How to Open Print Preview Before Printing a PDF from Windows Explorer
Question details
The user wants to view a print preview and adjust print settings for a PDF file when initiating a print job from Windows Explorer.
- Product
- PDF Reader / Windows Explorer
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Right-clicking a PDF file in Windows Explorer and selecting the Print option from the context menu.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF is sent directly to the default printer without opening the application's print dialog or showing a print preview.
Ensure your printer is online, and temporarily pause the print queue in your Windows settings if you want to prevent accidental blank or incorrect prints while testing.
Open the PDF Application Manually to Print
The most reliable way to access print settings and the preview window is to open the PDF directly instead of using the Windows Explorer quick-print shortcut.
The 'Print' command in the Windows Explorer context menu is designed for rapid, silent printing. It uses a background command to send files straight to the printer based on default application settings. To view a preview, you must bypass this quick command.
Double-click the PDF file in Windows Explorer to open it in your default PDF viewer (such as Adobe Acrobat or WPS Office).
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'File', and select 'Print'. Alternatively, press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + P.
Check the preview window displayed on the screen to ensure the document layout, margins, and orientation look correct.
Adjust any necessary settings like page range or copies, then click the 'Print' button to send the job to the printer.
Change the Default PDF Application
If your current PDF reader's background printing behavior is causing issues, switching your default application might give you better control.
Easily Preview and Print PDFs with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a comprehensive built-in PDF reader that ensures you always have access to a detailed print preview and advanced print settings before sending documents to your printer.
- 1. Open the PDF in WPS Office: Right-click your PDF file in Windows Explorer, hover over 'Open with', and select WPS Office.
- 2. Launch the Print Dialog: Click the 'Print' icon on the quick access toolbar at the top left, or press Ctrl + P on your keyboard.
- 3. Preview Your Document: Observe the real-time print preview on the right side of the dialog box. Any settings you change will instantly update the preview.
- 4. Print: Once everything looks correct, click the 'Print' button at the bottom of the window to complete the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Windows Explorer print PDFs without showing a preview?
When you right-click a file and select 'Print' in Windows Explorer, the operating system uses a specific system command designed for rapid execution. This command silently passes the file to your default PDF application's background process, instructing it to send the document directly to the default printer without loading the user interface.
Can I force the Windows right-click menu to show a print preview?
By default, the Windows context menu 'Print' function does not support opening a preview dialog, as its primary purpose is quick, batch printing. To see a preview, you must open the document manually. Modifying this behavior would require advanced and potentially risky changes to the Windows Registry.
How can I stop my printer from printing immediately if I misclick?
You can quickly open your Windows 'Printers & scanners' settings, select your printer, click 'Open queue', and pause or cancel the print job. However, because quick-print sends data instantly, you must do this very quickly. It is safer to pause the printer queue beforehand if you are organizing multiple files.
