Windows 10: ALL Thumbnails disappear in Windows Explorer?

I've searched all across the internet for this and all I see is photo thumbnails disappearing, but this case is different. Almost ALL of the thumbnails have disappeared including program icons, videos, images, music, zip files, etc. except for folders and turned into "file" icons or IrfanView icons for images. Windows Explorer also takes a lot of time to load at times. The icons on the left of Windows Explorer seem buggy too. The problem disappears if I restart my laptop, but gradually becomes like this after I use it for some time. Does anyone have an idea on why this happens? Do let me know if there's more details needed. Thank you!

:)

 

File Explorer not showing thumbnails

Brink,

Many thanks for you reply. I have done all the steps you suggested, but no change,

When I open a folder containing photos, some open correctly but the vast majority open with thumbnails, but they very quickly get overwritten and you can not longer see the thumbnails.

Are there any more suggestions?

 

How to disable thumbnails for all files

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that you want to disable thumbnails for all the files, let me help you with the steps.



Refer the steps mentioned below:



Disable Thumbnails in File Explorer:

1. Press Windows Logo key + R, to open
   Run dialog box.
   
2. Type control folders and click on
   OK.
   
3. Click on View tab.
   
4. Select the checkbox for Always show icons, never thumbnails under
   Files and Folders.
   

Disable Thumbnails in Visual Effects:

1. Press Windows Logo key + R, to open
   Run dialog box.
   
2. Type SystemPropertiesPerformance
   and click on OK.
   
3. Go to Visual Effects tab and clear the checkbox for
   Show thumbnails instead of icons.
   
4. Click on Apply and OK.
   

Let us know if you need any further assistance, we will be glad to help you further.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Thumbnails Disappear

Hi Darren,

Thank you for posting your concern here in the Community forum. One possible solution to this issue is to
clear and reset the thumbnail cache of your PC. Kindly follow the steps below to do this:

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. On the Run dialog box, type cleanmgr.
3. Press Enter.
4. If you have more than one drive or partition on your PC, select the Windows C: drive or the drive letter you wanted to clean.
5. Click OK.
6. Uncheck all the files that have a check beside it, but make sure there's a check on Thumbnails.
7. Click OK.
8. Click Delete Files to confirm.

Once Disk Cleanup has finished, restart your device for changes to take effect.

Please reply to this thread in order for us to help you further.

Regards.