Windows 11 blocks previews for files downloaded from the Internet now
Anyone here using the preview feature in File Explorer on Windows 11? File Explorer can display a preview of the content of a file in the preview pane, which you can show or hide with a click on the preview button, or with the keyboard shortcut Alt-P.
Microsoft announced a change that may affect Windows 11 users who download files from the Internet and use the preview pane in File Explorer.
The details:
- Starting with the October 14, 2025 update, File Explorer's preview pane won't show previews anymore for files downloaded from the Internet.
- This is implemented to address a vulnerability that is affecting the preview pane.
Windows 11 devices with the October 2025 or later security updates installed won't show previews for Internet files anymore. This is a deliberate change to protect devices against NTLM hash leakage that may occur if preview files contain HTML tags. Threat actors might exploit the vulnerability to steal sensitive credentials according to Microsoft.
Good to known: Files that come from the web are marked with "Mark of the Web" to indicate that. It is an identifier that marks these files as potentially unsafe. The main effect is that Windows may warn users who attempt to launch a file with the identifier.
How to enable previews for specific files
Windows 11 administrators may enable previews for specific files in the following way:
- Right-click on the file.
- Select Properties from the context menu. You can also press Alt-Enter to get there quickly.
- Check the "unblock" field under General.
- Click on OK to save the change.
The preview should appear again. This should only be done for trusted files according to Microsoft.
Closing Words
One has to wonder if Microsoft could have implemented a different fix for the vulnerability that would not break the entire preview functionality for files downloaded from the Internet. Considering that Microsoft says that the issue can only be exploited via certain HTML tags, Microsoft could also have implemented a check for these. Certainly the more complicated and time-consuming approach, but the result would be user friendlier. (via Deskmodder)
Now You: do you use the preview pane in File Explorer in Windows at all? Feel free to leave a comment down below.
Worst is that all files from an external drive/pendrive preview are blocked.
What’s worst, all files from a pendrive, even local have their preview disabled.
The preview also does not work on our files at work anymore. These files are not from the internet but are stored on our server. These are internal files and should not have security concerns. It really sucks that we cannot preview them anymore.
really really inconvenient. If someone finds a solution pls let me know!
So instead of fixing the preview feature which can be useful Microsoft decides its best just to disable it. Considering Windows itself is just a monthly mess of patches and zero days. Maybe Microsoft should just cancel Windows. That would fix everything, wouldn’t it?
So Microsoft says “there is vulnerability that affects ” and instead of fixing the vulnerability they turn off a feature that uses it…
Based on that logic All Microsoft Office applications should be turned off based on the number of vulnerabilities in them, similarly many other parts of Windows should be turned off…
There wouldn’t be much of Windows left functioning following this logic!!
One can use QuickLook or PowerToys Peek. Extra Large icons?
Thanks!
Never used preview, never will. I don’t want a file opened until I open it.
I disabled that M.$ file blocking crap with WinAeroTweaker long ago.
Just install Total Commander, press CTRL+Q for preview pane.
Interesting update! ? Windows 11 adding a block on file previews for downloads seems like a smart move for better security — especially against hidden malware.
I found that if the file is opened and then ‘Save As’ back to the original file it becomes possible to see it in Preview
This is the most stupid thing made by Microsoft. What an horrible place is becoming the W11 crap!
I agree. I understand that security measures need to be in place but there has to be a way to unblock so you can preview the files other then doing one at a time. My coworkers and I download hundreds of pdf files a day and without the preview pane we now have to sit here and open each and every one. Manually opening the properties on each one to uncheck the unblock is just not a viable option. Right now I am trying the files app and I’ll see if that will work for the long term. Hopefully windows will figure out another way soon.
Stop wining. Switch to Linux now.
What a stupid company! The page only explains how to work around it from the front end. Is there a way to disable this through GPO or the registry?
Ghacks readers have little use of windows file explorer. Or is the world getting crazier by the day?
Are you suggesting Ghacks readers don’t use Windows? Because if you use Windows, you use File Explorer… A lot of people do have to use it, even if at work or for legal reasons, or at least support others that do. So you’d be surprised how many this kind of thing affects and annoys!