PDF is opened as plain text - don't know what was changed - how to get it back?

[MIRKOSOFT]

Hi!

I downloaded major update of HippoEdit 2.0 and use as portable.
Before using on my own computer it was showing PDF files correctly, but now, when I have it on my own computer it always opens PDF as plain text.

How to fix it and display PDF correctly?

Thank you for help.
Miro

[alex]

Hi,

HippoEDIT does not use its own tools for displaying PDFs but reuses registered PDF viewer (PDF File Previewer) from the system. 
So, in the case in one of your machines that does not work, that means that this machine does not have any PDF viewer installed. So, probably, if you would install Adobe Reader, it will be fixed. To validate, you can try to preview the PDF file in the Windows Explorer.

Another issue can be if you run HE x64 on Windows x32, and have PDF Viewer plugin installed for x32, then it will not be accessible from HippoEDIT.

BR, Alex.

[MIRKOSOFT]

I'm using for viewing PDF Foxit Reader Portable on 64-bit Windows 10.2004 and to be sure I installed its 64-bit preview handler FoxitThumbnailHndlr_x64.dll.
I'm using 64-bit version of HippoEdit 2.0.

But PDF file thumbnails instead icons on PDF files are working.
And you're right - in Explorer preview pane is not displayed PDF content, even XYplorer can't handle it.

Is any other way to get it work without any installation, even not from Adobe? I prefer portable applications to avoid system overload.

Thank you for reply.
Miro

[alex]

Hi Miro,

for now, I do not know another way. Lookup for previewers goes through the Windows Registry, standard path, and so without registering the previewer in standard way it will not work.
Theoretically, it can be loaded from DLL, but that would require significant effort to get that implemented, and I am not sure that it will work stable.

BR, Alex.

[MIRKOSOFT]

I registered DLL by copying it into System32 and used regsvr32, I'm not aware if it is 32 or 64-bit registering program and never heard about regsvr64.
I have no problem with working in Registry Editor and understand it - canyouprovide details?

Miro

[alex]

Just search in Google for "how to register preview handler".
Some examples:

• https://kb.foxitsoftware.com/hc/en-us/articles/360040660571-Register-Plugins-for-Previewer
  
• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/shell/how-to-register-a-preview-handler

[MIRKOSOFT]

Hi!

So, finally I was following instructions in links and registered Foxit Reader preview handler, only note - I'm using portable.
I tried to open PDF in HippoEdit 2 and it allows me only to choose from 2 options:
1. open as text
2. open in hex editor
Even, in File Explorer are not displayed previews in preview pane.

Where do I the mistake?

Miro

[alex]

Hello Miro,

1) Are you able to preview files in Windows Explorer? In Preview Pane?
HippoEDIT File Explorer does not preview files.

2) If 1 is working, have you just opened a PDF file in HippoEDIT? With File Open... HippoEDIT does not offer this option explicitly in the menu but detects files with alternative previewer on opening, and allows you to switch to a text editor or hex editor mode for it.

BR, Alex.

[MIRKOSOFT]

Of course I meant preview pane of Windows File Explorer - there is problem.
And selection between text and hex isonly in case of PDF files.

It looks problematic and I'm lost.
Maybe I will need reallyto install Adobe product... what's not mywish 'cause I'm prefferiring portability.

Ok, is itenough info for help?

Miro

[alex]

Hi Miro,

If it does not work in Windows Explorer, then you did not get it registered properly and so, the reviewer can not be found by Explorer itself and other consumers too.
The only way I see, to do the full installation. You can also try some registry snapshot tool, which can record registry deltas before and after installation and use this snapshot file for further registrations.

But that is not related to HippoEDIT.

BR, Alex

[MIRKOSOFT]

I'm sorry for replying now, so later.
I did installation of PDF-X Change Viewer and now all works correctly - HippoEdit, previews and thumbnails in Explorer.

Thank you for helping me.

Miro

[alex]

Thank goodness!