"the filename didn't always reflect the quilt name and the only way to see the pattern was to open each file"
I have Windows 7 and when I open a document(pdf or .docx) I see the item in the preview pane to the right side. Perhaps yours is shut off? In the upper corner is a circle with a question mark. To the left of that is the icon for the preview pane which you can have on or off.
Hopes this helps.