This MacOS inspired new Windows 11 feature will let you view files without opening them

A new Windows 11 feature will finally let you preview files and quickly view the content before you open them. This feature was already available for MacOS users but finally it is coming to Windows 11 as well

New Windows 11 feature: Want to quickly view files without opening them? Microsoft finally goes the MacOS way to get you this awesome feature. (Microsoft)

New Microsoft 11 feature: If there was one MacOS feature Windows fans have wanted to see in Windows 11 it was the Quick Look feature. The Quick Look feature in MacOS lets users take a preview of a file, whether it is an image, video, PDF or any other kind of file, before opening it. While File Explorer on Windows 11 has this feature called preview panel, it is not as simple to use and is not very intuitive. Understanding the needs of its user base, Microsoft is finally coming out with a feature called ‘Peek' which will allow you to seamlessly preview images and texts. Read on to know what it is and how you can use it too.

Checking out a preview without opening can be a very important feature. Not only does it allow you to quickly view and scan through files, but you can also avoid viruses by not opening files sent from unreliable sources. For those, who have not used MacOS, you can think of this feature very similar to image previews on Instagram. When you are on your own or someone else's profile on Instagram and you long press an image, you see a hovering preview of the image without actually opening it. That is exactly how Quick Look works as well.

New Windows 11 feature will let you preview files with ease

This new Windows 11 feature will be delivered via Microsoft PowerToys and will not be an in-built feature into the OS. It will also be available for Windows 10. Microsoft PowerToys is a set of freeware system utilities programs designed for users who do a lot of technical work on the PC and require advanced tools. These programs add or change features to maximize productivity or add more customization. You can download PowerToys from Github for free.

This feature of ‘Peek' will be added to PowerToys soon and users will be able to easily preview their files. In fact, you will be able to see the previews by just a click of the spacebar, exactly how the MacOS functionality works.

To use this feature, you would first need to download Microsoft PowerToys. After that, you can select or highlight a file in File Explorer or desktop and press shift + spacebar to preview the contents of the file. A small pop-up window will open and you will easily get to see the preview.