I use win2K with my desktop PC, but my notebook came with WinXP. So far I'm pretty happy with it. I've configured it so it looks/acts just like my win2k box.

But there's only one feature that I can't seem to enable. Probably because it isn't there anymore, but I really miss it and would like it back.

In explorer, I always view my files in "detail" mode (because that's the way I like it). In win2k there is an option in explorer so that each media file, be it a pic, a vid or an mp3 could be previewed/prelistened in the explorer window itself.
I never knew how much I used this feature up till now.

In WinXP, the best I can do is not to use detail mode, but "miniaturedisplay"-mode (translating literally here, I have no idea if it's correct) which shows ALL the files in some sort of preview mode. The pics anyway, this does not work for vids or mp3's. Also, because it shows ALL the files in preview mode, it all becomes one big soup, totally cluttered. I really don't like it.

Is there a way to enable this "single file" preview mode while using "detail" view ? (in explorer, not by switching to other programs)
If not, does anybody know of a (preferably free) program that does the same thing ?

Thanks a lot.

You need to pop down the "Details" panel. See the attached screen shot. It doesn't give you the playback controls for sound/video, though.

"miniaturedisplay"-mode (translating literally here, I have no idea if it's correct)

In English, that would be "Thumbnail view".

Personally, I always hated this feature in Windows 2000, which is why you can find instructions for turning it off on my website.

Thanks ! Though it isn't 100% the same as the feature in win2k, it suppose it's going to have to do. Or at least until somebody can point me to a utility that does exactly the same as the win2k web view en media files viewer.

Personally, I always hated this feature in Windows 2000

After reading the reason why you hate it, I can understand why. But for me this isn't an issue since both my PC's are 99% of the time used as stand-alone PC's. I've really grown attached to this feature.

An idea:

If you use TweakUI for Windows XP, you can adjust the size/quality of thumbnails displayed in Windows Explorer.

Thanks, for the suggestion !
But I've just discovered a great utility that does it all : PicaView from ACDSystems (part of the mPower tools). It's great! It just requires me to right-click on a file I want to see, and the program is embedded in the menu that normally appears when I right-click. It shows pics, video and plays mp3!

It not freeware, I've downloaded the 30 day trial version. But I already like it so much I'll most likely register it!

Thanks for all your help!