Windows 10: Windows Explorer crashes when trying to preview Word (.docx) files

Here goes:

• I open Windows Explorer
• The preview button is engaged
• I preview all types of files no problem including Office 365 Excel, Adobe .pdf, Word 97-2003 .DOC, jpg, gif, tif, etc.
• I try to preview Word .docx files and Windows Explorer freezes. Have to go into task manager and restart.

I hope someone knows how to fix this. It's a very useful feature, but frustrating if you can't use it. Thanks!

:)

 

Windows 10 File Explorer Preview Pane Word Doc fix

I had the same problem. I went searching for an answer too, and found this.

To enable the Preview pane, open File Explorer and follow these steps:

• In the File Explorer window, click the View tab. The View tab is shown.
• In the Panes section, click the Preview Pane button. The Preview pane is added to the right side of the File Explorer window.
• Select several files one by one.

I was in Word when I opened File Explorer then the View tab. I only had to click the Preview Pane button. A separate column appeared in my list of word files and then I was able to previes all the the docx files. I checked and it seems to work across
files, so once the Preview Pane **** selected it was selected for all the directory files.

You've probably already tried this, but I didn't see where you said you were in Word when you clicked the Preview Pane button.

I've spent the last few years with Win10 and Word 365 and I feel like I've gone backwards. I knew the commands very well, even being able to do some pretty sophisticated design work in Word. Now, I feel like a beginner all over again. I really wish that
MS hadn't screwed so heavily with the commands. To me, I know they're there, but now their location is hidden. Scheese!

 

File Explorer not previewing .docx files or .xlsx will preview txt pdf


OK, tried all of the above (cache to 1GB, winword /r, etc). Still have the problem with File (not internet) Explorer. Getting a new wrinkle now. After doing winword.exe /r, I got this





It suggests saving Normal.dotm to the Documents folder but it won't let me do that either. I just keep getting the "We can't save this..." box no matter where I try to save it.

It seems like Word is completely screwed up and now I don't know if my Preview problem is Win10 related or Word 365/Office related.

My head hurts.

Pam

 

.docx previews as .xml file or don't preview at all in file explorer, but .doc previews correctly. How do I preview .docx files?

I am unable to preview .docx in file explorer. I have repaired several times, followed various suggestions in this forum and in internet search, all to no avail. One fix allowed it to preview as an .xml file, rather than saying "unable to preview file".
I am able to preview previous version .doc files correctly. What do I need to do to correct this issue????