Vista - How to view photo thumbnails with Windows Explorer in 64 Bit Vista

I was having a problem seeing thumbnails in Windows Explorer with Vista Ultimate 64. In trying to solve this problem I noticed many threads all over the Internet with people having this same problem. Several threads are on this site.

Rather than bump an old thread or reply to each thread I registered so I can post my solution in hopes that others who search for a solution will easily find it here.

This solution is specifically for people who have 64 bit versions of Vista and can't see their thumbnails despite trying the various fixes, many of which are found here (but do not solve the problem). For me when I opened a folder with photos the thumbnails would very briefly flash and then disappeared, being replaced with the generic image icon.

My first clue to solving the problem was posted in an Adobe forum (several Adobe products seem to cause thumbnails to break). It was discovered there that if you open the folder with 32 bit Explorer (included with 64 bit Windows) the thumbnails would be generated.

So I had to figure out how to run 32 bit Explorer and found the solution here. The easiest way to do this is right-click on your desktop and select New --> Shortcut. Then copy the following code into the location box: Then click Next and then give the shortcut a name like 32 Bit Explorer.

Now open the shortcut and use Explorer to navigate to the folder with your photos. From the Views drop down menu select Extra Large, Large or Medium icons and your thumbnails will be generated.

TIPS:
1) Select MEDIUM icons while thumbnails are being generated. In most cases Explorer won't generate the thumbnails unless the icons are visible in the Explorer window. Using medium thumbnails will display the maximum number of icons in your window.

2) Do not change icon size while thumbnails are being created. If you want to change the icon size first change it (from the Views menu) then switch to another folder and then return to the original folder to resume thumbnail generation. I've found that switching icon size can cause thumbnail generation to prematurely stop, especially in folders with many pictures. So if you change sizes you'll have to leave the folder and come back to resume thumbnail generation.

3) Thumbnails are sometimes generated in steps (this may have something to do with the resolution or aspect ratio of your photos). For me the thumbnails first appear with black crop bars at the top and bottom and then they "pop" to full size. My thumbnails aren't saved until they pop. The location bar at the top of the Explorer window is also a progress bar while thumbnails are being generated, when the bar stops changing colors the thumbnails are done. Now you can scroll down in the folder (if necessary) to generate more thumbnails.

Unfortunately you have to go through this tedious process for every folder that has pictures in it.

I wonder if anyone has written a script that automates this process or if there is some other way to expedite it. I have thousands of photos spread across hundreds of folders and it's impractical for me to do this for all of them, but it's better than nothing.

If you have a more efficient solution please share it!

FYI - From my understanding simply opening a photo with any 32 bit application will generate a Windows thumbnail. There is no need to modify or re-save the file to get the thumbnail. So if there are any 32 bit programs that you can trick into batch opening and closing pictures in multiple folders that would be an even better solution. If you have any suggestions please post them.

The Codecs page for RAW photo support for Vista is here:
http://www.microsoft.com/prophoto/downloads/codecs.aspx

On 64 bit platforms, a simpler solution that people may want to consider is
to use one of our 64 bit codecs. It's a simple installation that gives
native support without having to do anything special.

We have 64 bit codecs for Canon CR2, Nikon NEF, and Adobe DNG.

Each codec has a free, fully functional 15 day trial.

David Blake
http://www.ardfry.com