Quick Look for Windows 11: preview files with the Space bar
Windows 11 has a Preview pane for viewing files inside File Explorer, and Glassline adds a large Quick Look preview with the Space bar. Select a file and press Space to see it without opening its app. Videos play in the preview too.
Use Windows' Preview pane
- Open File Explorer. Go to the folder holding the file you want to check.
- Choose View, then Show, then Preview pane. You can also press Alt and P together to show or hide the pane.
- Select a supported file. Its contents appear in the pane.
This preview stays inside File Explorer's reading pane. Glassline adds a large preview you can bring up with Space when you want a closer look.
Preview with Space
- Install Glassline from the Microsoft Store. Open Glassline before trying the keys below.
- Select a file in File Explorer. Try a photo, PDF, text file or SVG picture. Quick Look also previews folders.
- Press Space. Glassline shows the selected file large without opening the app you would normally use for it.
- Press Space again. The preview closes, leaving you ready to check another file.
Use this when a filename leaves you unsure what is inside. You can check a picture or read some text before deciding whether to open the file in its app.
Watch a video
- Select a video in File Explorer. Choose the clip you want to check.
- Press Space. Quick Look opens and the video plays in the preview.
- Click the video to pause. The picture stops so you can look at that moment. Press Space again when you have finished checking it.
This is useful when several clips have similar names. Watching a few moments can help you recognise the one you need.
Browse the folder
Keep Quick Look open and press the right arrow to preview the next file in the folder. Press the left arrow to go to the previous file. You can work through neighbouring files with the preview open, then press Space to close it when you have found yours.
Preview from Search
- Press the Windows key. Glassline Search opens. Type the name of the file you want.
- Select the file result. Press Ctrl and Space together to open its Quick Look preview.
- Press Esc to close it. The large preview disappears.
To see the keys again, right-click the menu bar, choose Glassline Settings and open Shortcuts. That page lists the shortcuts Glassline answers to, including the keys used here.
