How to view Acrobat XI Pro PDF files in Windows Explorer Preview Pane (Windows 7 Ultimate x64)

[gfr92y]

I recently upgraded my 64-bit OS from Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate and upgraded Microsoft Office from 2007 to 2010. After installing and updating the OS, MS Office, and Acrobat XI Pro, the common MS Office files displayed in the Windows Explorer thumbnail view and preview pane. However, the PDF files were only visible in the Windows Explorer thumbnail view, but not its preview pane.

When I was running Windows 7 Home Premium, Microsoft Office 2007 and Acrobat XI, I had this same problem and was able to fix it with the software from http://www.pretentiousname.com/adobe_pdf_x64_fix/index.html​. Unfortunately, when I applied the same fix running the upgraded OS and Office suite, the PDF files were still not being displayed in the Windows Explorer Preview Pane.

I need to scan the first page of 300+ PDF files and selectively move each file to one of three directories. Thinking about opening and closing all 300+ files and tracking which file goes where makes me very sad.

Can anyone help me restore the capability of viewing PDF files in the Windows Explorer Preview Pane?

Thank you very much.

Joe

[kglad · Accepted solution]

1. Go to Control Panel > folders options under each of the General, View and Search Tabs

click the Restore Defaults button and the Reset Folders button

2. Go to Internet Explorer

Tools > Options > Advanced > Reset ( no need to delete personal settings)

3. Open Acrobat Pro XI

under Edit > Preferences > General

At the bottom of page Select Default PDF Handler. I chose Adobe Pro Xi and click apply. May ask you to reboot.

[gfr92y]

The steps you provided resulted in exactly what I requested. The real bonus is the PDF renders more quickly using your fix than pretentious'. The slow speed of the other approach slows the movement between files.

I was sad having to reset my folder options, but that was a small sacrifice for the having the Preview Pane visibility.

The thumbnails no longer display the first page of the PDF file. It would be nice if they did.

Thanks, again!

Joe

[kglad]

you're welcome.

[accinccm]

I've tried all these options. Still says file cannot be previewed. What are my next steps to fix this?

[kglad]

google the problem and fixes.

[Horst Kamsoya]

I got here in 2024 with the same issue with Acrobat XI and the Windows Explorer preview pane on Windows 10. I am commenting just in case others are facing the same issue with the same setup.

None of the answers below helped. I set the PDF handler to Acrobat (XI) and PDF files open in Acrobat just fine, however the preview pane remained empty, except for the error message "This file can't be previewed."

After extensive sarch on the web I gave up and as a last resort I asked Copilot. At last, it turned out to be useful because it suggested to ... 

... Use Microsoft PowerToys

• Download and install Microsoft PowerToys.
• Open PowerToys and go to File Explorer Add-ons.
• Enable PDF (.pdf) preview.

This worked like a charm!