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Vista includes some built-in preview handlers but if you want to preview more file types in the Reading pane, you'll need to install preview handlers. Instructions for writing your own handlers along with some common file types are available in Stephen Toub's managed preview handlers. (The ZIP preview handler requires Microsoft Visual J#® 2.0 Redistributable Package - install it before installing the preview handler.)

You'll need to download the code (PreviewHandlers2007_01.exe) linked at the top of the MSDN page. After installing the exe, look for the PreviewHandlers setup.msi in  the \PreviewHandlers\Installer path and double click to run it.

Tip: If you use WinZip or similar, right click on PreviewHandlers2007_01.exe after downloading and extract to a folder. Open that folder and repeat - open the Installer folder to find PreviewHandlers setup.msi. 

If you use Windows XP, you need to do the following to install the handlers:

1. Install Microsoft Visual J#® 2.0 Redistributable Package
2. Install Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package
3. Install PrevHandlerPack from http://www.azarfamily.org/previewhandlersforwindowsxp#download.  This package includes Stephen Toub's managed preview handlers.

See http://www.azarfamily.org/previewhandlersforwindowsxp for more information and the source code for this package.

Adobe Reader 8.1 installs a preview handler or you can use FoxIt - get Tim Heuer's FoxIt previewer if you prefer FoxIt.

Stephen Toub also wrote a preview handler editor utility - see Preview Handler Association Editor