Participating Frequently

Answered

PDF Preview deactivated with Windows update

Forum|Forum|6 months ago
October 15, 2025
24 replies
75802 views

My computer restarted after windows updates and now I'm unable to preview pdf's as before. I have tried resetting View Options... in different options as suggested by multiple forums. None have been able to re-activate the Preview Pane option. In Adobe preferences, I've checked and unchecked "Enable PDF thumbnail previews in Windows Explorer" without success.

Coworkers are now experiencing the same thing after the automatic updates occurred after-hours. Suggestions or alternatives to opening each file?

PDF

Correct answer FRNZZZ

TRY THIS!

open Powershell as admin

paste this:
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3" -Name "180F" -Value 0 -Type DWord; Stop-Process -Name explorer -Force; Start-Process explorer.exe

DONE!

Show previous replies

M

mctimoth

Participant

It appears that Windows 11 update KB5066834 includes security changes that restrict file previews for files that could contain potentially malicious content. Although this seems intended mainly for files in the Downloads folder, the change appears to affect other locations as well.

Unblocking the affected files as suggested by others here works.

Another fix it to add local network paths to Trusted sites:

Open Control Panel → Internet Options → Security → Trusted Sites → Sites. Uncheck “Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone”. Add your local network paths using this format:

file://your-server.your-domain.local

Repeat for any other servers or network locations where file previews are needed.

This workaround reduces some of the security protections introduced by KB5066834, so use it only in trusted environments (e.g., internal networks).

J

jctech2025

Known Participant

Hi All,

So I tried the "unblock" method which does work. I also tried adding the site where the staff in my company are downloading the files from. I added drive.google.com to Trusted sites. After adding, I still get the preview blocked unless I check "unblock". Anyone else seeing the same issue?

A

Anonymous

I am also having this same issue since the update and nothing has worked. Oddly enough I can view pdfs created before the last windows security update but any "newly" created pdf are not viewable in the preview pane. Beyond frustrating. I tried every fix listed in this forum and nothing has worked. Most important thing to note is I am having this issue and I use a different pdf handler - so this is not an Adobe issue.

A

avid_innovator5320

Participant

Good morning friends,

I just discovered I have this problem also. Suddenly everyone at my company is yelling at me about it (I'm the owner and resident "IT guy").

I found a fix, it is not optimal, but it works 100% of the time.

Right click on the pdf you'd like to preview:

Properties --> General then look at the bottom of that screen. You'll see a new option warning you that this file was created on another computer, Check the "unblock" box, and the preview problem is fixed.

Good news this works 100% or the time, bad news it has to be done for every file not created on your computer.

Take care, hope this helps some folks!

C

Chavito72

Participant

Hello avid_innovator5320,

Have you perhaps any suggestions on how can one run this fix to several computers (100+) each with 1000+ Adobe PDF Files?

P

proda_5656

Participant

This is not something caused by Adobe. This is Microsoft pushing a Windows update. Uninstalling update KB5066835 will resolve this issue.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

They also release another update KB5070773 on 10/21/2025. That might fix the problem.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

darronb74171613

Participant

It's Microsoft.......no more security updates for Windows 10 so they've block any potential problems that might occur using the preview pane......

C

chantal_1382

Participant

Bonjour à tous et toutes,

Concernant le problème d'aperçus pour les fichiers pdf dans l'explorateur Windows, en attendant qu'une solution définitive soit trouvée par Microsoft, j'ai trouvé une parade, certes pénible mais qui fonctionne. (Yes !!)

Je vais dans l'explorateur et double clic sur le fichier dont je n'ai pas l'apercu. Il s'ouvre dans Adobe acrobate et je le ré-enregistre sous le même nom dans le même dossier que celui d'origine (on va nous dire qu'il existe déja, répondre oui pour supprimer l'ancien fichier). Ah ce moment là dans l'explorateur windows, j'ais alors de nouveau l'aperçu.

Mais j'espère que Microsoft trouvera vite une parade pour ce problème qui à priori ne se voit que sur les pdf téléchgargés de mails.

E

eve_7450

Participant

Bonjour, ici j'ai appelé mon service informatique qui m'indique que microsoft a pour but de supprimer totalement le volet de visualisation car juger dangereux. Et ils n'ont pas de solution à part pour chaque fichier faire un clique droit, propriété et cocher "débloquer".... ce qui fonctionne en effet, mais sur des centaines de documents chaque jour...

G

gaston_8056

Participating Frequently

S'ils le suppriment la productivité au boulot va en prendre un coup...

U

Utkarsh35493727za1t

Adobe Employee

Hi @jennifer_2464,

Thanks for reporting this issue. To help us investigate further, please provide the following:
System Details:
1. Adobe Acrobat/Reader version (Help > About Adobe Acrobat/Reader)
2. Windows OS version/build (type winver in the Windows search box)

Reproduction Information:
1. The exact steps you followed when the issue occurred
2. A short video or screenshot of issue, if possible

Troubleshooting Step (Please try and confirm):
1. Update Acrobat/Reader to the latest version, then:
2. Go to Preferences > General
3. Check “Enable PDF thumbnail previews in Windows Explorer”
4. Click OK
5. Relaunch Acrobat 1–2 times > Close it
6. Restart your PC and check if the issue persists

Once we have this information, we can assist you further.
Thank you.

J

jennifer_2464Author

Participating Frequently

1. Continuous Release | Version 2025.001.21111 | 64-bit

2.Windows 11 Home, version 25H2 (installed on 12/5/2024)

**Successfully installed on 1/31/2026 (2026-01 Preview Update (KB5074105) (26200.7705)

Still nothing.

J

jennifer_2464Author

Participating Frequently

Forgot to mention, after trying several suggestions 3 months ago I noted that I was able to preview word & excel files (which I was unable to when I lost my preview privileges). Today, I am unable to (again). So whatever windows is doing is making things react, but it is not solving the problem. Thanks

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

The preview pane for PDFs on my system (although I usually don't have it on).

Latest update: KB5066835

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

J

jace_4656

Participant

I wanted to share a temporary workaround for the Adobe issue we've all been experiencing. While it's not a permanent solution, it worked for me at least until a patch is available from Adobe.

1. Go to your computer's settings.

2. Navigate to Windows Updates --> Update History

3. Scroll down and click 'Uninstall Updates' and click uninstall the most recent "Security Update for Microsoft Windows"

3. Reboot your computer.

You'll still have the previous security updates, but this will remove the specific update that seems to be causing the current problem. I hope this helps until Adobe provides an official fix.

M

m.t_th�o

Participant

Puisque la désinstallation de sécurité a bien marché pour vous jace_4656, c'est donc certain que le problème est bien la derniere mise à jour windows et non un problème Adobe. C'est déjà un bon pas, d'autant que des collegues admin rapportent aussi d'autres problèmes provoqués après cette mise à jour.

M

monika_3023

Participant

I am having the same issue, I work with pdf files most of the time, need to rename it according to their content, so it is very frustrating not being able to do it as I am used to, but need to open it to see, make notes on paper, then close and rename.... are we not living in the 21st century any more surranded by robots any more?
My observation is that pdf files that were created by "print to pdf" action is still previewable, but not one that were downloaded from different platforms, even though I created them.
I have been trying to find solution in the last two days, never thought of that it was caused by a Windows update, but maybe we should start questioning Microsoft then?
I hope you find a solution and let us all in trouble know.

J

jennifer_2464Author

Participating Frequently

Thanks for providing feedback everyone! There is an update in adobe this morning and after updating it my coworker was able to preview downloads from after the udpate, but not files from yesterday or before. I did the adobe update on my pc and it did not change anything.

I'm hoepful and will continue to search for the solution. Best of luck!

M

monika_3023

Participant

I uninstalled and reinstalled Adobe Acrobat Reader today - no changes. Installed PowerToys - no changes. Tried all suggestions one can find on Google - nothing helped. I feel totally lost.

Show more replies

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded