If you’re having trouble with the Windows File Explorer Preview Pane not working, don’t worry – we’ve got the fix!
This is a common issue that many people experience. It can be caused by a variety of issues, including malware infections, corrupted files, or even just a simple software glitch.
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In this article, we will walk you through some easy steps to troubleshoot and fix the problem.
Why is Windows File Explorer Preview Pane Not Working?
There can be a few different reasons why your preview pane might not be working properly. We’ll go through each of the most common causes and show you how to fix them.
- Software Glitch: The first, and most likely, reason is that you’re experiencing a software glitch. This isn’t anything to worry about – it happens from time to time with any software. To fix this, simply restart your computer. This will usually clear up any minor glitches that might be causing the problem.
- Malware Infection: Another possibility is that you have a malware infection on your system. This can cause all sorts of problems, including the preview pane not working properly. To fix this, you’ll need to run a malware scan and remove any infected files.
- Corrupted Files: Finally, it’s possible that the problem is caused by corrupted files. This can happen if your system crashes or if you experience a power outage. To fix this, you’ll need to run a file repair tool to replace any damaged files.
How to Fix the Windows File Explorer Preview Pane Not Working Problem?
Now that we’ve gone over the most common reasons for the problem, let’s take a look at how to fix it.
Turn On the Preview Pane in Windows Explorer
It’s possible that the Preview pane in File Explorer has been inadvertently disabled. You must verify and turn it on again.
If the preview pane is turned off, you will not be able to see previews of files in Windows File Explorer. To turn on the preview pane, open Windows File Explorer, click on the View option at the top menu, hover your mouse pointer to Show, and select the Preview pane option.
Enable Show Preview Handlers
If you’re still having trouble with the preview pane not working correctly, it’s possible that your system settings are causing the issue. One setting that can affect the preview pane is “Show preview handlers in preview pane.”
This setting is located in the Folder Options dialog box. To access this dialog box, follow these steps:
- Go to File Explorer, click on the three dots at the top menu, and select Options.
- In the Folder Options dialog box, go to the View tab and make sure that “Show preview handlers in preview pane” is enabled.
- Relaunch File Explorer. The Preview pane should show you a preview of the relevant files.
Disable “Always Show Icons, Never Thumbnails”
If you’re still not seeing previews in the preview pane, try disabling “Always show icons, never thumbnails.” This setting is also located in the Folder Options dialog box.
To access this dialog box, follow these steps:
- Go to File Explorer, click on the three dots at the top menu, and select Options.
- In the Folder Options dialog box, go to the View tab and make sure that “Always show icons, never thumbnails” is disabled.
- Relaunch File Explorer and you should see previews in the preview pane.
Restore File Explorer to Default Settings
If none of the above solutions work, you can try restoring File Explorer to its default settings. This will reset all of the File Explorer settings, including the preview pane.
To restore File Explorer to its default settings, follow these steps:
- Go to File Explorer, click on the three dots at the top menu, and select Options.
- In the Folder Options dialog box, go to the View tab and click on the “Restore Defaults” button, and then click Apply and OK.
Conclusion
If you’ve been having trouble with your Windows File Explorer preview pane not working, hopefully, this article has helped you fix the problem. If you’re still having issues, or if you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to help.
There could be a few different reasons why you’re not able to see previews of your files in the File Explorer preview pane. It could be that your file type isn’t supported, or it could be a problem with the preview handler.
A file previewer is a program that allows you to view a preview of a file, without having to open it. This can be helpful if you just want to quickly see what’s inside a file, without taking the time to open it up.
If you’re not able to see previews of your PDF files, it’s likely because you don’t have a PDF previewer installed. There are a few different options available, such as Adobe Reader or Foxit Reader. Once you’ve installed one of these programs, you should be able to see previews of your PDF files in the File Explorer preview pane.
Peter is an Electrical Engineer whose primary interest is tinkering with his computer. He is passionate about Windows 10 Platform and enjoys writing tips and tutorials about it.
