PDF Previewer Error in Explorer

[joyce_8956]

Old laptop running Windows 11 and no issues whatsover with PDF previewer in Explorer.  Two new laptops, same brand, running Windows 11, and both have the same issue.  In Adobe settings, the option to "Enable PDF thumbnail previews in Windows Explorer" is grayed out and cannot be selected.  I've read a lot of discussions, but none exactly like this. 

PLEASE HELP!  I used this feature all day everyday.

[Amal.]

Hi there 

Hope you are doing well and thanks for reaching out. 

The option "Enable PDF thumbnail previews in Windows Explorer" may be greyed out if your computer is managed by your IT team. They might have installed a custom version of Acrobat and disabled this setting so you can’t change it.

If that’s not the case, please make sure Acrobat is up to date. To check for updates, open Acrobat > Help > Check for Updates.

~Amal

[joyce_8956]

Thank you for your response.  My computer is not managed by any IT team, and Adobe was installed by Geek Squad.   I have also uninstalled and reinstalled previously.  Acrobat is up to date.  On the laptop I purchased a month ago, this same problem occurred and Adobe support tech installed Power Toys.  That app caused more issues than it fixed, and Geek Squad could not get that laptop functioning properly.  I returned it and purchased a new one, and yet the same issue.   On the original laptop that I was replacing, I had zero issues with Adobe preview. 

Any other suggestions for a solution?

[Amal.]

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing these details.

Since your system isn’t managed by IT and Acrobat is already up to date, the issue with the “Enable PDF thumbnail previews in Windows Explorer” option being greyed out could be related to how the application is registered on your device.

Here are a few steps you can try:

• Repair Acrobat installation  (Win Only) – Open Acrobat > Help > Repair Installation. This will restore missing or broken components that might affect preview functionality.
• Reinstall the application – Sometimes, reinstalling Acrobat usually fixes it. The Acrobat cleaner tool https://adobe.ly/4oemvzI , reboot the computer and reinstall the application using the direct link https://adobe.ly/3KIWMRI 

~Amal

[joyce_8956]

Amal, thank you for these suggestions.  I have followed every step, repair, uninstall, reinstall, until, cleaner tool, reinstalled from the link and the option to enable PDF thumnail previews in Windows Explorer is still grayed out.  I just don't understand.  I did not have this issue at all on the previous MS Surface Pro, but had this issue on the Surface laptop and this new Surface Pro. I'm exasperated and exhausted.

[Meenakshi Negi]

Hi joyce_8956 ,

Sorry for the delay in response.

As the troubleshooting didn't help, please share the current Acrobat and OS version on the machine. Also, please collect the logs using the diagnostic tool and share the log ID with us. 

Please try updating to the latest version release recently. In Acrobat, go to Menu > Help > Check for updates. For more information on updates, refer to the following help page: https://adobe.ly/4oyDSvA. 

If the issue has already been resolved, let us know.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

[joyce_8956]

Thank you, Meenakshi,  for your response.  The issue has not been resolved.  I followed the steps to collect the logs, and received error messages during that process.  Screen shots are attached, as well as screen shots of the issue in File Explorer.  Log ID: efff135a-690e-4498-95bb-e58df3bd28eb

Adobe update is current.  Version 25.001.20844

Windows 11 Home Version 25H2 OS Build 26200.7171

Snapdragon ® X 12-core X1E80100 @3.40 Hz

64-bit operating system, ARM-based processor

Thanks, 

Joyce

[S. S]

Hi @joyce_8956,

Thank you for wiritng in!

PDF thumbnail preview for Windows Explorer is unavailable with Acrobat running on ARM processor based Windows Machines.

You can refer to the help article for more information: https://adobe.ly/4p3shVX

Hope this clarifies your question.

Regards,
Souvik.

[joyce_8956]

Wow.  This is incredibly disappointing.  Not having this preview feature slows my productivity by half.  If I am reading this right, my only option to remedy problem this is to utilize a different application? Will there be updates to the Adobe software to rectify this?

[S. S]

Hi @joyce_8956,

The team is working on it, and the fix is expected to be live soon.

Meanwhile, can you try this:

Start > Internet Options > Security > Trusted Sites > Sites > Add the websites you typically download files from. 

Once done, close and apply. 

Previews should be visible from there. 

Let me know if this works for you.

Regards,
Souvik.