File Previews

[MarketingGuy]

I've only used XY a few times and am trying to figure it out how the Preview Functionality works.

I am unable to preview standard Microsoft docx and xlsx and pub files. I am also unable to preview htm files and Corel wpd files

About 50% of the time the integrated file preview window displays the message "Shell failed to decode" - the other 50% of the time there is no error message. The file simply fails to preview in the integrated window.

The floating preview displays a message at the bottom that says "No Preview Available" followed by the path and filename when I try to preview docx and xlsx files. Only the "No Preview Available" and filename (no path) is shown when I try to preview a wpd file.

log, PDF and jpg, tif, and png files preview properly (or at least properly to me).

Can anyone offer some guidance? Thanks

[Stef123]

At present, there is no fully integrated, water-proof way of handling previews.

XY depends very much on what it finds on the host system, so if you have the user rights to tweak your machine, search the forum and you will find various information how to enable previews for PDf and Office files.

The most fail-safe method probably consists of integrating QuickFilePlus:
http://www.xyplorer.com/faq-topic.php?id=QVP
However, it will not work portable, AFAIK.

Better built-in capabilities are on the roadmap - hopefully as soon as later this year:
http://www.xyplorer.com/xyfc/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=12156

[MarketingGuy]

OK. Thanks for the fast response. I'm not prepared to drop $80 total on a file finder / file viewer. The reg fix I saw is unacceptable if it takes 10 seconds to preview a file (which is how long it currently takes me to preview a PDF file). I was looking for something "better & faster" than Windows. The XY searches work great, but I DO need to see inside the files after search results are revealed. It doesn't sound like XY is solution for me.

[binocular222]

I use Universal Viewer. Free version view Microsoft files better than Pro version.

[admin]

I use PDF-XChange Viewer on Win8.1. Freeware, out of the box. Previewing the XYplorer Help file takes 127 milliseconds:

[Stef123]

I use Universal Viewer. Free version view Microsoft files better than Pro version.

Same here. The paid version. Why would the free version be better than the Pro version?

How do you get to tie it in with XY? Calling it up from within XY is easy enough, but then it opens in its own window and unlike TotalCommander browsing does not sync with XY. Any plugin settings I am not aware of?

[binocular222]

@Stef: Pro use its own internal renderer >< Free use Windows' Shell prevew. => If you already install M.Office, then Free offer faster & much more accurate rendering.
Universal Viewer have its own window, you have to trigger UV for every file you need a preview.

[Stef123]

Thanks bino - I see what you mean. However, I cannot count on MS Office being installed on host systems. Safer for me to get previews consistently and always, without relying on the host.

Universal Viewer have its own window, you have to trigger UV for every file you need a preview.

I was afraid you'd say that. *sigh*