Solved broken explorer preview Office 2010

[Irene]

Thanks for the explanation, Golden.

However, someone else with the same problem here, with some suggestions to resolve the issue:
Win 7 preview pane - Microsoft Answers

One recommendation is to run an SFC scan:
How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7

Use the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe) to determine which file is causing the issue, and then replace the file. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open an elevated command prompt. To do this, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
2. Type the following command, and then press ENTER: sfc /scannow
   The sfc /scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

To determine which files could not be repaired by the System File Checker tool, follow these steps:

1. Open an elevated command prompt.
2. Type the following command, and then press ENTER: findstr /C:"[SR] Cannot repair member file" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt
   Note The Sfcdetails.txt file contains details from every time that the System File Checker tool has been run on the computer. The file includes information about files that were not repaired by the System File Checker tool. Verify the date and time entries to determine the problem files that were found the last time that you ran the System File Checker tool.
3. Type the following command, and then press ENTER: edit sfcdetails.txt
   The Sfcdetails.txt file uses the following format: Date/Time SFC detail

 

[Golden]

Oh nice find Irene

Some of those suggestions look far, far easier than using gpedit. Hopefully they work because I cannot see how the policy would have changed, except if this PC is in a corporate environment, and it was changed on purpose for security reasons.

 

[Irene]

Oh nice find Irene

Some of those suggestions look far, far easier than using gpedit. Hopefully they work because I cannot see how the policy would have changed, except if this PC is in a corporate environment, and it was changed on purpose for security reasons.

We just need to wait now for nabilalk to try it/them out.

 

[Imperfect1]

I don't think anyone's suggested fixing the preview options
specifically for MS Office. Try this:

From an MS Office doc (i.e. a Word doc) click on the MS button in the upper-left corner, select Word Options, and on the 'Popular' screen (the first screen) check: "Enable Live Preview."

 

[Golden]

Mmm...thats Word 2007 right? I can't find that option in Word 2010......I'll dig a bit more.

 

[Imperfect1]

Mmm...thats Word 2007 right? I can't find that option in Word 2010......I'll dig a bit more.

Yes, it is Word 2007. I was assuming that MS hadn't changed that function in Word 2010 because it's so basic and essential. But we all know about the pitfalls of assuming. . .

 

[Irene]

Mmm...thats Word 2007 right? I can't find that option in Word 2010......I'll dig a bit more.

Yes, it is Word 2007. I was assuming that MS hadn't changed that function in Word 2010 because it's so basic and essential. But we all know about the pitfalls of assuming. . .

It's in File - Options - General (second option down)

 

[Golden]

Ah OK. Thanks Irene.

Yeah, I don't think Live Preview is the trick : from what I can see that affects the "live" changes inside Word as you change fonts etc.

 

[Imperfect1]

Mmm...thats Word 2007 right? I can't find that option in Word 2010......I'll dig a bit more.

Yes, it is Word 2007. I was assuming that MS hadn't changed that function in Word 2010 because it's so basic and essential. But we all know about the pitfalls of assuming. . .

It's in File - Options - General (second option down)

Good for you Irene! Thanks for finding it!

 

[nabilalk]

OK......this is worth a go, although I'm not sure how it would have changed (is this PC in a corporate environment by any chance?). The Preview pane can be disabled by using a specific policy : lets check to see it that is the case.

1. Click Start Orb, and in the search box type gpedit.msc and hit enter. (gpedit = group policy editor)
2. Navigate to Preview Pane Location as shown in the attached image.
3. Right-click on the option, and then select edit.
4. Is the Preview Pane Location shown as Not configured, Enabled, or Disabled? (see attached image)

Regards,
Golden

@Golden:

Preview pane works for image files (see attached), so the function is not disabled. It does not work for Office files or PDFs.

This is a personal PC, so no on corporate environment.

4. Is the Preview Pane Location shown as Not configured, Enabled, or Disabled? Not configured

 

[Imperfect1]

Mmm...thats Word 2007 right? I can't find that option in Word 2010......I'll dig a bit more.

Yes, it is Word 2007. I was assuming that MS hadn't changed that function in Word 2010 because it's so basic and essential. But we all know about the pitfalls of assuming. . .

It's in File - Options - General (second option down)

Nabilalk, have you checked out Irene's great find of the Preview option in Word 2010?

 

[nabilalk]

Yes, it is Word 2007. I was assuming that MS hadn't changed that function in Word 2010 because it's so basic and essential. But we all know about the pitfalls of assuming. . .

It's in File - Options - General (second option down)

Nabilalk, have you checked out Irene's great find of the Preview option in Word 2010?

Enable Live Preview:

Yes I have checked that out, but preview is different than Explorer's:
"Show a preview of how a feature affects a document as you hover over different choices." That preview is for within Word.

 

[Golden]

@Golden:

Preview pane works for image files (see attached), so the function is not disabled. It does not work for Office files or PDFs.

This is a personal PC, so no on corporate environment.

4. Is the Preview Pane Location shown as Not configured, Enabled, or Disabled? Not configured

Mmm.OK, Not configured means that the policy hasn't been altered at all, which is the usual setting for a home install. That looks normal.

Did you try some of Irene's suggestions in Post #21 that she found?

Regards,
Golden

 

[nabilalk]

@Golden:

Preview pane works for image files (see attached), so the function is not disabled. It does not work for Office files or PDFs.

This is a personal PC, so no on corporate environment.

4. Is the Preview Pane Location shown as Not configured, Enabled, or Disabled? Not configured

Mmm.OK, Not configured means that the policy hasn't been altered at all, which is the usual setting for a home install. That looks normal.

Did you try some of Irene's suggestions that she found?

Regards,
Golden

Tried them all. I think my Explorer might be broken or something.

 

[Golden]

Mmmm... usually a sfc /scannow should fix that. Did it find any problems when you ran it?

 

[nabilalk]

Mmmm... usually a sfc /scannow should fix that. Did it find any problems when you ran it?

running now and will post log.

scan done: no integrity violations found.

 

[Golden]

Well, I'm stumped. Perhaps its time to call in the big guns : I'll see if I can get some more experienced folk to have a look at this. Stay tuned.

Have requested some help - please check back regularly.

Regards,
Golden

 

[Hopalong X]

Golden says this hasn't been tried yet.

I may have found something.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18212-index-add-remove-file-types.html

I just checked mine and pdf are checked.
All Word doc extensions are also.

Anyway this is where you choose ALL Explorer search document extensions to search.

Left pic is Snip off my PC showing Word docs. PDF is listed also.
If the boxes are unchecked that you want in win EXplore check them.
Then the Indexing will occur which as stated in tutorial may take a while.
So it won't necessarily be instant results and show in Search.


If above is checked then????
Make sure boxes are selected first in above tutorial before any of below.
Right Snip at same window but different tab shows Trouble shooting option and Rebuild Index. Never used or tried by me so????
Also Advanced Indexing Help at bottom of the window.
Hope that helps.

Mike

 

[Irene]

That is a superb Sevenforum tutorial in your link, Hopalong.

I looked through some of the related links at the bottom and came across this, which may also be useful:
How do I restart the Windows Search service?

1. Open Administrative Tools by clicking the Start button
   
   , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Administrative Tools.
2. Double-click Services.
   
   If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. In the Services dialog box, under Name, double-click Windows Search.
4. In the Windows Search Properties dialog box, click Stop, then click Start, and then click OK.

 

[nabilalk]

I don't see how Windows search is related to the broken previews that I am getting? And all of the Office filetypes were already checked. Thanks.