How To Enable Aero Peek Feature In Windows 8

With Windows 7, Microsoft introduced a bunch of useful Aero features to improve the overall desktop  experience. One of them was Aero Peek. The Aero Peek feature allowed users to quickly view desktop by moving the mouse cursor to the extreme right of the taskbar. The feature was very handy to quickly view files, folders, and gadgets on the desktop.

In addition to previewing the desktop, one could also use the feature to preview an open window by hovering the mouse cursor on the taskbar thumbnail preview of the window. The same nifty feature has been turned off in Windows 8.

Aero Peek featured is disabled by default in Windows 8. This is because, in Windows 8, moving the mouse cursor to the upper or lower-right corner of the screen brings up the charms bar, the bar that allows you quickly open Start, share, search and other settings.

Many users who have upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 8 may want to use Aero Peek to quickly preview the desktop. Users who are missing the feature may follow the given below instructions to enable the Aero Peek feature in Windows 8.

Here is how to enable Aero Peek feature in Windows 8:

Step 1: Switch to desktop, right-click on the taskbar and then click Properties to open Taskbar Properties.

Step 2: Under Taskbar tab, tick Use Peek to preview the desktop when you move your mouse to the Show Desktop button at the end of the taskbar checkbox to enable the feature.

Step 3: Click Apply button. You are done!

Note that the Show Desktop button may not appear on the right of the taskbar even after enabling the feature but the feature will work. Just move the mouse cursor to the extreme right of the taskbar to peek the desktop. Also note that the Aero Peek keyboard shortcut (Windows + Spacebar) doesn’t work in Windows 8.

You might also like to read our how to enable good old Start menu and Quick Launch in Windows 8 guides.