and greyed out.
Anybody has a suggestion? Thanks a lot.
Claire says
I have the same problem as James. Enable Aero Peek is not visible on that list. When I adjust for best appearance, Aero Peek is still greyed out.
BT7474 says
I don’t know if it will work but select, ‘Adjust for best Appearance’ should work – Step 4.
James says
In following your above instructions, under Performance Options “Enable Aero Peek” is not listed. It is checked and greyed out which will notlet me disable. Please advise.