File preview not working when file is renamed

Anonymous
2022-03-08T12:31:57+00:00

I often have to scan multiple documents and then rename them. I used to use the preview pane in explorer and then rename in explorer and not do that from Acrobat reader since it is faster to just do it in explorer.

Starting yesterday, 3/7/22, if I do it that way the preview pane will not display the file after renaming. It gives me a "File not found - It may have been moved, edited, or deleted. - ERR_FILE_NOT-FOUND" on any file that has been renamed.

I just tried renaming by save as from acrobat, and it still reports the same error. The error repeats on local drives, server drives, and sharepoint drives.

It seems to only by pdf files.

EDIT

I notice that preview (when working) looks different. Did the preview handler change from Adobe (Acrobat) to Microsoft (Edge)?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2022-03-14T03:00:13+00:00

After trialling many different combinations, the answer is that a Microsoft Update actively changes the default to "Windows PDF Previewer" in Windows Explorer. - FIX at the bottom

These are the various error's you may see in relation to the # symbol and the default Windows Previewer.

No Hash in Folder or Filename, works as expected in Windows Explorer Previewer

1 - Starting a Folder or Filename in path with a # symbol, breaks PDF Preview

3 - Putting a # symbol in the middle of the filename OR foldername, results in "File not found" within Windows Previewer

After this, I tried changing the default PDF program handler to

  • Edge
  • Chrome
  • Adobe Reader
  • Firefox

This made no difference to the previewer. Even after closing and reopening Windows Explorer.

Adobe suggests changing the default previewer through its Preferences > General > Thumbnails

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/enable-pdf-thumbnail-preview-windows-explorer.html.

  • This also didn't work.

FIX

To customise the Windows Explorer previewer, you need to edit the registry directly to overwrite Windows using - I found this solution worked immediately. https://www.nextofwindows.com/how-to-switch-pdf-preview-handler-when-one-stopped-working

Step 1 - In Regedit go to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PreviewHandlers

Step 2 - Copy the Value Name for the Previewer that you want to use.

  • I copied the Value Name that had a data value of "Adobe PDF Preview Handler"
  • You might use "Foxit PDF Previewer" or another

Step 3 - Go to

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.pdf\shellex{8895b1c6-b41f-4c1c-a562-0d564250836f}

Step 4 - Change the Default to the Value Name you copied in Step 2.

All Fixed!

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Anonymous
2022-03-09T14:38:50+00:00

We have a user that noticed a similar issue in our organization, and I was able to replicate it on my machine. PDF files that would normally load in the preview pane are now showing the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND message. I noticed that this only seems to affect PDF files with a # character in the file name. Once I removed the # character, the preview pane loaded correctly.

My laptop is using:

Windows 10 Pro

Version: 21H2

OS Build: 19044.5126

Experience: Windows Feature Pack 120.2212.4170.0

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Anonymous
2022-05-06T07:52:10+00:00

This seems to be holding for me - Thank you to Ramesh for leading me to the answer. The issue is that the Microsoft Edge Adobe Preview Handler keeps trying to take control which is why the Adobe Repair only lasts a few days at most. The 2 Reg Adds about halfway down the page worked for me and has held for 7 days - fingers crossed.

Hope this helps!

https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/pdf-preview-directory-index-file-not-found/

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Anonymous
2022-04-08T18:33:01+00:00

I made this a bit easier to run if you just like command line stuff. Just run the following for the same effect in administrator command prompt. You can add this to a batch script now as well!

reg add HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.pdf\shellex\{8895b1c6-b41f-4c1c-a562-0d564250836f} /t REG_SZ /d {DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193} /f

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-03-10T19:50:53+00:00

    We have a user that noticed a similar issue in our organization, and I was able to replicate it on my machine. PDF files that would normally load in the preview pane are now showing the ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND message. I noticed that this only seems to affect PDF files with a # character in the file name. Once I removed the # character, the preview pane loaded correctly.

    My laptop is using:

    Windows 10 Pro

    Version: 21H2

    OS Build: 19044.5126

    Experience: Windows Feature Pack 120.2212.4170.0

    I have this exact issue, just started as well. And also has the # char in the new file names. Good catch. Has to be related to an update, but this PC isn't showing any Windows updates installed in the last two weeks, but there is a "Microsoft Edge Update 1.3.155.85" showing under Settings->Apps installed today, and the Modify and Uninstall options are, of course, grayed out. There is also "Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime 99.0.1150.36."

    Update, a repair on the WebView2 did nothing. Uninstalling it stopped the error, but now the preview pane is just blank.

    Update 2: After the above, I did a modify/repair on Acrobat Reader and it's working fine now.

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    8 people found this answer helpful.
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