Windows Vista Forums
Vista Forums Home Join Vista Forums Windows 7 Forum Vista Tutorials Tags

Welcome to Windows Vista Forums. Our forum is dedicated to helping you find solutions with any problems, errors or issues you are experiencing with Windows Vista. The Vista forum also covers news and updates and has an extensive Vista tutorial section that covers a wide range of tips and tricks.

Go Back   Vista Forums > Vista Forums > Tutorials

Vista Tutorial - Folder Preview Picture Change

Comment
 
LinkBack Tutorial Tools Display Modes
<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Folder Preview Picture Change<!-- google_ad_section_end -->
Folder Preview Picture Change
How to Change a Folder Preview Picture in Vista
Published by Brink
08-28-2007

How to Change a Folder Preview Picture in Vista

Information
  By default a folder in Vista will show a thumbnail preview picture of the folder contents in the folder icon. This will allow you to change that thumbnail preview picture in the folder icon to any image you would like instead.
WARNING
 
  • This will not work with a folder in a external device like a USB key or DVD. External devices do not retain their Windows Explorer folder view settings in Vista.
  • This will not work on folder shortcuts, only on the main folder itself.
RELATED LINKS:
EXAMPLE: Before and After Preview Picture Change
Name:  Folder_Picture_Before.jpg
Views: 10717
Size:  3.6 KBName:  Before2.jpg
Views: 7076
Size:  3.2 KBName:  Folder_Picture_After.jpg
Views: 10700
Size:  3.5 KB

Here's How:
1. Right click on the folder and click Properties.
2. Click the Customize tab. (See screenshot below step 4)

3. To Customize the Folder Preview Picture -
A) Click the Choose File button. (See screenshot below step 4)
WARNING: Only check the Also apply this template to all subfolders box if you want this preview picture for all of the subfolders in this folder to. You can change them individually instead if you wanted to or not at all.

B) Go to step 5.
4. To Restore the Default Folder Preview Picture -
A) Click the Restore Default button. (See screenshot below)
B) Go to step 7.
picture_properties.jpg

5. Navigate to the location of the image you want to use. (See screenshot below)
6. Select the image and click Open.

picture_browse.jpg

7. Click OK to apply. (See screenshot below step 4)
NOTE: You may need to press F5 to refresh the window to see the new preview picture you selected.

8. If for some reason the selected preview picture will not show on the folder, then try this:
A) Do step 2 and 3 in this link: How to Hide or Show Hidden Files and Folders in Vista
B) Open the folder you want to change the preview picture for.
C) Right click on the faded (means it is a hidden file) Desktop.ini file (if you have one) and click on Delete.
NOTE: The Desktop.ini file will be automatically be regenerated the next time you make a change to the folder.

D) Clear the thumbnail cache.
NOTE: For how, see: How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Vista

E) Rebuild the icon cache.
NOTE: For how, see: How to Rebuild the Icon Cache in Vista

F) Now try the above steps again.
That's it,
Shawn
Published by
Brink's Avatar
Administrator

Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 23,759
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute

Tutorial Tools
Show Printable Version Show Printable Version
Email this Page Email this Page

Applies to
All Vista Versions
64 Bit & 32 Bit

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

Old 10-11-2007  
Borna_mir
Member


Join Date: Oct 2007
Vista home premium
 
Rep Power: 13
Borna_mir is on a distinguished road
  Borna_mir is offline

Re: Folder Preview Picture Change

Hi there:

I have a strange situation in this regard, I assigned a few pictures to some directories exactly the way you mentioned here, it worked fine but one of these pictures has been attached to my "Program Files" directory too!!!!!! It happened all by itself and since there's no customize option about "Program Files" directory, I can't change or remove this picture from folder preview of my "Program Files"!!!

Any suggestions?
thanks alot.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-11-2007  
Brink's Avatar
Brink
Administrator



Join Date: Apr 2007
Vista x64 Ultimate SP2
Texas, USA
 
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
  Brink is online now

Re: Folder Preview Picture Change

Hi Borna mir,

Go back to the one that you changed with this picture and change it back to the default (Restore Default) picture. It should restore the Program Files folder with it like it did before.

Curious, which folder did you change that changed the Program Files folder to?

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-12-2007  
Dr.Zaius's Avatar
Dr.Zaius
Newbie


Join Date: Oct 2007
Vista
 
Rep Power: 15
Dr.Zaius will become famous soon enoughDr.Zaius will become famous soon enough
  Dr.Zaius is offline

Re: Folder Preview Picture Change

My issue seems simpler but probably more intractable: sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. Initially I thought it depended on whether or not there were subfolders, but that ain't it.

Refreshing, rebooting, or simply waiting doesn't help either. I'm talking about just regular old folders with nothing but JPEGs in them but some (if not most) leopards absolutely refuse to change their spots!
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-12-2007  
Brink's Avatar
Brink
Administrator



Join Date: Apr 2007
Vista x64 Ultimate SP2
Texas, USA
 
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
  Brink is online now

Re: Folder Preview Picture Change

Hi Dr. Zaius,

Welcome to the forum.

Vista can be picky when it comes to what it will allow to be changed or remembered. Try resetting the folder view settings to see if that will help. Look at method two in this tutorial for how.

How to Reset Windows Explorer Folder View Settings to Make Vista Remember

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-12-2007  
Borna_mir
Member


Join Date: Oct 2007
Vista home premium
 
Rep Power: 13
Borna_mir is on a distinguished road
  Borna_mir is offline

Re: Folder Preview Picture Change

Dear Shawn:

It was an ordinary folder including some pictures that I had customized!! I had similar problem with another folders too!! so finally I decided to forget customizing folders and reset everything to its default condition. using your method on "How to Reset Windows Explorer Folder View Settings to Make Vista Remember" solved the problem with "Program Files" too.

Thanks a lot, Borna
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-12-2007  
Brink's Avatar
Brink
Administrator



Join Date: Apr 2007
Vista x64 Ultimate SP2
Texas, USA
 
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
  Brink is online now

Re: Folder Preview Picture Change

Borna,

I am glad to hear that it solved your problem for you. Could you tell me the full path or location of that ordinary folder? I would like to run some tests by placing a folder in the same location to see if I can come with a way to prevent the problem you had when customizing.

Thank you for the feedback,
Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-13-2007  
Dr.Zaius's Avatar
Dr.Zaius
Newbie


Join Date: Oct 2007
Vista
 
Rep Power: 15
Dr.Zaius will become famous soon enoughDr.Zaius will become famous soon enough
  Dr.Zaius is offline

Re: Folder Preview Picture Change

The method did not work for changing the preview image, but it definitely seemed to make folder settings more stable in general. Many thanks for that!
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-14-2007  
Brink's Avatar
Brink
Administrator



Join Date: Apr 2007
Vista x64 Ultimate SP2
Texas, USA
 
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
  Brink is online now

Re: Folder Preview Picture Change

Dr. Zalius,

Glad to hear that it helped for your folder settings. Where are the folders located for the ones you want to change the preview picture? I have noticed that some system file folders will not change at all.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 10-15-2007  
Dr.Zaius's Avatar
Dr.Zaius
Newbie


Join Date: Oct 2007
Vista
 
Rep Power: 15
Dr.Zaius will become famous soon enoughDr.Zaius will become famous soon enough
  Dr.Zaius is offline

Wink Re: Folder Preview Picture Change

Mainly just subfolders of JPEGs in "C:\Users\DrZ\Pictures." I have found a work-around that's not really a solution but does the trick consistently on my machine at least.

I chose a single pic for the preview thumbnail, then copied and pasted it into the folder making sure it was the only image on that level.

I hoped that would set the preview permanently so the out-of-place copy could be deleted, but it wants to revert back unless you leave it. Not ideal, but easy as falling off a log!
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Comment

Tags
file & folder settings, picture, preview, thumbnail

Tutorial Tools
Display Modes


Similar Threads
Tutorial Tutorial Starter Category Comments Last Post
picture preview Helen Vista General 3 01-03-2008 04:14 PM
Change Picture folder read only attribute Lenny Vista General 6 09-04-2007 09:11 PM
My Picture folder won't show thumbnail of my real picture skinnyboywolfie@gmail.com Vista General 2 03-10-2007 03:36 PM
Change Picture Folder Problem Scottie Dog Vista file management 1 02-04-2007 09:51 PM
Picture icons don't show preview of picture =?Utf-8?B?Q2F0aGVyaW5l?= Vista music pictures video 3 08-11-2006 12:14 AM


Vista Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized,
sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation.
"Windows Vista", the Start Orb, and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
© Designer Media Ltd
Tutorial powered by GARS 2.1.8m ©2005-2006