Customizing Folders

[moondog830]

First of all, I'm not sure I'm in the right section of the forum. (I guess someone will move it if it's in the wrong place).

My problem is this ... I have a number of reference books on my computer in .pdf format.

When I had the same books on my XP system and I would go to the folder and set the 'view' to Medium Icons or Large Icons and be able to view the cover of each book or magazine (making it easy to see if it's the book I want or not without having to open it).

Now I am using Win7 and don't get me wrong, I love it ... it works well, but ... when I go to the folder, no matter what 'view' I set it on, I am unable to see the book covers etc...

does anyone know if this is fixable or have any idea on how I can make this happen?

Thanks!

dog

 

[Lasy B]

First Off, Welcome.

If you are running 64 bit (and I suspect you are) there's no "official support" from Adobe.

A third party option which will display .pdf as well as many other non native images as thumbnails is Mystic Thumbs which (sadly) costs $15 but is worth every cent.
I did have another work-around to show just pdf files as thumbnails. I'll see if I can find it for you.

 

[Lasy B]

OK. This one's free, Adobe Reader Pre-view Viewer and Thumbnails Fix.
I've used this one before but cannot confirm it works any longer as Adobe Reader is a thing of the past on this PC! Improves 32bit thumbnail view as well apparently.

 

[moondog830]

I can't seem to get either one of those to work ....... argh! Thanks for your help!

 

[Lasy B]

You do have to "activate" the free download. They also suggest (with the free one) to re-install Adobe Reader so that it recognizes the .dll files you've just installed.

One final thought, have you cleared your IconCache and Thumbnail Cache?
I'd try these first before re-installing Adobe Reader.

GoTo > C:\Users\Your User Name\AppData\Local, and delete the IconCache.db file.

Then GoTo > Start > My computer > right click C: or your System Hard Disc Drive, select Properties, select Disk Cleanup. When its done its search, make sure to tick Thumbnails. Run the Cleanup.

Finally Re-start your PC.

 

[Lasy B]

I hope I've got this right.
You want to view your books not like this:- But like this:-




*My other book option was The Joy of Train Spotting!

 

[moondog830]

yes, this is totally correct ... FINALLY someone actually gets it.

I don't see how to activate the free download ...

 

[Lasy B]

It (Adobe Reader Pre-view Viewer and Thumbnails Fix) creates a shortcut in your start menu in a folder called (funnily enough!) Adobe Reader 64-bit fixes!!
This will give you one or two options.

There are two more things to try I can think of.

Have you got Show thumbnails instead of icons ticked in Performance Options?
GoTo > Start > right click My Computer, click on Properties, click on Advanced system settings, in the Performance box click on Settings, Show thumbnails instead of icons is about the 12th one down.

Then open any Explorer Window, in the toolbar click on Tools > Folder options..., under the View tab make sure that Always show icons, never thumbnails is un-checked.

Delete your IconCache and Thumbnails cache again as above and re-start.

As I say, I'm no longer in the position of verifying this as I no longer use Adobe Reader. I just know they did when I had Reader. I bought the Mystic Thumbs one in the end because I run Photoshop and Illustrator and they have the same display issues.

My only other suggestion if none of this works (and I'll be sorry I couldn't help you) would be to start another thread in General Discussions and call it something like "Viewing PDF files as a Thumbnail image" and post a picture of what you mean, like above (use them if you like!!) or link to this thread.

One thing I would implore you to do though (you'll only get nagged if you don't !!) is specify whether you are running 32-bit or 64-bit in your "My System Specs".

 

[Wishmaster]

If you are not comfortable using fixes for Adobe, PDF X-Change viewer is an alternative to Adobe Reader.

Little light and supports Windows Explorer thumbnails in x64.

Tracker Software Products :: PDF-XChange Viewer, Free PDF Reader
It has a free version (reader Only) and a paid version that offers many more options.

It can also be used to generate PDF thumbs in x64 for those who simply prefer Adobe.


You have a couple options.

1) Install it and use as your default PDF viewer for all PDFs including web pages.

2) If you prefer to use Adobe as the default reader:
You can install PDF X-change and use it to generate Thumbs. Then right click the PDF file and choose "choose default program" and change the default back to Adobe Reader.
You will now have PDF thumbs, and Adobe will be the deafualt reader for them.

The downside is you'll have to do this every time you get a new PDF. Make default PDF X-change, then back to Adobe once thumbs are made.

Ideal Solution? Probably not. but it works.


Also, If you do not enable the option to use it in web pages, Adobe will still handle PDF files in I/E, Firefox.

Your choice.

 

[Lasy B]

If you are not comfortable using fixes for Adobe, PDF X-Change viewer is an alternative to Adobe Reader.

Good tip Dude! I didn't know but I'll remember that (And I'm using PDF X-Change!!).

 

[moondog830]

Hey Everyone, I used the fix that Lasy B told me about .... and NOW I can see my book covers ... Thank You So Much!

Wishmaster, Thanks also for your tip, I will download that to use as a backup should I need one.

dog

What an excellent place to get help .... AWESOME!

 

[Lasy B]

Hey Everyone, I used the fix that Lasy B told me about .... and NOW I can see my book covers ... Thank You So Much!

Which one? I was losing count!
Glad it worked for you though and glad to have helped.
I had drawn the line at re-installing Adobe Reader just to help you out though!!