Windows Vista Forums

Thumbnails generate then disappear in Explorer
  1. #1


    RHM Guest

    Thumbnails generate then disappear in Explorer

    I am running Vista Home Premium SP1 with all recent updates on an Acer 5420
    laptop. However, while using Explorer to look at folders with jpg, bmp, and
    other image files; I see the thumbnails quickly generated only to have them
    disappear and be replaced with a generic icon for the file type. Video files
    (wmv, mpg, etc.) have "persistent" thumbnails. After searching for possible
    solutions I have applied, or confirmed, the appropriate options for Explorer
    -- uncheck the Show icons, never thumbnail option, etc. Additionally, the
    system performace is set to "best appearance" (It has also been set to about
    every other possiblity as well). Various registry modifications have been
    applied -- with no resolution. The system has been restarted after each
    change in configuration. Refresh will "flash" the thumbnails for a split
    second before returning to the generic icons.



    This is driving me crazy, not to mention wasted a couple days of productive
    time. Since the thumbnail view is so critical to my daily work, I purchased
    a third party file utility (PowerDesk) whose thumbnail functions are
    flawless. I would stay wit this solution except for the fact that my
    workplace doesn't want to purchase license for multiple copies of PowerDesk,
    when Explorer should be more than adequate. Why won't Vista's explorer
    perform as it should? Any ideas? (Other than, "you should have stuck with
    XP!" I would have loved to have stayed with XP, but it wasn't my decision to
    migrate -- downgrade IMHO -- to Vista.) Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  2. #2


    RVLew Guest

    RE: Thumbnails generate then disappear in Explorer

    I am having the same problem. I was able to view the thumbnails but now get
    the generic thumbnail image. I am unable to find the setting to view
    thumbnail jpgs.

    "RHM" wrote:

    > I am running Vista Home Premium SP1 with all recent updates on an Acer 5420
    > laptop. However, while using Explorer to look at folders with jpg, bmp, and
    > other image files; I see the thumbnails quickly generated only to have them
    > disappear and be replaced with a generic icon for the file type. Video files
    > (wmv, mpg, etc.) have "persistent" thumbnails. After searching for possible
    > solutions I have applied, or confirmed, the appropriate options for Explorer
    > -- uncheck the Show icons, never thumbnail option, etc. Additionally, the
    > system performace is set to "best appearance" (It has also been set to about
    > every other possiblity as well). Various registry modifications have been
    > applied -- with no resolution. The system has been restarted after each
    > change in configuration. Refresh will "flash" the thumbnails for a split
    > second before returning to the generic icons.
    >
    > This is driving me crazy, not to mention wasted a couple days of productive
    > time. Since the thumbnail view is so critical to my daily work, I purchased
    > a third party file utility (PowerDesk) whose thumbnail functions are
    > flawless. I would stay wit this solution except for the fact that my
    > workplace doesn't want to purchase license for multiple copies of PowerDesk,
    > when Explorer should be more than adequate. Why won't Vista's explorer
    > perform as it should? Any ideas? (Other than, "you should have stuck with
    > XP!" I would have loved to have stayed with XP, but it wasn't my decision to
    > migrate -- downgrade IMHO -- to Vista.) Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  3. #3


    RHM Guest

    RE: Thumbnails generate then disappear in Explorer

    After searching for hours for a solution to this problem, and trying out the
    various solutions: various Explorer settings, registry edits, calls to
    Micro$oft support (Now, there's an oxymoron for you!), etc. -- none of which
    have worked, I have decided that my time is more important than the cost of
    the PowerDesk utility which replaces Explorer and handles thumbnails without
    difficulty. Until then I'll just make a mental note to myself to never buy
    another MS product until SP2 (or SP3) is released.

    "RVLew" wrote:

    > I am having the same problem. I was able to view the thumbnails but now get
    > the generic thumbnail image. I am unable to find the setting to view
    > thumbnail jpgs.
    >
    > "RHM" wrote:
    >

    > > I am running Vista Home Premium SP1 with all recent updates on an Acer 5420
    > > laptop. However, while using Explorer to look at folders with jpg, bmp, and
    > > other image files; I see the thumbnails quickly generated only to have them
    > > disappear and be replaced with a generic icon for the file type. Video files
    > > (wmv, mpg, etc.) have "persistent" thumbnails. After searching for possible
    > > solutions I have applied, or confirmed, the appropriate options for Explorer
    > > -- uncheck the Show icons, never thumbnail option, etc. Additionally, the
    > > system performace is set to "best appearance" (It has also been set to about
    > > every other possiblity as well). Various registry modifications have been
    > > applied -- with no resolution. The system has been restarted after each
    > > change in configuration. Refresh will "flash" the thumbnails for a split
    > > second before returning to the generic icons.
    > >
    > > This is driving me crazy, not to mention wasted a couple days of productive
    > > time. Since the thumbnail view is so critical to my daily work, I purchased
    > > a third party file utility (PowerDesk) whose thumbnail functions are
    > > flawless. I would stay wit this solution except for the fact that my
    > > workplace doesn't want to purchase license for multiple copies of PowerDesk,
    > > when Explorer should be more than adequate. Why won't Vista's explorer
    > > perform as it should? Any ideas? (Other than, "you should have stuck with
    > > XP!" I would have loved to have stayed with XP, but it wasn't my decision to
    > > migrate -- downgrade IMHO -- to Vista.) Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

Thumbnails generate then disappear in Explorer problems?

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