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Launch22595108a1bv
New Participant
August 4, 2022
Answered

Error PDF Preview Handler

  • August 4, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 188326 views

Hi, 

 

I have always been able to view PDF's in outlook and File Explorer without opening them and then one day it stuopped working. I have done the troubleshoot items and made sure its set as the default. No updates have been done and nothing change prior to make it stop working. 

 

It comes up with "This file cant be previewed because of an error in the PDF Preview Handler" 

Is there a fix for this?

    Correct answer Ryan299093595utl

    I have tried everything I can find to fix the problem with no avail.  I still can't preview PDF files in Windows explorer.

    I have:

    - reinstalled windows

    - uninstalled and reinstalled Acrobat reader

    - Made sure the preview box in Acrobat is checked

    - unchecked the Enable Protected mode at start up

    - turned off  the protected mode

    - unchecked Enhanced Security

    - rebooted the computer several times

    - ran disc cleanup

    - installed and ran ccleaner

    Is there anything else I can try, short of reformating the drive and reinstalling everything from scratch?


    Hello -I also tried various steps posted with no success. Then, I realized my default viewer was Acrobat and not the Acrobat Reader DC application. Once I switched defaults to open in the Reader application, I was able to preview the files within mail and file-explorer as normal. I hope this helps.

    2 replies

    E
    Erin38407707azin
    New Participant
    July 3, 2024

    Start > Settings > Apps.  Then do the Modify and Repair Install options for both Acrobat Pro and Reader.  This hiccup is coming from having both Pro and Reader installed together.

      T
      TheMechanic666
      New Participant
      October 1, 2024

      I noticed that repair for Acrobat Pro was enough. I didn't have to repair Reader. This problem might occur again if Reader is updated. Just remember to make Acrobat Pro default app for PDF's.

      Amal.
      Community Manager
      Amal.Community Manager
      Community Manager
      August 4, 2022

      Hi Joe,

       

      Hope you are doing well and sorry for the trouble.

       

      Would you mind sharing the version of the Acrobat DC you are using? To check the version go to Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer once.

      Also, please go through the similar discussions i have found as below and see if that helps:

      https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-reader-discussions/preview-handler-error-in-outlook-2013/td-p/7708210

      https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/pdf-previewer-error/fcfc3bc8-8005-4ac7-a02a-daec4d0f85e4

       

      Regards

      Amal

      F
      fit273364832
      New Participant
      September 20, 2022

      Hello Amal,

       

      I've got the same issue on PDF Preview Handler as Joe reported. 

      This error appared when I single click on a PDF file.

       

       

       

      As you suggested, I updated my acrobat DC and my Windows 10 too.

      I also followed all the instructions reported in the discussions you posted but the problem is still there. 

      My PDF preview on outlook works normally. 

       

      My Acrobat DC version is the 2022.002.20212 | 64 bit 

       

      Thank you

      Martina

      J
      John288273428hn0
      New Participant
      March 11, 2023

      Hello,

      I have the same problem for months and I have tried all the solutions mentioned.

      I can view many other files but no PDF, I tried with another PDF reader and it works.

      I'm on ACROBAT PRO and on Windows 11


      I have tried everything I can find to fix the problem with no avail.  I still can't preview PDF files in Windows explorer.

      I have:

      - reinstalled windows

      - uninstalled and reinstalled Acrobat reader

      - Made sure the preview box in Acrobat is checked

      - unchecked the Enable Protected mode at start up

      - turned off  the protected mode

      - unchecked Enhanced Security

      - rebooted the computer several times

      - ran disc cleanup

      - installed and ran ccleaner

      Is there anything else I can try, short of reformating the drive and reinstalling everything from scratch?

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