PDF Preview deactivated with Windows update

[jennifer_2464]

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?

[modern_brock_group_2176]

This worked for me, thank you! 

I suspect we will encounter more issues moving forward as this stupid windows 11 update will deaden any machine that can't upgrade to that platform. Windows 95 anyone? 

[kasey_5973]

What is the windows update number?

[ann_6028]

Thank you!!! 

[ani_1704]

Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jt masese]

This worked for me. THANKS

[alan_3289]

I really hate those bastards at MSFT.  

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

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

Latest update: KB5066835

[Utkarsh35493727za1t]

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.

[eve_7450]

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...

[gaston_8056]

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

[chantal_1382]

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.

[darronb74171613]

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

[proda_5656]

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]

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

[jctech2025]

I looked that up.  So does this just affect files downloaded from an external source or does it even affect files created by the user?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

If you are asking me, I don't know. My system never had the problem--which leads me to suspect it is some combination of the Windows update and GPU drivers. 

[jctech2025]

I was replying to proda_5656 as they posted the kb number.  The odd thing is this appears to only happen with pdf files.  At least we notice it only happen with pdf files on on machine.

[avid_innovator5320]

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!