microsoft--powertoys/doc/dsc/modules/Peek.md

description, ms.date, ms.topic, title

description	ms.date	ms.topic	title
DSC configuration reference for PowerToys Peek module	10/18/2025	reference	Peek Module

Peek Module

Synopsis

Manages configuration for the Peek utility, a quick file preview tool.

Description

The Peek module configures PowerToys Peek, a utility that provides quick file previews without opening files. Activate it with a keyboard shortcut to preview documents, images, videos, and more in a popup window.

Properties

The Peek module supports the following configurable properties:

ActivationShortcut

Sets the keyboard shortcut to activate Peek for the selected file.

Type: object
Properties:

• win (boolean) - Windows key modifier
• ctrl (boolean) - Ctrl key modifier
• alt (boolean) - Alt key modifier
• shift (boolean) - Shift key modifier
• code (integer) - Virtual key code
• key (string) - Key name

Default: Ctrl+Space

CloseAfterLosingFocus

Controls whether Peek window closes when it loses focus.

Type: boolean
Default: true

Examples

Example 1 - Configure activation shortcut with direct execution

This example customizes the Peek activation shortcut.

$config = @{
    settings = @{
        properties = @{
            ActivationShortcut = @{
                win = $false
                ctrl = $true
                alt = $false
                shift = $false
                code = 32
                key = "Space"
            }
        }
        name = "Peek"
        version = "1.0"
    }
} | ConvertTo-Json -Depth 10 -Compress

PowerToys.DSC.exe set --resource 'settings' --module Peek --input $config

Example 2 - Configure focus behavior with DSC

This example configures Peek to remain open after losing focus.

dsc config set --file peek-focus.dsc.yaml

# peek-focus.dsc.yaml
$schema: https://aka.ms/dsc/schemas/v3/bundled/config/document.json
resources:
  - name: Configure Peek focus behavior
    type: Microsoft.PowerToys/PeekSettings
    properties:
      settings:
        properties:
          CloseAfterLosingFocus: false
        name: Peek
        version: 1.0

Example 3 - Install and configure with WinGet

This example installs PowerToys and configures Peek.

winget configure winget-peek.yaml

# winget-peek.yaml
$schema: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/PowerShell/DSC/main/schemas/2023/08/config/document.json
metadata:
  winget:
    processor: dscv3
resources:
  - name: Install PowerToys
    type: Microsoft.WinGet.DSC/WinGetPackage
    properties:
      id: Microsoft.PowerToys
      source: winget
  
  - name: Configure Peek
    type: Microsoft.PowerToys/PeekSettings
    properties:
      settings:
        properties:
          CloseAfterLosingFocus: true
        name: Peek
        version: 1.0

Example 4 - Alternative activation shortcut

This example uses Ctrl+Shift+Space as the activation shortcut.

dsc config set --file peek-altkey.dsc.yaml

# peek-altkey.dsc.yaml
$schema: https://aka.ms/dsc/schemas/v3/bundled/config/document.json
resources:
  - name: Alternative Peek shortcut
    type: Microsoft.PowerToys/PeekSettings
    properties:
      settings:
        properties:
          ActivationShortcut:
            win: false
            ctrl: true
            alt: false
            shift: true
            code: 32
            key: Space
        name: Peek
        version: 1.0

Use cases

File browsing

Configure for quick file preview during browsing:

resources:
  - name: File browsing configuration
    type: Microsoft.PowerToys/PeekSettings
    properties:
      settings:
        properties:
          CloseAfterLosingFocus: true
        name: Peek
        version: 1.0

Content review

Configure for extended content review:

resources:
  - name: Review configuration
    type: Microsoft.PowerToys/PeekSettings
    properties:
      settings:
        properties:
          CloseAfterLosingFocus: false
        name: Peek
        version: 1.0

See also

• Settings Resource
• PowerToys DSC Overview
• ShortcutGuide
• PowerToys Peek Documentation