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Windows 11 File Explorer Preview Pane for PDF files not working consistently

Anonymous
2022-11-24T17:18:38+00:00

I am running Windows 11 version 21H2 patched up to date and have noticed this problem recently, although I am not sure exactly when it started in relation to recent patches.
When I open a folder the preview pane shows "Select a file to preview".
Selecting a .jpg file shows the preview.
Selecting a .doc file shows "No preview available" - expected as I do not have Microsoft Office.
Selecting a .pdf file causes the preview pane to go blank.

My solution is to untick the Show Preview Pane option, close explorer, open explorer, tick the Show Preview Pane option.
Selecting a .pdf file now shows the preview. (This does not work without closing explorer and reopening it.)
Has anyone else experienced this, and more to the point, does anyone know of a fix?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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
    2022-11-25T15:57:49+00:00

    Hi Ramesh,

    Thank you, but I think I will live with the problem rather than try fiddling about with things to see what happens.

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2022-11-24T20:18:14+00:00

    Hi Ramesh,

    Thank you for the reply, but unfortunately it has not improved the situation, even after a reboot.

    I have noticed that some pdf files show a small box in the top left corner of the preview pane. I have not noticed this before.

    I have now turned on the thumbnail preview and that seems to work.

    It is better than it was.

    Thank you.

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-15T19:06:27+00:00

    I've had the same issues with pdf preview handler in windows file explorer and outlook. Was just able to resolve by checking a box! It's a preferences setting to enable pdf thumbnail previews in windows explorer. Enable thumbnail preview of PDFs in Windows Explorer (adobe.com)

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2022-11-24T20:24:39+00:00

    Well that was a bit short lived.

    It has stopped working.

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2023-01-18T16:15:13+00:00

    "Clear the thumbnail cache using Disk Cleanup." ??

    Can you please enlighten us on how to do this?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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