In Windows Explorer, how do I get the preview to work with PDF files?

dalchina · 27 Nov 2020

Here are (I think all) the relevant registry keys to check- certain values will be different on your particular installation of course, so you need to consider that.

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You might also consider resetting pdf to default then reassociating it:
Restore Default File Type Associations in Windows 10

This little tool (though old) may be helpful:
PreviewConfig tool registers file types for the Preview Pane in Windows 7/Vista >> Winhelponline

Note how it provides the GUID which could be useful in examining your registry:

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Edwin · 27 Nov 2020

Re-install Sumatra, expanding Hidden Options, make sure boxes are check marked...

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ship69 · 27 Nov 2020

Edwin said:

Re-install Sumatra, expanding Hidden Options, make sure boxes are check marked...

Yay! Hallelujah....!

That worked. Thank everyone for all your efforts!

J

summerking · 05 Apr 2021

Lance1 said:

I tested these .reg files on my system and they work. give them I try if you like. The .reg files are in the zip for you to download. These are the contents of the Enable and Disable files.

PHP Code:


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.pdf\shellex\{8895b1c6-b41f-4c1c-a562-0d564250836f}]@="{DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193}"[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PreviewHandlers]"{DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193}"="Adobe PDF Preview Handler for Vista"

PHP Code:


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.pdf\shellex\{8895b1c6-b41f-4c1c-a562-0d564250836f}][HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PreviewHandlers]"{DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193}"=-

Hi,
Please change "Adobe PDF Preview Handler for Vista" to "Adobe PDF File" in the REG file. It should with Windows 10 64 Bit Explorer.