Outlook: Problem with PDF Preview Handler
Scenario
When you want to preview a PDF attachment in the reading pane in Outlook and click Preview, it fails and you receive this error message:
"This file cannot be previewed because of an error with the following previewer: PDF Preview Handler."
https://www.mshowto.org/images/articles/2019/09/090919_1159_OutlooktaPD1.png
Solution
You can follow the troubleshooting steps below:
1. Installing the Latest Version of Adobe Reader
You can download and install the latest version Adobe Reader or try updating it. After that:
- Launch it and accept the EULA.
- Make sure that it's the default app to open PDF files.
- Restart Outlook and check if you can preview PDF attachments now.
2. Deleting Temporary Files
Corruptions and similar problems with the temporary/cache files might be the reason behind this issue.
Close Outlook.
Open Run dialog box (Windows key + R).
Copy these paths and paste into there respectively:
%temp%
%userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\
- Delete all files/folders in those paths after preferably backing up them.
3. Making Sure That "PDF Preview Handler" is Enabled
In Outlook, navigate through “File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center settings > Attachment Handling” and:
- Make sure that “Turn off Attachment Preview” box is unchecked.
- Click “Attachment and Document Previewers” button and check if “PDF Preview Handler” is enabled/ticked in the list in the opened window.
4. Manually Creating Required Adobe Reader-related Registry Records
This is the most common cause of the problem. Adobe Reader may not have created the required registry record in 64-bit Windows or it might be corrupted. In order to fix it, you'll need to create the required registry value manually:
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193}
Value name: AppID
Value type: REG_SZ
Value: {534A1E02-D58F-44f0-B58B-36CBED287C7C}
- Have a backup of the registry first. Making a mistake in registry can lead to unexpected and serious problems, so doing this beforehand is highly recommended:
https://support.microsoft.com/tr-tr/help/322756/how-to-back-up-and-restore-the-registry-in-windows
- Copy the text below and paste it to a notepad, then save it with a name like PDFPreviewHandler.reg as a REG file:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193}]
"AppID"="{534A1E02-D58F-44f0-B58B-36CBED287C7C}"
- Double-click on the REG file to merge it. After that, the corresponding value in registry will look like this:
https://www.mshowto.org/images/articles/2019/09/090919_1159_OutlooktaPD2.png
- Restart your computer.