I also see PDFPro7hook.exe.
This is the one. Could you please uninstall and verify?
file explorer my preview pane does not open all the way.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(83.2, 59%, 18%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ELR%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Lucy R
20
Reputation points
When I am in File Explorer, my preview pane does not open all the way. As you can see here, there are three pages, and unless I shrink/minimize the page, I can't see the document, and it only shows 3/4 of the screen. I have tried all the usual help options, even cleaning the disk, uninstalling the app, and re-installing. Nothing has helped. Any help?
This is what it looks like when I minimize the screen
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage
Answer accepted by question author
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(89.60000000000001, 72%, 18%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ESI%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
SD - IA
180.3K
Reputation points
Independent Advisor
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Lucy R 20 Reputation points
2026-05-24T17:17:35.7166667+00:00 Hi,
I was perusing the files last night, and I found another lingering file for the PDFx application. As soon as I deleted/uninstalled that file, my file explorer was back to normal. The PDFPro7hook.exe turns out to be part of the Brother iPrint & Scan application. I'm back to normal.
Thank you so much for helping with this nugget. I appreciate your time and expertise. Wishing you a safe holiday weekend.
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4 additional answers
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SD - IA 180.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-05-23T21:43:51.19+00:00 Hi Lucy,
This is because you are using a 3rd party program to preview PDF files in the file explorer, which might be incompatible.
May I know which program is your default PDF viewer?
If you want to use a simple PDF viewer, Powertoys is a good option:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/file-explorer
I’m eager to hear back and work together to find a solution.
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Lucy R 20 Reputation points
2026-05-23T22:02:45.65+00:00 I'm unaware of a third-party app. When I open the file explorer, I select my file "downloads" and click on the PDF thumbnail, which used to open in the preview pane normally.
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SD - IA 180.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-05-23T22:07:22.28+00:00 I appreciate the reply. The file explorer preview pane looks like this - See there are no buttons like in your screenshot.
May I know if you are using Foxit PDF reader?
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Lucy R 20 Reputation points
2026-05-23T22:19:02.4233333+00:00 Yes, that's what it used to look like. I'm not sure what happened. I don't have Foxit PDF installed.
I did have Adobe X and Adobe Suite installed, but I uninstalled them, mainly because I was not using them.
It started the other day, when I opened my file explorer.
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SD - IA 180.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-05-23T22:26:27.1533333+00:00 Alright. Could you please go to Settings app > Apps > Installed apps, and see if there is any other PDF reader installed?
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Lucy R 20 Reputation points
2026-05-23T22:38:05.61+00:00 I have a Kofax PDF viewer, but that is for my Brother iPrint & Scan. I've been using this for 7+ years, and I never had a problem before.
I also see PDFPro7hook.exe.
also,
Does it matter if I use Edge and not Chrome?
Thank you for taking the time. This is soo frustrating!
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SD - IA 180.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-05-25T02:54:11.73+00:00 Awesome! I was glad I was able to help you.
If your problem is resolved, please take a moment to rate the answer. Wishing you good luck!