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Windows 7 - Preview other file types as text in Preview Pane

so many times, i have to open config files to confirm they have correct settings.

it would be awesome if there was a quicker way to to see what's inside without having to load the file into a text editor, and than close it.

I am curious if anyone has come across this problem, and if any utilities exist that could offer quick peek on right lick ? i tried a few google searches but nothing interesting came up

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marked as duplicate by Tog, Kyle, Dennis, Tanner, Diago Jan 26 '13 at 6:15


What could be simpler? Can you explain more? Do you want a program that can give a precis? –  Xavierjazz Jan 25 '13 at 20:22
From a command line: Cat foo.ini –  EBGreen Jan 25 '13 at 20:26
i'd have to open command line to that location, and than type it out.. how's that quicker than just right click > open in editor ? –  Sonic Soul Jan 25 '13 at 20:28
@Xavierjazz looking for a utility to peek into a text file while in windows UI w/out having to open the file in some editor –  Sonic Soul Jan 25 '13 at 20:28
@SonicSoul It's not, but nothing really is. That is why it was a comment not an answer. –  EBGreen Jan 25 '13 at 20:28
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2 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

In Windows Explorer you can press Alt-P to bring up the preview pane that shows you previews of txt files (and various other file types) out of the box. As for text files that have a different suffix, this has been answered in Windows 7 - Preview other file types as text in Preview Pane

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EXACTLY what i was looking for. i was not aware of this cool hack, thanks! –  Sonic Soul Jan 28 '13 at 14:58
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There's always findstr if you're looking for a command-line utility.


This would allow you to search multiple docs to find out if any of them have the value you're looking for.

If you're looking for something like a preview pane... Dolphin maybe? Previews are generally used for pictures as they're easier to verify by thumbnail. text not so much. You'd either need to find an embedded editor or a file manager that supports this.

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that's a cool util! not really what i was looking for.. i'm just trying to preview what's in a specific file.. but always good to find new tools :) –  Sonic Soul Jan 28 '13 at 14:59
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