News: Do you find it frustrating to come across the annoying “This file cannot be previewed because of an error” message in Outlook while attempting to preview a PDF attachment? This prevalent problem can disrupt your work and lead to unwarranted delays. However, fear not! In this article, we will present you with a detailed step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and resolve the Outlook PDF preview handler error, allowing you to effortlessly preview your PDF attachments once more.
Solutions to Fix the Issue
Solution 1: Update Your PDF Reader Software
Make sure that your PDF reader software, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, is current. Using an outdated PDF reader can lead to compatibility issues with Outlook’s preview handler. Head to the official website of your PDF reader, download, and install the latest version. After installation, restart your computer to implement the update.
Solution 2: Set Adobe Acrobat Reader as the Default PDF Previewer
If Adobe Acrobat Reader is not set as the default PDF handler, Outlook might not use its preview handler. To set it as the default, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. Click on “Choose default apps by file type” and scroll down to “.pdf”. Set Adobe Acrobat Reader as the default.
Solution 3: Enable the PDF Preview Handler
Outlook has a setting that allows you to enable or disable the preview handler for different file types. In Outlook, go to File > Options > Trust Center. Click on the “Trust Center Settings” button, then go to Attachment Handling and click on the “Attachment and Document Previewers” button. Make sure the “PDF Preview Handler” option is checked.
Solution 4: Disable Protected Mode in Adobe Acrobat Reader
Occasionally, Adobe Acrobat Reader’s protected mode may disrupt the Outlook preview handler. To address this issue, open Adobe Acrobat Reader and navigate to Edit > Preferences. In the Categories pane, choose “Security (Enhanced)” and deselect the “Enable Protected Mode at startup” option. Click OK and then restart Adobe Acrobat Reader to apply the changes.
Solution 5: Clear Temporary Files
As time passes, the accumulation of temporary files can lead to problems with the preview handler. To address this, clear temporary files by opening the Run dialog box (Win + R), typing “%temp%”, and pressing Enter. In the opened folder, select all files and delete them.
Facing the “This file cannot be previewed because of an error” message in Outlook while attempting to preview a PDF can be a source of frustration. Nevertheless, by adhering to the steps detailed in this article, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve the Outlook PDF preview handler error. Ensure your PDF reader software is regularly updated and follow the provided solutions, including enabling the PDF preview handler, disabling protected mode, clearing temporary files, repairing Adobe Acrobat Reader installation, checking for Outlook updates, addressing corrupt PDF files, and editing the Windows Registry if required.
FAQs
Q: How can I verify the integrity of a PDF file?
A: If encountering errors with a specific PDF file, it’s plausible that the file is corrupted. Test this by attempting to open the PDF using an alternative reader or web browser. Another option is to utilize Adobe Acrobat’s built-in repair tool: open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat, navigate to File > Save As Other > Optimized PDF. Should you possess a backup of the PDF, check if using that version resolves the error. Reputable third-party PDF repair tools are also available for attempting to fix corrupted PDFs; however, exercise caution and ensure you have a backup before using them.
Q: What steps should I take if none of the suggested remedies prove effective?
A: If the provided solutions fail to address the issue, consider a more advanced approach involving the Windows Registry. Execute this cautiously. Open the Run dialog box (Win + R), input “regedit,” and press Enter to access the Registry Editor. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193}. Verify the existence of the AppID key. If absent, create a new String Value labeled “AppID” and set its value to {534A1E02-D58F-44f0-B58B-36CBED287C7C}. Conclude by closing the Registry Editor and restarting your computer.
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