Bug: Preview Feature Often Does Not Work Or Lead To Crash (especially On PDFs)

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Bug: Preview Feature Often Does Not Work or Lead to Crash (Especially on PDFs)

The preview feature in Files is a crucial aspect of the application, allowing users to view files without having to open them in their respective applications. However, several users have reported that the preview feature often does not work or leads to a crash, especially when dealing with PDFs. In this article, we will delve into the details of this issue and explore possible solutions.

The preview feature in Files is designed to provide users with a quick and easy way to view files without having to open them in their respective applications. However, several users have reported that the preview feature often does not work or leads to a crash, especially when dealing with PDFs. This issue can be frustrating for users who rely on the preview feature to quickly view files.

To reproduce this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Start Files and enable the preview feature.
  2. Select a file, preferably a PDF.
  3. Attempt to view the file in preview mode.

The version of Files that is experiencing this issue is 3.9.2.0.

The Windows version that is experiencing this issue is 10.0.26100.0.

The user ID associated with this issue is 86afa99b-9824-4b0a-9046-ad92ba60f24e.

The log file associated with this issue can be found at debug.log.

The log file reveals a series of errors and warnings that suggest a problem with the preview feature. The errors and warnings are as follows:

  • System.IO.FileNotFoundException: The system cannot find the file specified.
  • An item cannot be found at the specified path (UNABLE_TO_MASK_PATH).
  • System.Runtime.InteropServices.InvalidComObjectException: COM object that has been separated from its underlying RCW cannot be used.

These errors and warnings suggest that the preview feature is experiencing issues with file paths and COM objects. This could be due to a variety of factors, including corrupted file paths, incorrect COM object registration, or a bug in the preview feature itself.

Based on the analysis, several possible solutions can be proposed:

  1. Update Files to the Latest Version: It is possible that the issue is resolved in a later version of Files. Updating to the latest version may resolve the issue.
  2. Check File Paths: Corrupted file paths may be causing the issue. Checking and correcting file paths may resolve the issue.
  3. Register COM Objects: Incorrect COM object registration may be causing the issue. Registering COM objects may resolve the issue.
  4. Bug Fix: The issue may be due to a bug in the preview feature itself. A bug fix may be required to resolve the issue.

The preview feature in Files is a crucial aspect of the application, allowing users to view files without having to open them in their respective applications. However, several users have reported that the preview feature often does not work or leads to a crash, especially when dealing with PDFs. Based on the analysis, several possible solutions can be proposed, including updating Files to the latest version, checking file paths, registering COM objects, and bug fixing. By implementing these solutions, the issue may be resolved, and the preview feature may work as intended.

Based on the analysis, the following recommendations can be made:

  1. Update Files to the Latest Version: Update Files to the latest version to ensure that the issue is resolved.
  2. Check File Paths: Check and correct file paths to ensure that they are correct.
  3. Register COM Objects: Register COM objects to ensure that they are correctly registered.
  4. Bug Fix: Implement a bug fix to resolve the issue.

By following these recommendations, the issue may be resolved, and the preview feature may work as intended.
Q&A: Bug in Preview Feature of Files

The preview feature in Files is a crucial aspect of the application, allowing users to view files without having to open them in their respective applications. However, several users have reported that the preview feature often does not work or leads to a crash, especially when dealing with PDFs. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about the issue.

A: The cause of the issue with the preview feature is not yet clear. However, based on the analysis, it is possible that the issue is due to corrupted file paths, incorrect COM object registration, or a bug in the preview feature itself.

A: To update Files to the latest version, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Microsoft Store app.
  2. Search for Files in the search bar.
  3. Click on the Files app to open its page.
  4. Click on the "Update" button to update the app to the latest version.

A: To check and correct file paths, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Files app.
  2. Select the file that is causing the issue.
  3. Right-click on the file and select "Properties".
  4. Check the file path to ensure that it is correct.
  5. If the file path is incorrect, correct it and try again.

A: To register COM objects, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: regsvr32 /i <path_to_com_object>
  3. Replace <path_to_com_object> with the actual path to the COM object.

A: The bug fix for the issue is not yet available. However, it is possible that a bug fix will be released in a future update of Files.

A: To troubleshoot the issue, follow these steps:

  1. Check the log file to see if there are any error messages.
  2. Check the file paths to ensure that they are correct.
  3. Check the COM object registration to ensure that it is correct.
  4. Try updating Files to the latest version.

A: If the issue persists, try the following:

  1. Contact Microsoft support for further assistance.
  2. Provide detailed information about the issue, including the log file and any error messages.
  3. Follow any instructions provided by Microsoft support to troubleshoot the issue.

The preview feature in Files is a crucial aspect of the application, allowing users to view files without having to open them in their respective applications. However, several users have reported that the preview feature often does not work or leads to a crash, especially when dealing with PDFs. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue. If the issue persists, users can contact Microsoft support for further assistance.