How can I get a file preview in file explorer in Windows 10?
I'm pretty sure that the OP is asking about how to view the contents of text-based files, such as Word docs, Excel spreadsheets, text files, etc. The preview pane doesn't necessarily show all of these.
I for one would like to know how to enable this so I could quickly preview .js, .php, .pug, or any other "text-based" file.
I found an easy way to do this is to go into your registry editor (run: regedit), then go into HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> CLASSES and find the entry for the file extension you want to be able to preview. Right-click on the folder with the entryname and select New -> String Value from the context window. Make sure it has the following properties:
- Name = PerceivedType
- Data = text
- Type = REG_SZ
It's not the most automatice, or elegant solution, but it works.
Credits to @user255627 for that one https://superuser.com/a/647459/638281
Open This PC.
View Menu [may need to tap alt for the menus to appear]
Top left of the drop-menu
If you see icons instead of Thumbnails in the preview pane, then
from the same menu
View > Options > Change folder & search options...
View tab.
Make sure the top option is unchecked.
There is the "PreviewConfig" freeware that goes way back that does this pretty easily. I use it all time with an old version I got long ago, however it feels dangerous since it is freeware that modifies your registry - a lovely vector for malware.
But that aside it is pretty decent - but the UI is "donkeys old".
Here is a link: http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/previewconfig-tool-registers-file-types-for-the-preview-pane-in-windows-vista/
I wish there was something in the windows store - or best a feature built directly into the Windows Explorer...
Update:
Here is a newer version I have not tried yet. Looks like the author is maintaining it (a bit) now. https://chocolatey.org/packages/previewconfig