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PDF Thumbnails Do Not Show in Windows

Anonymous
2024-09-10T14:40:33+00:00

Hi there. I have installed and used Adobe PDF, PDF X, FoxIt PDF, and PDFGear as PDF readers. Most recently - Adobe PDF, PDF X, and PDF FoxIt were not showing PDF thumbnails in Microsoft Windows 11. In "Files and Folders" - "Always show icons, never thumbnails" is Unchecked and applied. Cleared the thumbnail cache using Disk Cleanup. Most recently installed PDFGear and was happy to see PDF thumbnails restored. Downloaded three PDF files this morning, and those three new files do not show PDF thumbnails. Cleared the thumbnail cache using Disk Cleanup again, and now all PDF files saved do not show thumbnails. Errrr! Any help or insights would be greatly appreciated to restore PDF thumbnails for good as this appears to be a Windows 11 problem since four different PDF readers have been tried. Thank you!

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

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-09-10T15:25:34+00:00

    Hi Ramesh. Thanks for the response. I have done that step multiple times, and it has not resolved the PDF thumbnails showing as previews in Windows 11. Since I have tried four different PDF Reader programs, this appears to be an issue with a Windows 11 setting as all the previously referenced PDF Reader's are not showing thumbnails. Any other recommended options would be appreciated. Thank you.

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  2. Ramesh Srinivasan 79,560 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-09-10T15:14:42+00:00

    Hi Joshua, This is Ramesh.

    Please open Adobe Reader. Select the hamburger menu > Preferences.

    In the Preferences dialog box, choose General in the Categories list, and then select the Enable PDF thumbnail previews... check box.

    Reference:

    https://helpx.adobe.com/in/acrobat/using/enable...

    Open Default Apps and set Adobe Reader as the default handler for .PDF files.

    Let me know if that helps.

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  3. Ramesh Srinivasan 79,560 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-09-10T15:32:06+00:00

    Standard Disclaimer: There is a link to a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to provide accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

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  4. Ramesh Srinivasan 79,560 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-09-10T15:30:42+00:00

    Hi Joshua,

    If the PDFs are in the OneDrive folder, please copy some of them to a different folder (e.g., C:\PDFs) for testing purposes. If thumbnails are not generated for PDFs regardless of their location, please do the following:

    Download FileTypeDiag from https://www.pretentiousname.com/miscsoft/#FileT...

    Run the tool and type .PDF. Click "Save" to generate a PDF association report.

    Share the log file on OneDrive.

    How-To: Share OneDrive files and folders - Microsoft Support: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/shar...

    OneDrive sharing options - screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/vZyxpY9

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