Get Apple's Quick Look Feature in Windows [1]
QuickLook for Windows allows you to preview several different file types by tapping the Space bar on the keyboard.
QuickLook is a fast and easy way to peek at files by highlighting the item and pressing the Space bar. It supports several kinds of formats; text, video, audio, PDF, compressed folders and Microsoft Office files.
You can zoom in or out, open items with the default application, have multiple preview windows open simultaneously (very convenient if you want to view several items at once), play a video or view documents. Another tap on the space bar closes the preview window.
Supported file types include:
• Almost all image formats: .png, .apng, .jpg, .bmp, .gif, .psd, Camera RAW
• Compressed archives: .zip, .rar, .tar.gz, .7z, etc.
• PDF and .ai files
• Almost all audio and video formats: .mp4, .mkv, .m2ts, .ogg, .mp3, .m4a, etc.
• Comma-separated values file (.csv)
• Email and Outlook Email files (.eml and .msg)
• HTML files (.htm, .html)
• Markdown file (.md, .markdown)
• All kinds of text files including reg and batch files (determined by file content)
Note: if you’ve enabled single click to open items in Windows, it’s probably best to have checkboxes enabled. Checking the box and then tapping the Space bar is the easiest way to use this app with single click enabled.
How to use a single click to open anything in Windows:
Go to File Explorer > View > Options > General > Single click to open an item (point to select) > Apply > OK.
This eliminates the need to double click the mouse to open files, folders, programs, etc. in Windows. It can be reversed if you prefer double clicking to open items.
To enable checkboxes in Windows: Go to File Explorer > View > Options > View tab > Use check boxes to select items > Apply > OK. Scroll down a bit to find the check box option and check the box next to it.
QuickLook has hotkeys and buttons and works with various File Managers like Everything and Directory Opus. There are plugins are available to enhance usability.
QuickLook is available from the Windows Store and as a portable or installable archive from the developers GitHub page. It runs on 32/64 bit versions of Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista, and is malware free according to VirusTotal. Requires .NET framework.
You can get it here:
Microsoft Windows Store [3]
QuickLook Releases [4] (installer and portable versions)
You can find more Tech Treats here [5].