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File Explorer Error (This file can't be previewed because of an error in the PDF Preview Handler)

Anonymous
2023-09-11T16:06:58+00:00

Recently, I have received an error message when trying to preview pdf docs in File Explorer.

(This file can't be previewed because of an error in the PDF Preview Handler).

I use Microsoft Edge as my default pdf reader (last updated on 9/9/23)

I am using Windows 10 Home version 22H2.

Can anyone help?

Microsoft Edge | Read PDFs | Windows 10

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-09-16T03:47:12+00:00

    Thank you for the image, A.

    According to this value, you have installed Adobe Reader and this program is used to display the preview pane. In that case, you can change Adobe Reader settings to fix this issue. Please open Adobe Reader, select Edit, preferences, enhanced security then disable Enable protected mode at start up. Close the app and try again.

    If you need anything else, please let me know.

    40+ people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2024-10-19T18:56:11+00:00

    Thanks for your reply, but that did not work. I was with Adobe support for hours. They tried your solution among many others (including a complete and radical technician assisted uninstall and reinstall of Adobe Acrobat Pro) and nothing they did fixed the issue. The preview panel continues to show the error message: This file can't be previewed because of an error in the PDF Preview Handler. My computer is a brand new (Oct 2024) Dell XPS13 with Windows 11. Again, thanks for your reply.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2024-03-15T09:58:38+00:00

    My user had the same issue, they use Microsoft Edge for opening PDF files. I selected a PDF file then went to File -> Options -> View -> tick Show preview handlers and bars. Then I went to View -> Preview pane and unselected it and let them sign out / sign in to their windows account. After signing in it fixed the problem and showed the previews.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-09-11T18:26:00+00:00

    Hi. I'll be happy to assist you today.

    Sorry to know you're experiencing this Edge issue.

    In order to fix it, I'll need additional information about this issue.

    Have you installed another app to read or modify pdf files?

    Is Edge default app for pdf files?

    I'll be waiting for your feedback.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2023-09-12T03:51:49+00:00

    Thanks for your feedback, A.

    Please try disabling the preview pane, next log off, login again to your account, enable again the preview pane and check if you are able to see pdf file.

    Please let me know if that solves the issue.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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