As you already know, here we find one of the applications integrated into the operating system that we use the most on a day-to-day basis with the PC. Therefore, it is highly recommended to customize and optimize the operation of the windows explorers in order to adapt it to our needs. This is precisely the case that we are going to talk about below in order to see the preview of these office files. In fact, the change that we are going to show you below will not only affect the aforementioned PDFs, but will also allow us to preview a multitude of common file formats in the system.
When we first open this application we find all the drives and folders on our computer hard drives. From here we can navigate through all that content and carry out different tasks related to our folders and files. But in this specific case we are interested in taking a look at the menus located at the top of the Explorer interface.
Next, in the menu bar that we find at the top of the window, we click on the “View” tab. Later we select the “Preview Panel” option, which we find in the Panels section to the left of the bar. Once this is done, the panel will be activated showing a preview of the content of the selected file.
However, this option is not compatible with the PDF format so, in order to enable it, we will have to use one of the following options that we will see below.
Problems with previews in Explorer
Windows File Explorer is one of the elements that we use the most among all the tools that Microsoft offers us here by default. This is a feature that we use to manage and open all the content that is stored on our drives. At the same time, it includes a multitude of additional functions that help us improve the user experience on windows.
However, on certain occasions we may find that this element of the system does not work as well as we would like. This is something that can be extended to the preview of the office files that we are talking about in these same lines. Therefore, if despite having activated the function that we mentioned above in the browser, the PDFs are not seen, we will restart the corresponding system process.
There are some important Windows components such as File Explorer, the Start menu, and the Taskbar, which depend on a process that is constantly running in the background of Windows. It is the popular Explorer.exe that sometimes stops working correctly, so we must restart it. To do this, we just have to access the system task manager and look for the process called File Explorer, to click with the right mouse button on it.
Now we can finish the task so that the process automatically restarts as such and solves the problem of previewing the PDF.
Applications to activate it
In order to see a preview of the PDFs that we have stored, it will be necessary to resort to third-party applications. In this case we are talking about several readers, which, when installed and used as default, will allow us to obtain the desired preview. They are all free and work correctly, so we should not be afraid when installing or using them since they are very reliable. Specifically, we are going to show you some of the most interesting software solutions external to the operating system itself for this type of task.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
It is one of the most used tools for open and read PDF files and with which we can also enable the preview for this format, so that it can be viewed from Windows File Explorer. The application includes a thumbnail extractor as well as a previewer shell extension with which it is possible to generate PDF thumbnails in the Explorer. Therefore, in case we do not have it installed, the main thing will be to download it for free and install it on our computer.
It must be taken into account that in this case we are dealing with one of the programs that could be considered the most representative when working with these files. That is why Adobe offers us a huge number of functions related to them that we can take advantage of.
Once installed, we need to configure Acrobat DC to be our default PDF reader. Later we start it and click on the “Edit” tab, then click on “Preferences” and finally on “General”.
Next, we must check the box «Enable tile previews in Windows Explorer«. Finally, we click “OK” to save the changes. From this moment on, if we open any folder that contains PDF files, we can get a thumbnail preview.
I like
Being Adobe the creator of this format, there is no better application to work with files in PDF format than Adobe Acrobat Reader. It includes a large number of functions and is an application that every user should have installed on their computer if they usually work with this type of file format.
I don’t like
Due to the large number of functions that it puts at our disposal, its use can be a bit confusing. In addition, for the same reason, finding some functions to make adjustments can take us a long time if we use the application regularly.
NitroReader
This is another editing application with which we can take full control over the PDF files that we use regularly. With this tool we can edit, read or make all kinds of modifications. In addition, it can be used to generate thumbnail previews of all the files in this format that we have stored on the hard drive from the File Explorer.
Therefore, the first thing we will have to do is download it. The software has a trial version, which at the end we can continue using for free without problem. It has compatible versions for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. Once downloaded, it will only be necessary to configure it as default to be able to generate the thumbnail preview of any PDF file.
Pros
Nitro is one of the easiest applications to use, making it ideal for novice users. It takes up very little space and the user interface is very intuitive, if somewhat dated.
cons
Some of the features available through the app are paid, however using the trial version is more than enough for most users with basic needs.
PDF Preview
We are now talking about a free add-on that, when installed, will allow File Explorer to take charge of generating and showing a preview of any of our PDF files. With this tool, once installed, we will only have to select a file and press the key combination “Alt+P” to be able to get a direct access to the preview of the file.
To obtain PDF Preview we must download it for free. Later we execute the installation file and it will be installed automatically as our default PDF reader, this is important so that the reader can generate the thumbnails. Once we have installed it, the application shows a thumbnail preview of the icons, however, it does not support PDF files that are password protected.
In favor
Completely free application with which we will be able to access the previews of the files in this format using a simple keyboard shortcut, so its use is very simple.
Against
Just as its ease of use is one of its strong points, it is also its weak point, since the number of configuration options is quite limited, not to say that it is practically nil.
Sumatran PDF
This application features the best PDF viewers on the market and it is completely free. In addition to PDF, the application supports formats such as MOBI, EPUB, CBZ, CBR XPS, DjVu, FB2 and CHM. With it we can open any PDF file, as well as other book or document formats. Although it does not have the possibility of editing tasks, it does have basic viewing tools. This will allow us to zoom, rotate, change the layout of the pages and print documents.
We can download it from This application includes a module with which to generate thumbnails and previews of PDF files. To do this we must enable this option before beginning the installation. Once the installer has been executed, click on the Options section and click on the checkbox Show preview icons in PDF documents. In this way, once the program is installed we will have it available.
It is true that, as we saw first-hand as soon as we accessed this web application, its user interface is not the most beautiful at the moment. It needs an update from its developers, but it is perfectly capable of offering us the functionality we are looking for in this case.
Well
Together with Adobe Acrobat Reader, Sumatra PDF is one of the best PDF file viewers, an application that is also completely free and is compatible with a large number of file formats, including electronic books.
Bad
The user interface needs an urgent renovation to adapt, at least, to the design of Windows 10, which is very similar to that of Windows 11. Another negative aspect that we find in Sumatra PDF is that the number of advanced functions is very limited.
microsoft edge
The Web browser currently has a built-in previewer module called “pdfPreviewHandler.dll” (“Microsoft PDF Previewer”). During your browser reinstall or update process, the preview handler for PDF documents that we have mentioned as default should be set. In the event that this does not happen, we can configure it manually by executing a command from a Command Prompt window.
To do this, we use the Start menu search box to type cmd and open the Command Prompt as administrator. Later we write the command that appears in the image and press Enter to confirm.
After this, Edge should be able to offer a preview when viewing PDF documents.
Advantages
Being the native Windows browser and including a simple file editor in PDF format, this is one of the best tools for working with this file format, since it is also completely free and is integrated into the system.
Drawbacks
The number of features is quite limited, however, it offers more features than other similar apps.
microsoft power toys
Windows has programs that, although they are not installed by default, can help us improve…
Facebook Comments
Disqus