broken explorer preview Office 2010 part 1

nabilalk

I can't see any previews in Explorer for Office files, docx, pptx, etc...I just see blank spaces. I'm sure a fix is out there, but since Msft decided to name these preview handlers, its tough to Google anything with the word preview and find anything relevant.

My PDF previews are broken too.

32 bit Win 7 Pro.

Solution: Reformat fix broken preview pane

Irene

Might help to run the Diagnostics to find and repair the installation:

Open Word - touch the Office Button -> Word Options -> Resources, then click on "Run Microsoft Office Diagnostics."

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

Might help to run the Diagnostics to find and repair the installation:

Open Word - touch the Office Button -> Word Options -> Resources, then click on "Run Microsoft Office Diagnostics."

I don't think the problem is with Office as I just installed 2010. I believe its with Explorer. Also, I don't see the Diagnostics option in Options. 2010 does not have the Office button.

Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by nabilalk

I don't think the problem is with Office as I just installed 2010. I believe its with Explorer. Also, I don't see the Diagnostics option in Options. 2010 does not have the Office button.

Sorry about that - I have been away from home (and my copy of Office 2010) all day - I'll take another look at your problem again now that I am back.

Just to be sure that I am clear - you mean explorer which is accessed from a right-click on the Start button? This would open Your Libraries.

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by nabilalk

I don't think the problem is with Office as I just installed 2010. I believe its with Explorer. Also, I don't see the Diagnostics option in Options. 2010 does not have the Office button.

Sorry about that - I have been away from home (and my copy of Office 2010) all day - I'll take another look at your problem again now that I am back.

Just to be sure that I am clear - you mean explorer which is accessed from a right-click on the Start button? This would open Your Libraries.

Thanks man.

Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by nabilalk

I don't think the problem is with Office as I just installed 2010. I believe its with Explorer. Also, I don't see the Diagnostics option in Options. 2010 does not have the Office button.

Just to be sure that I am clear - you mean explorer which is accessed from a right-click on the Start button? This would open Your Libraries.

Thanks man.

How are you accessing your 'Explorer'?

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

Just to be sure that I am clear - you mean explorer which is accessed from a right-click on the Start button? This would open Your Libraries.

Thanks man.

How are you accessing your 'Explorer'?

I access Windows Explorer by double clicking on the user folder on the desktop, or via the start menu.

Irene

Good information here:
Include folders in a library

Extract from the link:
.

Quote:

A library gathers content from various folders. You can include folders from different locations in the same library, and then view and arrange the files in those folders as one collection. For example, if you keep some of your pictures on an external hard drive, you can include a folder from that hard drive in your Pictures library, and then access that folder's files in your Pictures library whenever the hard drive is connected to your computer.

The navigation pane, showing the Pictures library with three included folders

To learn more about what types of folders you can include in a library, see Libraries: frequently asked questions.

nabilalk

I know about the Libraries. But how does that relate to the broken Explorer previews in the preview pane?

Irene

Can you post a view - screen print - of the window?

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

Can you post a view - screen print - of the window?

preview pane is blank. This occurs with all Office document types and PDFs as well. I'm using 32 bit Win 7 Pro

Irene

Are the files which you don't see, from Office 2010 or earlier versions?

Golden

Hi,

Can I just check something? If you click on the Tools Folder Options in Explorer, and then select View, is the option shown in the image below ticked?

Regards,
Golden

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Golden

Hi,

Can I just check something? If you click on the Tools Folder Options in Explorer, and then select View, is the option shown in the image below ticked?

Regards,
Golden

I can't see any version of office files and yes the box is ticked.

Golden

Mmmm....OK let me investigate a bit more.

Do you use Outlook? Can you preview files sent to you using Outlook?

Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

Can you post a view - screen print - of the window?

preview pane is blank. This occurs with all Office document types and PDFs as well. I'm using 32 bit Win 7 Pro

The view you show, appears to me, to be through "My Computer".

Can you you view all of the files if you open Word 2010?

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

Can you post a view - screen print - of the window?

preview pane is blank. This occurs with all Office document types and PDFs as well. I'm using 32 bit Win 7 Pro

The view you show, appears to me, to be through "My Computer".

Can you you view all of the files if you open Word 2010?

I can view any Word document or text file in Word 2010. My issue is with the explorer preview pane. I hope I understood your question.

Irene

OK, I have it at last!

You must have at some tome touched the show/hid preview pane - see below - just touch the icon in the red circle and your preview pane will re-appear!
.

Golden

Hi Irene,

I think he has already tried that - if you look in his attached image in Post #11, you will see the preview has been activated (compare his image to mine below). My gut feeling is that the functionality has somehow been disabled (possibly somewhere in Policies). I'm having a bit of a dig for it.......

Regards,
Golden

Golden

OK......this is worth a go, although I'm not sure how it would have changed (is this PC in a corporate environment by any chance?). The Preview pane can be disabled by using a specific policy : lets check to see it that is the case.

1. Click Start Orb, and in the search box type gpedit.msc and hit enter. (gpedit = group policy editor)
2. Navigate to Preview Pane Location as shown in the attached image.
3. Right-click on the option, and then select edit.
4. Is the Preview Pane Location shown as Not configured, Enabled, or Disabled? (refer to the attached image)

Regards,
Golden

Irene

Thanks for the explanation, Golden.

However, someone else with the same problem here, with some suggestions to resolve the issue:
Win 7 preview pane - Microsoft Answers

One recommendation is to run an SFC scan:
How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7

Quote:

Use the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe) to determine which file is causing the issue, and then replace the file. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open an elevated command prompt. To do this, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
2. Type the following command, and then press ENTER: sfc /scannow
   The sfc /scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

To determine which files could not be repaired by the System File Checker tool, follow these steps:

1. Open an elevated command prompt.
2. Type the following command, and then press ENTER: findstr /C:"[SR] Cannot repair member file" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt
   Note The Sfcdetails.txt file contains details from every time that the System File Checker tool has been run on the computer. The file includes information about files that were not repaired by the System File Checker tool. Verify the date and time entries to determine the problem files that were found the last time that you ran the System File Checker tool.
3. Type the following command, and then press ENTER: edit sfcdetails.txt
   The Sfcdetails.txt file uses the following format: Date/Time SFC detail

Golden

Oh nice find Irene

Some of those suggestions look far, far easier than using gpedit. Hopefully they work because I cannot see how the policy would have changed, except if this PC is in a corporate environment, and it was changed on purpose for security reasons.

Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Golden

Oh nice find Irene

Some of those suggestions look far, far easier than using gpedit. Hopefully they work because I cannot see how the policy would have changed, except if this PC is in a corporate environment, and it was changed on purpose for security reasons.

We just need to wait now for nabilalk to try it/them out.

Imperfect1

I don't think anyone's suggested fixing the preview options
specifically for MS Office. Try this:

From an MS Office doc (i.e. a Word doc) click on the MS button in the upper-left corner, select Word Options, and on the 'Popular' screen (the first screen) check: "Enable Live Preview."

Golden

Mmm...thats Word 2007 right? I can't find that option in Word 2010......I'll dig a bit more.

Imperfect1

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Golden

Mmm...thats Word 2007 right? I can't find that option in Word 2010......I'll dig a bit more.

Yes, it is Word 2007. I was assuming that MS hadn't changed that function in Word 2010 because it's so basic and essential. But we all know about the pitfalls of assuming. . .

Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Imperfect1

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Golden

Mmm...thats Word 2007 right? I can't find that option in Word 2010......I'll dig a bit more.

Yes, it is Word 2007. I was assuming that MS hadn't changed that function in Word 2010 because it's so basic and essential. But we all know about the pitfalls of assuming. . .

It's in File - Options - General (second option down)

Golden

Ah OK. Thanks Irene.

Yeah, I don't think Live Preview is the trick : from what I can see that affects the "live" changes inside Word as you change fonts etc.

Imperfect1

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Imperfect1

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Golden

Mmm...thats Word 2007 right? I can't find that option in Word 2010......I'll dig a bit more.

Yes, it is Word 2007. I was assuming that MS hadn't changed that function in Word 2010 because it's so basic and essential. But we all know about the pitfalls of assuming. . .

It's in File - Options - General (second option down)

Good for you Irene! Thanks for finding it!

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Golden

OK......this is worth a go, although I'm not sure how it would have changed (is this PC in a corporate environment by any chance?). The Preview pane can be disabled by using a specific policy : lets check to see it that is the case.

1. Click Start Orb, and in the search box type gpedit.msc and hit enter. (gpedit = group policy editor)
2. Navigate to Preview Pane Location as shown in the attached image.
3. Right-click on the option, and then select edit.
4. Is the Preview Pane Location shown as Not configured, Enabled, or Disabled? (see attached image)

Regards,
Golden

@Golden:

Preview pane works for image files (see attached), so the function is not disabled. It does not work for Office files or PDFs.

This is a personal PC, so no on corporate environment.

4. Is the Preview Pane Location shown as Not configured, Enabled, or Disabled? Not configured

Imperfect1

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Imperfect1

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Golden

Mmm...thats Word 2007 right? I can't find that option in Word 2010......I'll dig a bit more.

Yes, it is Word 2007. I was assuming that MS hadn't changed that function in Word 2010 because it's so basic and essential. But we all know about the pitfalls of assuming. . .

It's in File - Options - General (second option down)

Nabilalk, have you checked out Irene's great find of the Preview option in Word 2010?

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Imperfect1

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Imperfect1

Yes, it is Word 2007. I was assuming that MS hadn't changed that function in Word 2010 because it's so basic and essential. But we all know about the pitfalls of assuming. . .

It's in File - Options - General (second option down)

Nabilalk, have you checked out Irene's great find of the Preview option in Word 2010?

Enable Live Preview:

Yes I have checked that out, but preview is different than Explorer's:
"Show a preview of how a feature affects a document as you hover over different choices." That preview is for within Word.

Golden

�� Quote: Originally Posted by nabilalk

@Golden:

Preview pane works for image files (see attached), so the function is not disabled. It does not work for Office files or PDFs.

This is a personal PC, so no on corporate environment.

4. Is the Preview Pane Location shown as Not configured, Enabled, or Disabled? Not configured

Mmm.OK, Not configured means that the policy hasn't been altered at all, which is the usual setting for a home install. That looks normal.

Did you try some of Irene's suggestions in Post #21 that she found?

Regards,
Golden

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Golden

�� Quote: Originally Posted by nabilalk

@Golden:

Preview pane works for image files (see attached), so the function is not disabled. It does not work for Office files or PDFs.

This is a personal PC, so no on corporate environment.

4. Is the Preview Pane Location shown as Not configured, Enabled, or Disabled? Not configured

Mmm.OK, Not configured means that the policy hasn't been altered at all, which is the usual setting for a home install. That looks normal.

Did you try some of Irene's suggestions that she found?

Regards,
Golden

Tried them all. I think my Explorer might be broken or something.

Golden

Mmmm... usually a sfc /scannow should fix that. Did it find any problems when you ran it?

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Golden

Mmmm... usually a sfc /scannow should fix that. Did it find any problems when you ran it?

running now and will post log.

scan done: no integrity violations found.

Golden

Well, I'm stumped. Perhaps its time to call in the big guns : I'll see if I can get some more experienced folk to have a look at this. Stay tuned.

Have requested some help - please check back regularly.

Regards,
Golden

Hopalong X

Golden says this hasn't been tried yet.

I may have found something.
Index - Add or Remove File Types

I just checked mine and pdf are checked.
All Word doc extensions are also.

Anyway this is where you choose ALL Explorer search document extensions to search.

Left pic is Snip off my PC showing Word docs. PDF is listed also.
If the boxes are unchecked that you want in win EXplore check them.
Then the Indexing will occur which as stated in tutorial may take a while.
So it won't necessarily be instant results and show in Search.


If above is checked then????
Make sure boxes are selected first in above tutorial before any of below.
Right Snip at same window but different tab shows Trouble shooting option and Rebuild Index. Never used or tried by me so????
Also Advanced Indexing Help at bottom of the window.
Hope that helps.

Mike

Irene

That is a superb Sevenforum tutorial in your link, Hopalong.

I looked through some of the related links at the bottom and came across this, which may also be useful:
How do I restart the Windows Search service?

1. Open Administrative Tools by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Administrative Tools.
2. Double-click Services. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. In the Services dialog box, under Name, double-click Windows Search.
4. In the Windows Search Properties dialog box, click Stop, then click Start, and then click OK.

nabilalk

I don't see how Windows search is related to the broken previews that I am getting? And all of the Office filetypes were already checked. Thanks.

Hopalong X

If they aren't indexed in Windows Explorer they won't be listed in Office from my understanding.

If they are checked they should be indexed. It was one of those potential problems that was simple to check.

I may have been over hopeful it was the problem and would resolve your situation but I was searching and looking for a solution to the best of my ability and knowledge. Learning new things as I'm going.

It isn't like others and myself are not trying.

Mike

Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Hopalong X

It isn't like others and myself are not trying.

Well said, Mike.

Anak

I did not see Step 1 checked for, and you have already preformed Step 3.

I'm thinking it is Step 2 or the Note at the bottom of the quote that may be the culprit here, if the OP has a non Microsoft media player installed.

Quote:

Step 1:
Check if the option "Show thumbnails instead of icons" is selected on the computer.
a. Click Start, click Control Panel. (Classic View)
b. Click on the System icon.
c. Click on the advanced system settings link.
d. Under Performance, click on the Settings button.
e. In the Visual Effects tab, Check "Show thumbnails instead of icons"
f. Apply the changes, restart the computer and check if the issue persists.


Step 2:
This problem also occurs because Windows may not update the thumbnail cache.
To resolve this problem, reset the thumbnail cache. To do this, follow these steps:
a. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.
b. If you are prompted, click My files only.
c. In the Files to delete list, click to select Thumbnails.
Note: Configure other options that you want.
d. Click OK, and then click Delete files.
e. Restart the computer and check the result.


Step 3:
If the issue persists, run sfc (system file checker) scan to scan and fix missing or corrupt system files
See How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7

NOTE:
Sometimes non Microsoft media players may cause this issue. Disable them and check the result. Performing clean boot is like disabling non Microsoft programs.
See How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Source: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...8-47dff6023d20

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Hopalong X

If they aren't indexed in Windows Explorer they won't be listed in Office from my understanding.

If they are checked they should be indexed. It was one of those potential problems that was simple to check.

I may have been over hopeful it was the problem and would resolve your situation but I was searching and looking for a solution to the best of my ability and knowledge. Learning new things as I'm going.

It isn't like others and myself are not trying.

Mike

Oh I appreciate the help, so my apologies if the opposite appears. I'm just frustrated with the situation.

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Anak

I did not see Step 1 checked for, and you have already preformed Step 3.

I'm thinking it is Step 2 or the Note at the bottom of the quote that may be the culprit here, if the OP has a non Microsoft media player installed.

Quote:

Step 1:
Check if the option "Show thumbnails instead of icons" is selected on the computer.
a. Click Start, click Control Panel. (Classic View)
b. Click on the System icon.
c. Click on the advanced system settings link.
d. Under Performance, click on the Settings button.
e. In the Visual Effects tab, Check "Show thumbnails instead of icons"
f. Apply the changes, restart the computer and check if the issue persists.


Step 2:
This problem also occurs because Windows may not update the thumbnail cache.
To resolve this problem, reset the thumbnail cache. To do this, follow these steps:
a. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.
b. If you are prompted, click My files only.
c. In the Files to delete list, click to select Thumbnails.
Note: Configure other options that you want.
d. Click OK, and then click Delete files.
e. Restart the computer and check the result.


Step 3:
If the issue persists, run sfc (system file checker) scan to scan and fix missing or corrupt system files
See How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7

NOTE:
Sometimes non Microsoft media players may cause this issue. Disable them and check the result. Performing clean boot is like disabling non Microsoft programs.
See How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Source: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...8-47dff6023d20

tried all 3 steps, with no luck. On another note, the only previews I am able to see are images. So the preview pane does work, just not for any file types except for images. Weird huh?

Anak

Did you check to see if those file types were associated as in Hoppy's post here? broken explorer preview Office 2010

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Anak

Did you check to see if those file types were associated as in Hoppy's post here? broken explorer preview Office 2010

Yes, and they were all associated properly. There must be some explorer issue if only images are able to be previewed and not mp3's nor office file types, not text files, nor PDF files.

Hopalong X

Never mind it only worked on two files.
When I tracked them down they weren't actually .doc

Arrrgggghhhhh!!!!!!!!!
It shows previews of SOME things but nothing you are looking for.

Sorry.

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Hopalong X

Never mind it only worked on two files.
When I tracked them down they weren't actually .doc

Arrrgggghhhhh!!!!!!!!!
It shows previews of SOME things but nothing you are looking for.

Sorry.

You are going above and beyond with your efforts. Hopefully a solution can be found, but if not, I can reformat. I'm due for one soon anyway.

Hopalong X

I don't know if a reformat if your refering to reinstall Windows will do anything.

I'm not getting the previews either. Not the ones you are looking for.

Mike

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Hopalong X

I don't know if a reformat if your refering to reinstall Windows will do anything.

I'm not getting the previews either. Not the ones you are looking for.

Mike

Oh really? So maybe its an Office 2010 thing then? But don't you get previews with mp3s or txt files?

Hopalong X

MP3's do show preview. So do txt.

doc and pdf no preview. I'm using Foxit Reader so that may be the reason on pdf's.

Your not getting any of those?

So now I understand your thinking on a reformat/ reinstall.

There is also a repair install option if you have a Windows disk- not the recovery like HP and Dell uses.
Repair Install

This repairs registry etc. but retains files and documents etc.

Worth a read before re installing from scratch.

Mike

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Hopalong X

MP3's do show preview. So do txt.

doc and pdf no preview. I'm using Foxit Reader so that may be the reason on pdf's.

Your not getting any of those?

So now I understand your thinking on a reformat/ reinstall.

There is also a repair install option if you have a Windows disk- not the recovery like HP and Dell uses.
Repair Install

This repairs registry etc. but retains files and documents etc.

Worth a read before re installing from scratch.

Mike

Thanks for that, I will check out the repair. I don't have preview for mp3, PDF, txt etc...I also use Foxit, but even if I switch to Adobe Acrobat as the default, I don't get PDF previews back.

Hopalong X

I just really get annoyed when we/I can't find the answer. LOL

See you tomorrow about time for bed here.

We will see what the morning brings.

Mike

nabilalk

�� Quote: Originally Posted by Hopalong X

I just really get annoyed when we/I can't find the answer. LOL

See you tomorrow about time for bed here.

We will see what the morning brings.

Mike

Reformat fixed things. I now have proper previews for PDF, Office 2010 files, txt, videos, mp3's etc.

Irene

�� Quote: Originally Posted by nabilalk

Reformat fixed things. I now have proper previews for PDF, Office 2010 files, txt, videos, mp3's etc.

Good news

Golden

Nice one - good job Irene and Hopalong.

Hopalong X

Glad you got it fixed.

Mike

MWRMWR

Thanks Irene - that had frustrated me for a few days until I read your post. Even though I have used so many PCs where it was working, I had lost the plot on this one on a PC I recently set up. I was also chasing down a blind alley by looking at the status line icon as that changes on preview too --- well for .pdf it does but not for MSOffice items (how hard would that be ?) apparently.

What is the point of the "show preview" option under Tools which seems just designed to frustrate the explorer hide/show preview button ?

BluePT

Here it is the "REAL" solution (worked for me)

Add this to your registry: (select text, copy to notepad, save as file.txt, rename file.txt to file.reg)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{6d2b5079-2f0b-48dd-ab7f-97cec514d30b}]
@="Preview Handler Surrogate Host"
"DllSurrogate"=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,\
00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,\
70,00,72,00,65,00,76,00,68,00,6f,00,73,00,74,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,00,\
00

Edstudio

�� Quote: Originally Posted by BluePT

Here it is the "REAL" solution (worked for me)

Add this to your registry: (select text, copy to notepad, save as file.txt, rename file.txt to file.reg)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{6d2b5079-2f0b-48dd-ab7f-97cec514d30b}]
@="Preview Handler Surrogate Host"
"DllSurrogate"=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,\
00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,\
70,00,72,00,65,00,76,00,68,00,6f,00,73,00,74,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,00,\
00

I JUST did what you mentioned, it worked perfectly, you are a genius!!!

BluePT

Yes. It works! I think this is the definitive solution to explorer preview error in windows7. Thread Closed.