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Windows & DockDock Window Previews

Mac Dock hover preview for every window

A Mac Dock hover preview isn't built in: pointing at a Dock icon shows only the app's name. Instead, right-click the icon to list its windows by name, or press ⌃↓ for App Exposé. Dock Window Previews shows a picture of each of the app's windows when you hover over its icon, and a click takes you there.
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One of 68 fixes in MrFixable. Lifetime license, no subscription. Updated October 22, 2026. Works on macOS 14.2 Sonoma and later. Checked on macOS 26 Tahoe.

What Dock Window Previews does

The problem
On Windows, hovering over a taskbar button shows a preview of each open window. On a Mac, hovering over a Dock icon shows only the app's name. App Exposé (⌃↓) shows the windows of the app you're in, and right-clicking a Dock icon lists window names, but neither shows you a picture when you point at the Dock.
With Dock Window Previews
Hover over an app in the Dock to see all its open windows, and click one to go straight to it. Minimized windows show up too, so you can bring one back without hunting.
  • Click to go there
    Click a preview and that window comes to the front, even if it was minimized. Hover a preview and click its × to close that window.
  • Minimized windows included
    Up to 10 windows per app. Minimized ones are shown faded, with a small minimize mark next to the name.
  • Choose how fast
    Previews appear after a moment by default. Set them to show with no wait, or after half a second. They work with the Dock at the bottom, left or right.

Good to know

  • Needs Accessibility access, which macOS requires for an app to read the Dock's icons and bring other apps' windows forward.

  • Pictures of each window need Screen Recording too. Without it, previews show each window's name instead of a picture.

  • Windows on other desktops aren't listed.

  • Switch it off and hovering over the Dock shows just the app's name again.

Questions

  • How do I see window previews from the Mac Dock?

    Turn on Dock Window Previews in MrFixable, then hover over a running app's icon in the Dock. A row of pictures appears, one for each of its windows, up to 10. Click one to go straight to it, or hover it and click its × to close it. Pictures need Screen Recording permission.

  • How do I see all open windows of an app on a Mac?

    Press ⌃↓ (Control-Down Arrow) for App Exposé, which spreads out the windows of the app you're in. Or right-click the app's Dock icon to see a list of its windows by name. With Dock Window Previews on, just hover over the icon to see a picture of each one, minimized windows included.

  • How do I get a minimized window back on a Mac?

    Click its thumbnail on the right side of the Dock. If Minimize windows into application icon is on in System Settings › Desktop & Dock, right-click the app's icon and choose the window instead. With Dock Window Previews, hover over the app's icon and click the faded preview. The window comes back where it was.

  • How do I keep the Dock visible in full screen on a Mac?

    You can't. macOS always hides the Dock while an app is in full screen, and there's no setting to keep it there. Move the pointer to the bottom edge of the screen and the Dock slides in until you move away. To leave full screen and get the Dock back for good, press ⌃⌘F.

  • How do I show which applications are open in the Dock?

    Open System Settings › Desktop & Dock and turn on Show indicators for open applications. A small dot then appears below every running app's icon. To keep an app in the Dock when it's closed, right-click its icon and choose Options › Keep in Dock. Dock Window Previews shows each running app's windows on hover.

  • Can a Mac show window previews like the Windows taskbar?

    Not on its own. macOS shows only the app's name when you point at a Dock icon. Dock Window Previews adds taskbar-style previews: hover over an app in the Dock, see a picture of each of its windows, and click the one you want. It works with the Dock at the bottom, left or right.

Sources

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