Disable Image Preview (Windows XP)

Registry Guide for Windows
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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

Disable Image Preview (Windows XP)
Category: Home > Windows > Appearance

This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
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When you open an image file in Windows XP the default action is to "Preview" it using the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer. This tweak can be used to disable the Preview image option.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Clear the value of "(Default)" to disable the default image preview action. You can restore the preview action by set the value to "{e84fda7c-1d6a-45f6-b725-cb260c236066}".

The change should take effect immediately.

Note: This will only remove Preview for image formats that are associated with an alternate viewer. File types that are associated with Windows Picture and Fax Viewer will still show the Preview option.


		(Default)	REG_SZ


	HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\image\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandle...

Settings:

System Key: [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\image\ShellEx\
ContextMenuHandlers\ShellImagePreview]
Name: (Default)
Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Value: Blank or {e84fda7c-1d6a-45f6-b725-cb260c236066}

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: October 21, 2002

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