P: No image preview on Open dialog box on Windows

Thanks to all who discussed this important topic. I'm just about to go from PS CS2 (PS version 9.02) to PS CS6 and thought that surely the problem of "no psd viewing" would have been fixed. What a disappointment. Guess it'll be Mystic Thumbs for me. Also, I don't believe for a moment that Adobe could not fix this problem if they wanted to do it. (Yes, it's a double negative, but it will have to do.) It may be more difficult than I think, with my limited knowledge, but it's essential for the photographic and graphics communities which are Adobe's best customers. It's a good guess that the company is now so well off that they no longer care about what their customers want.

The more I think about this issue I think there is more to it.
Adobe knew Microsoft was going to rental software verses boxware with permanent licenses and decided to take the same route.
I doubt that the issue is strictly related to security issues blamed on Microsoft as some third party software will let you preview images.
Management at both Adobe and Microsoft are not as interested satisfying their customer base as they are in the financial bottom line. Rental software gives both companies a continual cash flow.
Fortunately, I kept CS5 loaded and also run the update on CS6, so I preview via CS5.
I have signed up for and am using CC (Creative Cloud) and I personally am overly impressed, and rarely use it. Unless CC makes some spectacular updates/changes, doubt I will renew it after the one year contract, and stick with CS5 and CS6 standard.

Lets face it, Adobe does not care, nor does Microsoft.

I totally agree, James. I still can't figure out why they couldn't have offered some similar plugin or something.

Thanks Joni. Wish I'd read this page back when I upgraded. ;-\

Well said James!
I have advised all my people it isn't worth going to CS6, for this very reason!

Maybe a class action suit! ;-).
I installed Mystic Thumbs v. 1.98 in my 64 bit Win 7 system, nothing happened. I uninstalled it and found this link on another site: http://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/
It works like a charm. previews in any dialogue, Explorer or any program...even CS6! I can stop muttering under my breath now.
It cost $15 and already it's worth it.
Heck Adobe, you could have marketed it as an add on and made some more money, if it was just too much for you to figure it out like, clearly, many other people have.
Seeing how simple this or a Win codec is, really makes me question Adobe's sincerity on anything from now on.

I finally broke down and spent $20 on the codec for my PC to preview PSD files in explorer, which totally fixed the issue.

I think that Adobe needs to reimburse my $20...and the $20 of anyone who's had to buy that codec since they dropped this extremely basic feature from their program.

Between that decision and all of the numerous and very persistent bugs in the whole suite of apps, I really am so frustrated that I have to use this garbage heap for my job. I may try to find a copy of CS5 on ebay or something at this point, because Adobe doesn't seem to care about our concerns at all and I'm sick of the productivity drain.

When I think of all the hundreds and hundreds of dollars I've spent since my first Photoshop version on Windows 2.5, back in the 90s if not late 80s, it burns me mightily to not get a simple dialog preview of PSD and CR2 files. I have tens of thousands of images that of course I will never bother to name. I often need to search for a specific CR2 file and when Photoshop itself won't show me a preview, even though Lightroom does, guess how ripped off I feel to have bought CS6?
Adobe may have lots of rationale for dropping this ball, but it's a public relations disaster. Shame on the company, if Mystic Thumbs can figure it out for free, you can't for all the profits you've made?
Once again, corporate mindset pushes the needs of the many another rung down the ladder of the company's Need of the One, bottom line, self-serving expedience.
If it wasn't for Lightroom, which is a super image workflow program, I'd go on my own little personal Facebook vendetta against such a robotic, self-aggrandizing response here and elsewhere that fails to satisfactorily address the legitimate complaints of a lot of very unhappy people.
BTW, I am installing Mystic Thumbs now. Even if it slows my system down, it'll be a heck of a lot faster and better than opening up a few CR files in CS6 to see which images I might want...or have to go to the Import dialogue in LR to find.
Just an inexcusable lack of political will on Adobe's part. I'll think thrice before I ever buy another product from Adobe, you can count on that.

The first paragraph of your reply makes good points in response to my legitimate questions. Your reply presents facts that help me gain a greater picture of the complexity involved. I also agree that I don't have all the facts, which is why I came here seeking answers. I was presenting the facts as I understood them in order to pose questions. However, you lost me at the end of your second paragraph. I did not dismiss your explanations "out of hand", which is a phrase that implies lack of thought. My questions about your explanations were valid and based on rational thought and empirical observations comparing Photoshop and Illustrator. I feel I should let you know that your expression of doubt at my ability or willingness to understand is insulting. My questions and observations were valid. My frustration is valid. I am not playing dumb or attempting to start an argument. I am not engaging in a flame war. I came to this support forum looking for answers and to express frustration, which is why I asked that you not take my reply personally. It is important for you to remember that I am a paying customer with legitimate frustrations about changes made in the software that I use for business. I came here seeking answers, and I suppose I have them. I appreciate your additional explanation and will continue to search for a work-around.

I understand that Adobe have followed what the OS vendors are outlining and take my hat off to Adobe to get fixes in early for future OS releases. It makes sense for any business/software to make sure they can do this when they can. Future proofing is a key in developing any software.

However, my hat goes straight back on and down to my neck line with regard to not providing a suitable solution to overcome the dependencies of an OS.

I appreciate and understand all the facts are there and have been outlined several ways and many times regarding this issue. It is clear that the one fact Adobe failed to take on board was that of the product user relying on the preview function in the product.

It wasn't a good decision for the user despite the software facts and managerial 'good' decisions on the matter.

All we are asking for and want is a commitment from Adobe that they are going to add a file preview option back into what should be the best graphics tool on the market.

Considering it is software it is 100% possible to add a bespoke viewer to the program. I'm not saying its easy and I'm not saying it will be quick, I just know it can be done.

Please take on board the most important fact that users require this functionality. we actually require it as part of our workflow.

I am sure we will continue to moan and groan for eternity until it is put back.

We require preview 🙂