Fix: Peek at desktop setting grayed out in Windows

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Microsoft introduced Aero Peek in Windows 7, which enables users to peek through all openwindowsfor a desktop preview by hovering the cursor over aShow Desktoptaskbarbutton.

AlthoughWindows 10and 8 don’tinclude Aero effects, those platforms still retain Peek desktop previews. However, someWindowsusers have reported that theUse Peeksetting is grayed out for them. This is how you can fix a grayed out peek at desktop setting in Windows 7/8/10.

Check the Enable Peek Setting

Edit the Registry

Run the Aero Troubleshooter in Windows 7

This is as fix more specifically for Windows 7 users. Some Windows 7 editions include an Aero troubleshooter that might help fix Aero Peek. You can run the Windows 7 Aero troubleshooter as follows.

Select an Aero Theme

Windows 7 users might find theUse Aero Peek to preview desktopoption is grayed out for non-Aero themes. As such, ifWindows 7currently has a non-Aero theme, change it to an Aero theme instead, by right-clicking the desktop and selectingPersonalize. Then select an alternative Aero theme.

Disable the LogMeIn Driver

The LogMeIn remote desktop software disables Aero Peek. The program’s driver is incompatible with Windows Aero. So if you’re using LogMeIn, consider removing the program and replacing it with alternativeremote desktop software. Or you can disable the LogMeIn driver as follows.

Close Anti-Virus Software

Anti-Virus softwarecan also block theEnable Aero Peekoption. If that happens, the setting might not be visible at all. So closing, or at least disabling, anti-virus programs might also fix Peek.

Now open thetaskbarsettings or theTaskbarand Start Menu Propertieswindowto select theUse Peekoption. The peek at desktop setting will no longer be grayed out! Thus, you can preview the desktop with theShow Desktopbutton once more.

Fix: Peek at desktop setting grayed out in Windows#

Check the Enable Peek Setting#

Edit the Registry#

Run the Aero Troubleshooter in Windows 7#

Select an Aero Theme#

Disable the LogMeIn Driver#

Close Anti-Virus Software#