The preview pane lets you preview a selected file instantly. Here is how to show or hide the preview pane in File Explorer in Windows 11.
Have you ever wanted to see what a file is without first opening it? That’s where the preview pane in File Explorer can help. Just select the file and you will see a preview of it in the right sidebar called preview pane. Compared to regular thumbnails, a preview pane offers a bigger preview and supports a large number of file types. For example, you can quickly preview text and pdf files.
As helpful as the Preview Pane is, it is disabled by default to give you more space to list your files. However, if you have a larger screen with greater screen real estate to spare, enabling the preview pane in Windows 11 is pretty helpful. After all, you can always resize the File Explorer window to show more files as needed.
In this quick tutorial, we’ll show you how to show or hide the preview pane in File Explorer of Windows 11. Let’s get started.
Table of contents:
Show preview pane in Windows 11 File Explorer
You can use the File Explorer’s command bar to turn on the preview pane. All you have to do is select an option, and you are done. Here is how to show the preview pane in Windows 11 File Explorer.
- Open the File Explorer with “Win + E.”
- Click the “View” option.
- Select the “Preview Pane” option.
- With that, the preview pane is visible on the right side.
- You can close the File Explorer.
Note: If you don’t see the preview pane, click on the Preview option on the command bar.
Steps with screenshots:
First thing, launch the File Explorer window by pressing Windows key + E keyboard shortcut or clicking on the File Explorer icon on the taskbar.
After opening the File Explorer, click on the “View” option and then select the “Preview Pane” option to activate the preview pane. You will see a small dot to indicate the option is turned on.
Once the option is turned on, you will see the preview pane on the right side of the File Explorer.
If you don’t see it, click the Preview option on the command bar. From now on, when you select a file, File Explorer will show its preview if the file type is supported.
Hide preview pane in Windows 11 File Explorer
To remove, disable, or hide the preview pane in Windows 11 File Explorer, follow the below steps.
- Open the File Explorer with “Win + E.”
- Click the Preview button on the command bar.
- With that, the preview pane is hidden.
- You can close the File Explorer.
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That is it. It is that simple to show or hide the preview pane in Windows 11 File Explorer.
I hope this easy and straightforward how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
No, did not work – preview pane still showing on the right – EVEN with preview option turned OFF….
Have to – in upper right of the file explorer window – click on Details icon
Hi PW, thank for your comment. I’ve updated the article to reflect the changes in the File Explorer.