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Building the best file manager for Windows
Quick Overview
QuickLook is an open-source file previewer for Windows, similar to the Quick Look feature on macOS. It allows users to quickly preview various file types by pressing the spacebar while selecting a file in File Explorer, providing a fast and convenient way to view file contents without opening them fully.
Pros
- Supports a wide range of file formats, including images, videos, text files, PDFs, and more
- Lightweight and fast, with minimal impact on system resources
- Customizable through plugins, allowing users to add support for additional file types
- Integrates seamlessly with Windows File Explorer
Cons
- May occasionally encounter compatibility issues with certain file types or Windows versions
- Some advanced features may require additional plugins or configuration
- Not as deeply integrated into the operating system as the macOS counterpart
- Limited customization options for the default user interface
Getting Started
To get started with QuickLook:
- Download the latest release from the GitHub releases page.
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Once installed, select a file in File Explorer and press the spacebar to preview it.
- To close the preview, press the spacebar again or hit the Esc key.
For additional plugins and customization options, visit the project's wiki.
Competitor Comparisons
Building the best file manager for Windows
Pros of Files
- More comprehensive file management features, including multiple tabs, tags, and advanced sorting options
- Modern, customizable UI with themes and layout options
- Active development with frequent updates and new features
Cons of Files
- Larger application size and potentially higher resource usage
- Steeper learning curve due to more complex features
- May be overkill for users seeking simple quick file previews
Code Comparison
Files (C#):
public static async Task<StorageFolder> GetFolderFromPathAsync(string path)
{
if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(path))
return null;
try
{
return await StorageFolder.GetFolderFromPathAsync(path);
}
catch (Exception)
{
return null;
}
}
QuickLook (C#):
public static string GetFileDescription(string path)
{
var info = new FileInfo(path);
return $"{info.Name} ({info.Length} bytes)";
}
The code snippets demonstrate different approaches:
- Files focuses on asynchronous operations and exception handling for folder access
- QuickLook emphasizes simplicity in file information retrieval
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QuickLook
Background
One of the few features I missed from macOS is Quick Look. It allows users to peek into a file content in lightning speed by just pressing the Space key. Windows, on the other hand, does not have this handy feature ... until now!
I am aware that several alternatives are already available on the Internet (e.g. WinQuickLook and Seer). Despite these options, I still decided to craft another one by myself, because they are either not being actively developed, lack of variety, or ask for some :dollar:.
Highlights
- Tons of supported file types (full list here)
- Fluent design
- Touchscreen friendly
- HiDPI support
- Preview from Open and Save File Dialog
- Preview from 3rd-party file managers (see a list here)
- Easily extended by plugins
- Strict GPL license to keep it free forever
Usage
Download/Installation
Get it from one of the following sources:
- Microsoft Store (Windows 10 users only, no preview in open/save-dialogs available)
- Installer or portable archive of the stable version from GitHub Release
- Nightly builds from AppVeyor
What are the differences between .msi, .zip, Nightly and Store versions?
Note: Don't forget to check out the plugins for previewing office-files, epubs, fonts and more!
Typical usecase
- Run
QuickLook.exe(only necessary if autostart is disabled) - Select any file or folder (on the Desktop, in a File Explorer window, in an Open or Save-File dialogue, doesn't matter)
- Press Spacebar
- Enjoy the preview and interact with it
- Preview next file by clicking on it or using arrow-keys (arrow-keys move selection in the background if the preview window is not in focus)
- When you're done close it by either hitting Spacebar again, pressing Esc or clicking the
â¨button
Hotkeys and buttons
- Spacebar Show/Hide the preview window
- Esc Hide the preview window
- Enter Open/Execute current file
- Mouse â â â â Preview another file
- Mouse Wheel Zoom in/out (images)
- Ctrl+Mouse Wheel Zoom in/out (PDFs)
- Wheel Increase/decrease volume
Supported file types, file manager integration, etc.
See the Wiki page
Translations
See the Translation guide
Thanks to
- Many open-source projects and their contributors
- Our UI designers @OiCkilL (âFluentâ user interface since v0.3), @QubitsDev (app-icon v0.3-v3.6.9) and Donno (app-icon since v3.6.10)
- Our contributers who
- teach QuickLook to speak your language
- send pull requests, report bugs or give suggestions
- ... and you ð
Licenses
This project references many other open-source projects. See here for the full list.
All source codes are licensed under GPL-3.0.
If you want to make any modification on these source codes while keeping new codes not protected by GPL-3.0, please contact me for a sublicense instead.
Top Related Projects
Building the best file manager for Windows
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Try Visual Copilot