Windows 7 - Preview other file types as text in Preview Pane

Question

I want to preview .js, .php, and other file extensions as text in explorer on Windows 7.

Any ideas on how I can accomplish this?

Answer 1

On top of using PreviewConfig, you will also have to add entries into the registry to get it working on Windows 7.

• Open the registry editor (regedit in the start menu search) and navigate to computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.FILE_EXT, where FILE_EXT is the extension you want to add, such as .nfo

  

• Make 2 new string values (REG_SZ) under the file extension's key, Content Type and Perceived Type

  

• Set the value of Content Type to text/plain and Perceived Type to text.

Answer 2

As of June 2010, PreviewConfig will handle Windows 7 file preview duties without the need for any manual registry editing.

Answer 3

To view .ai in windows 7 preview handler

1. Navigate to .ai folder in the registry key
2. Under that make a key named ShellEx if not already there
3. Under ShellEx create a key name {8895b1c6-b41f-4c1c-a562-0d564250836f}
4. Under this new key change the data value to {DC6EFB56-9CFA-464D-8880-44885D7DC193} (I would have posted an image but Im not allowed to by the system but I'm sure you got it!)

Now even Adobe Illustrator files show up in the preview handler and you look like a Pro! This is possible as the preview handler for PDF files and AI files are the same so all that is being done is copy/paste the PDF one to the AI one!