How to "Preview" before you open a file

 Windows 7 & 8 allow you to "preview" a file BEFORE you open it from any folder.

Windows 7 Example

1. Open a folder that contains files you wish to preview.
2. Turn on the Preview Pane by selecting the icon as shown in the screenshot displayed above (for Windows 7). 
   Note: In Windows 8 or RT, the Preview option is available on the View tab of the Ribbon.
3. Click on a file name and the preview appears:

 

   4.  Continue clicking on each file name until you locate the desired file.
   5.  IMPORTANT: Turn off the Preview Pane, by deselecting the Preview icon, after locating the desired file. 



If you don't have Windows 7 or 8, but have Microsoft Office, you can use the Preview option from a specific application.  For example, open MS Word, click the "Open" command, and then click the Preview Pane icon (2007) or click the View icon and select "Preview" (2003).  Currently, this option does not work from Office 2010.