Finally, a fix for the PDF preview bug in 64-bit Windows
Way back in May 2008, I noted an annoying, longstanding bug that surfaces when you install Adobe Reader on Windows Vista x64. The preview function, both in Windows Explorer and in Outlook 2007, is broken. The only fix I could find at the time was to replace the broken previewer with a third-party alternative such as FoxIt PDF Preview Handler.
Now, 16 months later, there’s a new 64-bit operating system, Windows 7, and a new version of Acrobat Reader (9.1). And the bug is still there. Here’s what you see if you try to preview a PDF file in Windows Explorer under Windows 7 x64:
But yesterday, Leo Davidson pinged me via e-mail with news that he had discovered the cause and, more importantly, had a fix for it. As Leo notes, the problem is caused because Adobe registers the wrong preview handler, even though Microsoft explicitly documents the correct settings, The fix involves replacing the incorrect registry value with the proper one.
If you are running a 64-bit Windows version and you’ve experienced this issue, you can edit the registry by hand, using Leo’s step-by-step instructions. An easier fix is to create a Registration Entries file (.reg extension) that makes the changes automatically when you double-click it. You’ll find a downloadable version of this fix-it file at Leo’s site as well, just above the instructions for manually editing the registry. Download and unzip the adobe_pdf_x64_fix.reg file and follow the prompts.
As I discovered during my tests, this fix requires one extra step if you’ve previously installed the FoxIt Preview Handler. Open Control Panel, double-click the entry in Programs and Features for Adobe Reader, and run a Repair installation. After you complete that preliminary step, the fix should work just fine. Here’s what the preview pane looks like when it’s working properly:
As Leo notes, it would be nice if Adobe would fix this bug. (Actually, he’s a bit more forceful than that, and he’s right. Hey, Adobe, fix it!) It would be trivially easy to do so, and they could win some friends by getting it right with the next release of Reader.
31 Responses to Finally, a fix for the PDF preview bug in 64-bit Windows
Luke: Did you do an upgrade install from Vista 64-bit to Win 7 64-bit? That could explain why the CLSID is in the 64-bit part of the registry.
(Though my reading of the rules says it still shouldn’t be there, even then, it could explain why it’s different between our machines. Mine’s a clean-install.)
@AboKevin
You seem to be of the opinion that my query is illogical or possibly a Microsoft bash.
I am of the opinion that Microsoft’s OS x64 is more stable and better performing than the alternative. In fact, it continues to be a great product. My belief is that the failure of third party hardware and software developers to produce a wide range of viable products for x64 is directly related to the lack of emphasis placed on the OS by Microsoft.
To put it short and sweet: Adobe would have fixed this bug a long time ago if x64 had a greater market share. x64 isn’t going to have a larger piece of the pie until Microsoft decides to get behind the future of stable computing; x64. This leads to my view of x64 being treated as the ugly stepchild.
@Leo Davidson:
Yes, I did do an upgrade from Vista x64 to Win7 x64. Hmm. I wonder what other problems this might have caused. Guess at some point a ‘clean install’ is in order. But for now, everything is working fine.
I’m surprised a Windows guru is recommending the use of Adobe Reader when there are far better options out there.
Ocean, where did I “recommend Adobe Reader”? Some people like it and use it. Some people are required to use it for work because of licensing reasons. I don’t pass judgment on their decision. Neither does Leo. My goal is to help, not to preach.
I too had to change both [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\ and
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\ to get this to work.
Note: My system was an in-place update from Vista to Win7 RTM 64-bit.
Thanks Luke H!
Thanks Luke H and John-D! I’ve added a note about that to my page in case it helps others.
As for x64 itself, I think it will inevitably increase in market share now that mainstream machines are being sold with 4+ gig of RAM and after Vista x64 paved the way by proving that x64 was a stable platform with very few issues (stuff like this being one of the issues, of course).
I know I didn’t have the guts to switch to x64 when Vista was new but it’s a complete no-brainer now. MS still have to keep an x86 Windows version for hardware that requires it (e.g. Intel Atom netbooks) so I don’t blame them for that. It’s now in the OEM’s hands to do the sensible thing and ship x64 by default on hardware that can run it.
I’ve had x64 on my Vista laptop for 9 months and on my Win7 desktop for 1.5 months and I am rarely conscious of the fact it’s not 32-bit, which is how it should be! 64-bit Windows is a success.
Regarding FoxIt vs Adobe Reader, I don’t mind what anyone uses. To be honest, if I had my way I would never have to view another PDF (or .DOC or .XPS or…) on my computer again. Viewing digital sheets of paper on-screen, with their page-breaks, headers, footers, unsuitable fonts/layouts for monitors, etc. etc., was never my ideal for the “paperless office.”
I changed [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\ and imported
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\ but still can’t get it to work
Note: My system is a Clean instal of Win7 RC 64-bit.
Ed:
Your fix also works for the full version of Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro. I wish that someone could figure out how to get pdf thumbnail previews to work on Win7 x64. There is hope because I’ve noticed that if you choose “File Open” while running Acrobat 9, the dialog box that opens will cause a thumbnail preview to be generated, which persists when you view the file with Windows Explorer.
This “trick” doesn’t quite do the right thing because the thumbnail doesn’t resize when you change the view size in Windows Explorer. The thumbnail preview is only present at the size that was in use when the preview was generated. At other view sizes it reverts to the Adobe icon.
FWIW, here is an example showing the difference between Adobe’s and FoxIt’s font rendering on my machine:
http://www.pretentiousname.com/adobe_pdf_x64_fix/pdf_comparison/
Maybe it depends on ClearType configuration but for me the choice is easy. Despite Adobe’s flaws I find the FoxIt version much harder to read. If results/preferences are different for you then that’s cool; just thought I’d back-up my choice.
Well, you really can’t expect Adobe to pay attention to details that impact the functionality (or security) of their products.
Not when they are spending so much time figuring out new ways to foist useless/unwanted garbage like Adobe Air, Adobe.com and the spectacularly horrible Adobe Download Manager (as well as any number of third party toolbars and applications) on us.