Windows 8.1 Preview Pane only shows Icons for pictures - no previews

Anonymous
2013-11-18T15:19:36+00:00

I can view previews of documents (pdfs and docs) but previews of jpegs (and all other image file formats) will only show icons no matter what I configure as the Default Program, i.e. Photo, MS Paint, or Photoshop.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2013-11-18T19:34:26+00:00

Hi,

Thanks for reporting this problem! It sounds like you need to change a system setting relating to thumbnails. Perform the following steps to enable thumbnails to be shown:

  1. Launch File Explorer (Winkey+E).
  2. Click the View tab at the top of the window.
  3. Click the Options button.
  4. In the Folder Options window that appears, click on the View tab..
  5. Uncheck the "Always show icons, never thumbnails" option.
  6. Click Apply, then OK.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-12-11T15:31:49+00:00

    **Thread locked by the moderator since it has already run its course. The efforts of all of the contributors in this thread are very much appreciated. If you're having issues with any Microsoft products or services, feel free to use the***'Participate'** menu to ask a question or just simply click the **'*Ask a Question' button on the upper right corner of the page.**

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-12-08T17:27:24+00:00

    YOU ROCK....THANK YOU SO MUCH

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-03-13T11:27:56+00:00

    Hi,

    To better understand your concern, can you tell us what action are you trying to perform?

    Regards.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-03-12T16:46:47+00:00

    I have tried this over and over and it doesn't restore the thumbnails.

    The three methods I've tried are as follows:

    1.    Open the folder in Windows Explorer and click the down arrow next to Views at the top.  Choose Medium icons and see if the thumbnails start working again.

    2.    If not, click on Organize, then Folder and Search Options.  Click the View tab.  Make sure that "Always show icons, never thumbnails" does not have a check mark next to it.

    3.    Open Control Panel. (Classic View). Click on the System icon. Click on the advanced system settings link. Under Performance, click on the Settings button. In the Visual Effects tab, Check "Show thumbnails instead of icons.”

    none of these options have worked.

    problem started just last week.

    any other options

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