microsoft / microsoft/PowerToys

Peek shortcut "Space" intermittently fails in File Explorer.

Open
#49,635 1 comment 3 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
Issue-Bug Needs-Triage
Dominant language
C
Stars
139k
Forks
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PR merge metrics
PR metrics pending

Description

### Microsoft PowerToys version

0.100.2

### Installation method

PowerToys auto-update

### Area(s) with issue?

Peek

### Steps to reproduce

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Select any file in the file list.
3. Press Space to activate Peek.
4. Observe that sometimes nothing happens and the Peek preview does not open.

Additional observations:
- The issue mainly happens in File Explorer.
- Peek works normally on the Desktop.
- If I minimize File Explorer and restore it, or switch to another application and switch back, pressing Space works again.
- Opening PowerToys Command Palette shortcut and then pressing Space also makes Peek work again.
- Changing the Peek shortcut from Space to Ctrl+Space makes the issue disappear completely; Ctrl+Space works consistently.

### ✔️ Expected Behavior

Pressing Space on a selected file in File Explorer should always open the Peek preview window.
The shortcut should work consistently without requiring any window focus changes or other PowerToys actions.

### ❌ Actual Behavior

Sometimes pressing Space on a selected file in File Explorer does nothing.
No Peek window appears and there is no visible error.

The issue can be temporarily resolved by:
- Minimizing and restoring File Explorer.
- Switching to another application and returning to File Explorer.
- Opening PowerToys Command Palette.

Using Ctrl+Space instead of Space does not reproduce the issue.

### Upload Bug Report ZIP-file

_No response_

### Additional Information

Windows 11 25h2
Default shortcut: Space

### Other Software

_No response_

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start by reproducing the Space shortcut failure in Peek with File Explorer, comparing it with Desktop and Ctrl+Space as described. Trace the Peek shortcut and focus-handling entry points; done means Space reliably opens the preview in File Explorer without requiring focus changes or other PowerToys actions.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
c
Domain
desktop, tooling
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Active
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
48/100

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