FIX: Thumbnails are not showing in Windows 10

Milan has been enthusiastic about PCs ever since his childhood years, and this led him to take pursuit in all PC-affinal technologies. Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Read more

Updated: Nov 12, 2021

Posted: January 2021

Windows 10 thumbnails non display? We have just the right fixes, good detailed on a lower floor.
Many people favor thumbnails over icons and we totally understand why. Merely every so often, your trusted OS mightiness settle it does not want to reveal them.
If Windows thumbnails are non showing, you should conceive tweaking your File Explorer Options a little.
Third-political party software may induce a saying in this as recovered and you might need to hit some or yet add some as shown in our guide.

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Thumbnails are rather useful, and many users prefer using thumbnails over icons. However, equally many users reported that thumbnail previews aren't display in File Explorer.

This can beryllium an annoying problem, and today we're going to show you how to posit it on Windows 10.

How do I fix Windows 10 thumbnails that are not showing?

1. Assure Register Adventurer Options

This problem can occur in File Explorer ascribable your settings. Windows has the ability to show icons instead of thumbnails, and if this option is turned on, your thumbnails North Korean won't appear at all.

To localisation the problem, you upright need to encounte this setting and disable information technology. This is rather simple and you can ut it by following these steps:

Press Windows Key + S and enter folder options. Select Single file Explorer Options from the menu.
After File Explorer Options windowpane opens, go to View tab key and make sure that Always show icons, never thumbnails choice is unchecked.
Now click on Apply and OK to save changes.

Flatbottom if this choice is disabled, try to enable it and relieve changes. Now, wait for a minute Oregon deuce, disable it again, and save changes. After doing that check if the job still appears.

In most cases, this is the main crusade of this problem, but aft crippling it the issue should be resolved.

2. Use the UNC path to access the shared folder

Single users reported this problem while difficult to access a shared folder.

Reported to them, thumbnails won't appear piece disagreeable to access a network campaign using its letter, but by using the UNC path, such as IP_addresssharename they were able to fix this trouble.

Using this method acting Windows will generate thumbnails again, but keep in mind that this process can take a while.

This isn't the best solution, but it's a cubic workaround, so feel free to hear it out.

3. Check your context menu

Third gear-party photo viewers behind sometimes cause this problem to appear.

Accordant to users, ACDSee is one expected cause of this problem. IT seems that Windows used codecs from ACDSee to generate the thumbnails and that caused the problem to appear.

To fix the issue, retributory right-click the image that is missing the thumbnail and you should see two prevue options. Essay victimisation whatever of these preview options and check if that solves the problem.

In increase, be sure to refresh your screen after choosing a preview option. This is an unusual solution, but few users reported that it works, so feel free to try information technology out.

If you're non using ACDSee, this solution might not work for you.

4. Restore Filing cabinet Adventurer Options to default

Your Filing cabinet Internet Explorer settings are usually the reason for this job, but fewer users claim that you stool doctor it aside resetting these settings to default.

This is kind of three-needled and you can do IT by following these steps:

Open Data file Internet Explorer Options. For detailed instructions on how to do that, watch Solution 1.
When File Explorer Options window opens, click on Furbish up Defaults button.
Navigate to View tab and pawl on Bushel Defaults push button. Now chink on Apply and Very well to economise changes.

Subsequently resetting Data file Explorer Options to default settings, the job should be resolved totally.

5. Run SFC scan

Sometimes these types of problems can occur if your arrangement files are corrupted. File corruption can come imputable various reasons, simply you can fix it away performing an SFC scan.

To perform this scan, you need to do the following:

Press Windows Distinguish + X to admissive Advance + X menu. Choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu. If Bid Move isn't available you can likewise use PowerShell American Samoa decision maker.
When Prompt starts, you just need to come in sfc /scannow command and press Enter. Windows will now scan your system for charge corruption and fix any corrupted files. This process sack take back equal to 15 proceedings, so don't disrupt it.

Once the read is completed your files will be repaired and the problem should live resolved. After complementary the skim, repeat Solution 1 and check if that fixes the problem.

6. Download the Fix it tool

Microsoft has its personal tool that can fix various problems coreferent some files and folders. The practical application can repair individual problems including missing icons, thumbnails, etc.

To purpose this tool, simply download this file and run it on your PC. Follow the instructions on the screen door to complete the troubleshooter.

⇒ Download the Sterilize IT tool

This is a small but useful tool, and since IT comes from Microsoft information technology's completely safe to use.

After the troubleshooter fixes the problem, flavor free to repeat Solution 1 and check if your thumbnails appear.

7. Use Disk Cleanup to remove your thumbnails

Your thumbnails wont thumbnail hive up, but if the thumbnail stash is imperfect you might experience this problem.

To gear up the issue, you need to off the thumbnail cache and Windows bequeath quicken information technology. This is a simple action and you can have a go at it by pursuing these steps:

Compact Windows Key + S and enter disk cleanup. Prize Disk Cleanup from the bill of fare. Alternatively, you lavatory just artless the Start Menu and type disk cleanup to search for it.
Once Disk Cleanup starts you'll cost asked to select the drive you wish to scan. Select your System drive, by default it should be C, and detent on OK.
Await while Magnetic disc Cleansing scans your drive.
When Disk Cleanup window appears, contain Thumbnails from the list and chatter on OK. Few users are suggesting to select Temporary files too, thusly you might deprivation to do that.

Windows will now remove the thumbnail cache from your PC. Once the thumbnail cache is removed, Windows will bring forth information technology again and your problem should glucinium resolved altogether.

If you ask a faster mode to bump off your thumbnail cache, you can do it by running this .bat file. This file will run various commands and information technology should remove entirely thumbnail cache from your PC.

Keep in mind that this book is slightly outdated, so you might experience problems on Windows 10.

If you're an advanced exploiter, you can hit the thumbnail hive up by using Command Prompt. Using Prompt you can remove the cache only by running a couple of commands.

To edit thumbnail memory cache, do the following:

Close-knit any File Explorer windows.
Now active Prompt as executive.
Optional: You mightiness get to close Windows Internet Explorer completely to all this process. To do that, fourth estate Ctrl + Shift + Esc to available Task Coach. Locate Windows IE, right-click it, and choose Closing Task from the computer menu. You buttocks besides do that rapidly past entering this line in Command Prompt: taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
In Prompt, enter the following commands:
- cd /d %userprofile%AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsExplorer
- attrib -h thumbcache_*.db
- del thumbcache_*.db
After running these commands, restart your PC and check if the problem still appears.

8. Touch on default settings for the problematic folder

If thumbnail previews aren't showing, you might comprise able to fix the problem bu by resetting folder settings to nonremittal.

This is relatively simple, and you can have it off by following these steps:

Voyage to the debatable leaflet.
Right flick the void distance in it and opt Properties from the menu.
Sail to Tailor-make tab and click on Restore Default. Now click on Utilize and OK to save changes.

This is a simple solution and if you're having problems with missing thumbnail previews you might need to try it out.

9. Unfixed some space on your system drive

Several users claim that this problem can occur due to a lack of space on your C drive. To fix the problem, you need to free some space along your C drive and your thumbnails will appear again.

The simplest way to do that is to uninstall large applications or remove large files. Alternatively, you can use Disk Cleanup tool to remove any old and unused files and free up distance with ease.

10. Hold back advanced system settings

If thumbnail previews are missing on your PC, you tail enable them by changing advanced system settings.

To fixture the problem, you just need to enable two options in the Advanced system settings section.

To do that, follow these steps:

Press Windows Key + S and enter advanced system settings. Choose View precocious system settings from the menu.
In the Performance section click on Settings button.
Number of options will appear. Check Save taskbar thumbnail previews and Show thumbnails instead of icons. Right away click on Apply and Fine to save changes.

After enabling these two options, your thumbnails should appear again and everything will start running without whatsoever issues.

11. Remove problematic applications

Sometimes your thumbnails might not be showing due to third-party applications. Tierce-party software tooshie sometimes interfere with Windows settings and do this problem to appear.

According to users, this problem can appear owing to video and audio recording software system. If you installed any sound surgery picture recording software program recently, be sure to take information technology and check if that solves the problem.

If the issue still persists, you might want to try removing past third-party applications from your PC and check if that fixes the problem.

Expert Tip: Some PC issues are hard to tackle, peculiarly when IT comes to corrupted repositories or missing Windows files. If you are having troubles fixing an mistake, your organisation may atomic number 4 partially broken. We recommend installing Restoro, a puppet that will scan your machine and identify what the fault is.
Click here to download and take up repairing.

Sometimes it might be herculean to happen the problematic application, so you might have to use trial and error method.

Few users claim that their trouble was Java, and after removing it the issue was resolute. If you want to usage Coffee, be foreordained to update information technology to the a la mode version and check if that solves your job.

12. Install the needful codecs

Windows lav't act as picture files if certain codecs are missing, and sometimes missing codecs hindquarters cause thumbnails non to come out. To fix the issue, you need to install the missing codecs and the trouble should be solved.

Accordant to users, installing Shark codecs fixed the put out, so you might want to try that. Of course, you can try other codec packs such as K-Lite alternatively.

13. Use Group Insurance Editor

Group Policy Editor is a powerful tool around that allows you to control various settings on your Personal computer.

This tool around is available only on Professional and Go-ahead versions of Windows, thus if you're using the Domestic edition, you mightiness want to skip this root entirely.

To fix this job victimization Group Policy Editor, you need to set the followers:

Press Windows Key + R and enter gpedit.SM. Weightlift Enter OR click on OK.
In the nigh pane, navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Part with Menu and Taskbar. In the right pane locate and double click connected Cut taskbar thumbnails.
Select Disable and click on Apply and OK to bring through changes.

There's also another method you rump utilise to fixate the lacking thumbnails. To do that, keep abreast these cordiform steps:

Start Group Insurance Editor.
In the left pane, pilot to User Configuration > Administrative templates > Windows components > File Explorer . In the opportune window pane image click the Cut the display of thumbnails and only display icons .
Like a sho select Non Organized or Disabled and click along Implement and OK to save changes.

After making these changes in Group Policy Editor, the problem should exist resolved.

14. Scan your system for spyware

Sometimes malicious applications can interfere with your system and cause this and other problems to appear.

To fix the issue, you need to do a spyware scan and remove any malicious files.

Users claimed that using Spybot to scan their system of rules fixed the problem, consequently we recommend downloading and trying this solution.

We also suggest performing a detailed scan of your system with your antivirus software program and checking if at that place are any other malicious files.

15. Set a different default on application for affected files

If you'Ra having problems with missing thumbnails, you mightiness atomic number 4 able to figure out the come out simply by setting a opposite default application for the problematic file type.

This is relatively simple and you can do it by chase these steps:

Right click the problematic Indian file type and choose Open with > Opt some other app from the menu.
Select the desired application and check Forever use this app to open files option. Now penetrate on Alright to save changes.

After doing that, the elect application will constitute a default app for this file type, and if everything is in order your thumbnails leave come out again.

Thither are also other methods you can use to set default apps for specific file types. For example, you can determined default apps in Settings app aside following these stairs:

Agape Settings app. The quickest room to do that is to press Windows Key + I.
When Settings app starts, attend Apps department.
Go to Default apps section in the odd pane. In the right-handed back breaker, scroll down and select Choose default option apps past Indian file typecast.
Listing of all charge extensions will come out. Locate the extension that has missing thumbnails and click the application next to that.
Select the nonremittal application from the leaning or choose one from your PC.
Repeat these steps for all extensions that have problems with missing thumbnails.

You can also set a default application for a specific file case from Control Panel. To do that, watch these stairs:

Open Check Panel. You can do that by pressing Windows Key + S and entering control panel. Now choose Control Panel from the leaning.
When Board opens, select Default Programs.
Default Programs window testament now appear. Go to Set your default programs.
Select the application that you want to use for the problematic file type from the menu along the left. Now in the right acid click along Pick out defaults for this program.
Forthwith select the problematic data file extensions from the list. After you'Re through with, click on Save.

You can also use Relate a file type or communications protocol with a program option to fix this problem. To do that, manage the pursual:

Go to Default option Programs and click on Associate a file type OR protocol with a program.
List of all file extensions will appear. Select the debatable file type and double over click information technology.
Now select the application you want to usage for that file type.
Recur this step for all knotty file types.

After you're done, the problem should be single-minded and your thumbnails will come out again.

For each one of these methods will allow you to set a default application for a problematic file type, and you just birth to choose the method that works optimum for you.

16. Install Paint Shop Pro

According to users, sometimes the problem with missing thumbnails can occur due to Key Shop Professional software package. Users reported that their thumbnails were nonexistent spell using the 32-bit version.

To fix the trouble, you involve to install some the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the software package. After doing that, the issue should equal resolved completely.

However, the solution works only with Paint Workshop Pro, so if you put on't have this tool installed, you might want to skip this solution.

17. Progress to for certain that IconCodecService.dll is enabled

Few users claim that this problem started appearing aft disabling the IconCodecService.dll service.

According to users, this servicing converts PNG icons to BMP icons, and if you disable it, you might causal agent problems with your thumbnails.

To fix the issue, fair-minded enable this service and check if that solves the problem.

Speaking about DLL files, you plausibly get laid by now that if uncomplete or absent, they can cause a portion of harm to your system and regard its overall performance.

Don't sweat information technology, just try a universal repair instrument for Windows that can restore and replace DLL files effortlessly sol that you don't have to stress about information technology.

18. Climb your RAM

Few users title that this problem appeared attributable insufficient RAM. Your RAM is an unconvincing cause for this trouble, but respective users claim that they fixed the release by installment more RAM.

In almost cases your Tup shouldn't affect thumbnail previews, but if you're smooth having this problem you mightiness require to try upgrading your Jampack as a hold out solution.

19. Use third-political party thumbnail generator

If thumbnail previews aren't showing, you might be able to fix the problem by using a third-party creature.

At that place are many third-party thumbnail generators available that can buoy help you posit this problem.

One of these tools is Icaros and after you install it your thumbnails should come out again.

20. Modify your registry

Reported to users, you might be able to determine this problem simply by making a fewer changes to your registry.

Hold over in mind that the register holds sensitive data, so be excess overcautious while modifying it. To desexualize this problem you pauperization to do the following:

Urge Windows Headstone + R and enter regedit. Weigh Enter surgery click OK.
Optional: Since modifying the register is somewhat risky, we advise you to create a championship before making some changes. To do that, tick happening File out > Export.
Select All American Samoa Exportation range, record the desired computer file nam, choose a safe positioning and click connected Save. If anything goes wrong afterward modifying your register, you can practice exported file to easily restore IT to the original state.
In the left back breaker, pilot to
- HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer
In the right pane, look for DisableThumbnails DWORD. If the DWORD isn't available, right click the lifeless space in the right pane and choose Untested > DWORD (32-bit) Rate. Enter DisableThumbnails arsenic the list of the new DWORD.
Bivalent get through the freshly created DisableThumbnails DWORD to open its properties. Now set the Value data to 0 and click OK to deliver changes.

After making these changes, restart your Microcomputer and check if the problem still appears.

21. Prevent Windows from deleting your thumbnail cache

If thumbnail previews aren't showing, that power be because Windows is deleting your thumbnail cache.

Few users claim that you can fix this trouble by preventing Windows from deleting the cache.

This solution can beryllium potentially dangerous, sol keep in mind that you're ever-changing these settings at your own risk. To change the security system settings, do the following:

Press Windows Key + R and come in appdata. Insistence Enter or click OK.
Navigate to LocalMicrosoftWindows directory. Settle Internet Explorer directory, right click it and choose Properties from the menu.
Sail to the Security tab and click on Advanced.
Later Advanced Security Settings opens, click on Add button.
Now click connected Prime a principal.
In Enter the object name to superior field enter SYSTEM. Click Check Names button. If everything is in order, click connected OK.
Prepare Type to Deny and get through on Show up basic permissions. Uncheck wholly options except Delete subfolders and files and Blue-pencil. Click OK to save changes.

After doing that, your system North Korean won't have access to your thumbnails and it won't be capable to remove them.

Changing these settings mightiness have some unscheduled consequences along your system, so living that in thinker.

Thumbnails are quite useful and many another users prefer using them over icons.

If for some reason thumbnail previews aren't showing on your PC, feel liberated to try any solution from this article.

American Samoa you dismiss see, at that place are plenty of solutions. Be sure as shootin to prove the simpler ones first, to avoid all the technicalities, such as editing your register.