Preview Pane is Blank for Every File Type Except Images

We’ve seen the “No preview available” situations before, caused by the incorrect or missing preview handler registration for a file type. Here is a similar problem: the preview pane is empty, showing just the white space for all file types except images.

preview pane blank white all file types

However, the image file types may preview correctly.

preview pane blank white all file types

The above issue happens due to a missing Preview Handler Surrogate Host registration.

Solution

To resolve the issue, download prevhost.reg and run it.

INFO: Contents of the REG file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\{6d2b5079-2f0b-48dd-ab7f-97cec514d30b}]
@="Preview Handler Surrogate Host"
"DllSurrogate"=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,\
00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,\
70,00,72,00,65,00,76,00,68,00,6f,00,73,00,74,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,00,\
00

Note that the “DllSurrogate” hex code above simply means %SystemRoot%\system32\prevhost.exe.

(The above fix applies to all versions of Windows 10 and 11.)

Also, check out the other articles on Preview handlers and thumbnails in Windows.

I hope that helps. Let’s know your comments.

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Ramesh Srinivasan is passionate about Microsoft technologies and he has been a ten-time recipient of the Microsoft MVP award in Windows Desktop Experience (Windows Shell), from 2003 to 2012. Ramesh founded Winhelponline.com in 2005.

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14 thoughts on “Preview Pane is Blank for Every File Type Except Images”

  4. Thank You. But,
    I could use a bit of further assistance.
    I cannot get the prevhost.reg to successfully run.

    In Windows 11 File Explorer, I right-click on the prevhost.reg file and select “Open”.
    A Windows “Unknown Publisher” warning dialogue comes up, and I choose “Run”, to continue.
    Then a Windows UAC warning dialogue comes up, and I choose “Yes”, to continue.

    Then a “Registry Error” warning window pops up that states “Adding information can unintentionally change or delete values and cause components to stop working correctly. If you do not trust the source of this information in C:\Users\….prevhost.reg do not add it to the registry. Are you sure you want to continue?”
    To which I click on “Yes”.

    Then a “Registry Editor” error dialogue window pops up that states “Cannot import C:\Users\…prevhost.reg Nota all data was successfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other processes, or you have insufficient privileges to perform this operation.”

    I have Administrator Permissions on this, my sole/personal, computer system.

    I ensure all applications other than File Explorer are Closed.
    Again right-click the prevhost.reg file and select “Open”.
    The above scenario repeats.
    With the same seemingly unsuccessful result.

    What do you suggest to ensure this reg-edit is successfully placed?
    Thank you, Alvin

    Reply

  5. I have not been able to preview files on my Windows 10 system for 2+ years. I have tried all the other suggestions from MS websites and others, but nothing worked.

    Your registry edit worked for me!

    Thank-you so much for your help!

    Reply

  8. It’s easy when you know how! I’ve been struggling with this for the past two weeks. Tried all the fixes I could find but nothing worked. Run one simple registry fix and Hey Presto!! Good to know that Microsoft have got an expert willing to share his knowledge.

    Reply

  10. Hi Ramesh…

    I tried almost all the explanation in Internet and advised by AI…
    Finally, I can view office and pdf documents in the preview pane applying your small prevhost.reg.
    Thank you very much…

    Reply

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