Sep 11, 2023

New Behavior: Dragged attachments out of a Gmail message now become "preview" files

Using Chrome 109 in Windows 7, any attachments dragged out of a received Gmail message now become an HTML file named "Preview attachment <attachment file name><attachment file size>" instead of retaining the original file format and being openable. Trying to open this new Preview file generates an error page:

"Temporary Error (404)

We’re sorry, but your account is temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience and suggest trying again in a few minutes. You can view the Google Workspace Status Dashboard for the current status of the service."

Tried disabling extensions, clearing cache, everything. Made no other changes or additions to system or software.

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Reading and Receiving Messages,Chrome,Windows

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chelsea short

Sep 19, 2023

Ctrl R while in GMail worked, thank you! Still Shows "Preview Attachment" as you drag it but it will copy over as a PDF.

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John Hutchcroft

Sep 19, 2023

Thank you. It now works.

When you click on the attachment it will say "Preview" until you drop it to your destination file then it will no longer show as a Preview.

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Jacqui Boyce

Sep 19, 2023

AYYY! That worked!!

It didn't work at first, so I clicked on an actual email and tried again...then closed and reopened gmail. It worked!!

Thank you thank you!!

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icantchooseone

Diamond Product Expert

Sep 19, 2023

Jacqui Boyce said:

The issue is still there for me

update chrome and then reload gmail then its fixed

press control r while on gmail screen to reload it

Last edited Sep 19, 2023

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All Replies (18)

Andrew Hatchett

Gold Product Expert

A Google Product Expert 1:1 Help *agh.3rd | GoogleMail*

Sep 11, 2023

Hello and welcome, Merek Press.

Thank you for participating in the Gmail Community.

My reply below is based on content from the Product Help Centers and Google Community Forums I participate in. It is my belief that the content is true as of September 11, 2023.

Windows 7 is no longer a supported operating system' You need to update to a supported OS.

If you think the above information was of value to you in resolving your issue, please click the "Recommend" button to aid others in finding an answer to their similar problem. Thanks again.

Andrew G. Hatchett-Not a Google Employee. #G4GN23091123

A Volunteer Google Product Expert helping End Users in 20+ Google Product Forums

agh.3rd | GoogleMail.com | CO-FOUNDER (2014): USER2USER-LIVE!

icantchooseone

Diamond Product Expert

Sep 12, 2023

the issue has been flagged to the team and it is being investigated by Google

i am Bill

Sep 12, 2023

this appears to be an issue with windows and not with chrome. Same issue using edge.

Jason Engel

Sep 12, 2023

This is happened to me as well. Windows 11, Edge. Very annoying. I hope they fix soon. It has always happened every now and then but I would just re-drag the attachment and it would work. Now it always gives me that preview file.

User 13097627560133961932

Sep 12, 2023

I heared about this from one of my clients, I tested it on my browser and it was all good.

I updated Chrome and tried again, now I got a link instead of the actual file.

It's definitely Chrome.

David 2411

Sep 12, 2023

It's not just Chrome, I suspected it could be that and downloaded Firefox, I still had the same issue. It must be a Gmail issue that some update has caused. I asked a colleague at work to try it on his computer and it worked perfectly. He's using Chrome and Gmail so I was at a loss and thought it was my computer originally.

User 15215095540381899908

Sep 14, 2023

Hello everyone! Any solution? I have the same problem.

chelsea short

Sep 14, 2023

It appears there is sill no solution or fix from Google yet, real bummer.

Oscar Zamora 4971

Sep 14, 2023

It would seem that not enough awareness has been raised regarding the issue for it to warrant a reversal; although it is a textbook case of fixing what wasn't broken to begin with.

Meanwhile, my productivity and workflow (as well many others', I am certain) have taken quite the dent.

Last edited Sep 14, 2023

Katy Savard

Sep 14, 2023

Same issue and agree with Oscar - its slowing down my workflow.

Brad Quesnell

Sep 14, 2023

Same here. It's the little things.

EVG-Radar

Sep 19, 2023

Update via Go to Settings > About Chrome. and restart chrome as mentioned in a comment after it download worked for me!!! YAYYYY!!!

Givaden

Sep 21, 2023

Can confirm that EVG-Radar's fix actually worked. Updated to Chrome Version 117.0.5938.89 and was able to drag and drop attachments to my desktop and have them save according to file type and not as a preview.