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Remove PDF file explorer items (preview pane / thumbnail) from PowerToys since MS Edge does this better
Description of the new feature / enhancement
Microsoft Edge has these abilities now in both preview pane and thumbnails. It does a better job as well.
Scenario when this would be used?
Simplifying PowerToys code base, users have a better, built in option
Supporting information
No response
I've recently did a super clean installation of Windows 10 (and apps 'nd files - just not PowerToys yet) on two of my computers. I see now that PDF files do not show any preview. Am I missing something?
I reinstalled my system yesterday to find edge's pdf preview thingy not working due to some strange error. The fix was to install powertoys and turn its handler on and off. If nothing else, consider keeping it around for that :D if it wasn't for PT I would've had to install Adobe reader or something disgusting like that. Plus, not everyone has Edge installed.
MS Edge does this better? I can't see the PDF file thumbnail or preview (Windows 10, Edge 105.0.1343.53x64), Am I missing something?
As the developer of this feature, this hurts 😂. But if there is a better solution from Edge available, I can live with that.
After my experience with a clean install of Windows, it takes more to convince me...
And if I don't use Edge for PDFs, the alternative is..?
Google Chrome does the same, rendering a preview I think. I don't use Edge and I made Google Chrome the default PDF viewer and I'm getting a nice preview.
Also, Edge is built-in, so if no other software is assigned as the default PDF viewer then Edge will still handle that even if you don't use the browser for the web.
I am unable to view previews without the PowerToys option toggled on. When toggled off, the preview pane is a blank white pane, no matter if I select Edge to view PDFs by default or not
I am unable to view previews without the PowerToys option toggled on. When toggled off, the preview pane is a blank white pane, no matter if I select Edge to view PDFs by default or not
Sometimes it takes a few seconds to load. If it doesn't work for you then I recommend to make Edge or Chrome your default browser and also default PDF reader, to do this go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Search: .pdf or Search apps: Edge or Chrome and make everything open with Edge or Chrome especially .pdf.
I hope those instructions help.
I have two PDF handlers installed on my system to display them in the Preview Pane: Microsoft PowerToys 0.79.0 and PDF X-Change Shell Extensions 10.2.1.385. After disabling both, the Preview Pane displays only the first page of the document in the size of a large thumbnail.
That is, out of the box in Windows 10 there is no preview of PDF documents.
Microsoft Windows 10.0.19045.4123 Microsoft Edge 109.0.1518.55 Среда выполнения Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime 109.0.1518.52
I'm curious for experiences from people who did a clean install of Windows 10 and 11.
Edge must now be uninstallable in the EEA, so I guess that's another strike against this proposal.
If Edge isn't on the system, there isn't a suitable PDF preview handler in place anymore - Edge being able to handle this is part of the proposal's title, and now that Edge is removable in the EEA (European Economic Area), that is a supported Windows configuration in the mainstream.
If Edge isn't on the system, there isn't a suitable PDF preview handler in place anymore - Edge being able to handle this is part of the proposal's title, and now that Edge is removable in the EEA (European Economic Area), that is a supported Windows configuration in the mainstream.
But you can still install it if you need to view PDF files
The workaround of telling the user to install an app they might not even use (Edge) just for a PDF preview isn't good, in my opinion. Specially when we're talking about a whole web browser that has a weird tendency of wanting to set itself as the default. And specially when this is something PowerToys already offers today.