Can't preview Office documents in Outlook if Windows Firewall Service is disabled

  • Article
  • Applies to:
    Outlook 2019, Word 2019, Word 2019, Excel 2019, PowerPoint 2019, Outlook 2016, Excel 2016, Word 2016, PowerPoint 2016, Outlook 2013, PowerPoint 2013, Excel 2013, Word 2013, Outlook for Microsoft 365, Word for Microsoft 365, Excel for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint for Microsoft 365

Original KB number:   2912722

Symptoms

When you try to preview an Office file attachment in the Microsoft Outlook reading pane, you receive the following error message:

This file cannot be previewed because of an error with the following previewer

Screenshot of Excel previewer error message.

Cause

This problem occurs if both of the following conditions are true.

  • Windows Firewall service is not running.
  • You're using Outlook on a Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows Server 2012-based computer.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, start the Windows Firewall service:

  1. Press the Windows key+R (to open the Run dialog box).
  2. Type services.msc, and then select OK.
  3. In the Services window, right-click Windows Firewall, and then select Properties.
  4. Make sure that the Startup type is set to Automatic, and then select OK.
  5. Right-click Windows Firewall, and then select Start.

More information

The Previewer feature in Outlook uses the Protected View feature (also known as a sandbox). This feature was introduced in Microsoft Office 2010. In Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012, the Protected View feature has been improved in conjunction with the AppContainer feature. This provides stronger process isolation, and it also blocks network access from the sandbox.

For more information about the Protected View feature, see Overview of security in Office 2013.