Windows 10: Same problem as JEROL and CAROLINEJOHNSON from 2017 with icons instead of thumbnails for...

Windows 10 20H2 : I have tried so many fixes from WFExp View Options, search for corrupted files and register problems, to running different media players as default. I still only see the icons created by the selected default app instead of thumbnails.

:)

 

Picture ICONS instead of thumbnail pics

Suddenly all of my picture thumbnails are ICONS, instead of thumbnail pics. I have gone through the steps of Unchecking a box that says "always show ICONS instead of thumbnails" and that did NOT help.

I don't like Microsoft Edge or the Cloud, I think those are the culprits that keep doing this to my thumbnails.

 

No icons and Thumbnail instead of Preview

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I understand that icons on your PC for several applications are missing on your PC. For further clarity on the issue, please respond to the questions below:

1. Are you aware of any changes made to the PC prior to which you weren’t facing this issue?
   
2. What troubleshooting steps have you tried?
   

Meanwhile, I would suggest you to follow the steps mentioned below and see if that helps.

Method 1:

Try running the troubleshooter for File Explorer and see if that helps. Refer the article

Automatically diagnose and repair Windows file and folder problems

Method 2:

Try rebuilding Icon and Thumbnail Cache and see if that helps.

Rebuilding Thumbnail Cache:

1. Now press Windows +
   S key together to open Search.
   
2. Now type CMD and select Run as administrator.
   
3. Accept the UAC prompts.
   
4. Type in the following commands one by one and hit
   Enter:
   
   taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
   
   del /f /s /q /a %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\thumbcache_*.db
   
   start explorer.exe
   
5. Restart the PC
   

Rebuilding Icon Cache:

1. Press Windows +
   E key together to open File Explorer.
   
2. Now click on View tab and check the box next to
   Hidden items.
   
3. Press Windows +
   R key together, type Appdata, and click on
   OK.
   
4. Double-click on Local to open it.
   
5. Locate the file name IconCache and right click on it.
   
6. Now click on Delete and click on
   Yes.
   
7. Restart the PC.
   

Method 3:

Test the issue on new user account and see if the icons are visible. Refer the article

Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

Prakhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

 

Windows 10 showing device icons instead of thumbnails in folders

Hi me15prg9926,

There's a possibility that some folder settings may have changed. It could be set to show icons and not thumbnails. To verify that, please follow the steps below:

• Open the File Explorer.
• Click the View tab.
• On the upper-right corner, click Options.
• On the Folder Options, click the View tab.
• Under Files and Folders, uncheck Always show icons, never thumbnails.
• Click Apply, then OK.

Once done, try checking if the folder icons are already showing thumbnails.

Update us with the result.

Regards.