Windows 10 Image Thumbnails Flash then Disappear in Explorer

Anonymous
2017-12-05T17:15:02+00:00

I'm running Windows 10 Pro, Version 1703. Basically, whenever I open a folder, the image thumbnails will flash then disappear, and I've maid sure my "Always show Icons, Not Thumbnails" is unchecked. I have no idea what the problem is, as that was the only solution I could seem to find. Thank you!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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
2018-01-01T13:46:04+00:00

I just learned that if you deactivate the OneDrive "save space and download files as you use them" feature (i.e. leave all OneDrive files on your PC) then the thumbnail problem is fixed.  In addition, the Photos app now shows these files (which it did not do before, even though the files were locally "always" stored on the PC).

There is clearly a bug in the change to OneDrive -- don't get me wrong, the selective sync feature is nice, but it is affecting the thumbnail process somehow.

Moderator's note:

You can disable OneDrive Files On-Demand feature using these steps:

  1. Right click OneDrive icon on taskbar, select Settings.
  2. In Settings tab, under Files On-Demand, uncheck Save space and download files as you use them option.
  3. Click OK.

Note: Microsoft has updated the information in this reply, to benefit users facing this issue.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-11-07T13:25:04+00:00

    I had the same issue and realised that I had "Disabled" the OneDrive sync on start up in Task manager.

    Once I enabled it again picture thumbnails were restored.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-10-07T21:32:04+00:00

    I used WiseCare. It cleaned my coputer from unneeded files. And thumbnails appeared again.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-07-30T20:33:07+00:00

    I just learned that if you deactivate the OneDrive "save space and download files as you use them" feature (i.e. leave all OneDrive files on your PC) then the thumbnail problem is fixed.  In addition, the Photos app now shows these files (which it did not do before, even though the files were locally "always" stored on the PC).

    There is clearly a bug in the change to OneDrive -- don't get me wrong, the selective sync feature is nice, but it is affecting the thumbnail process somehow.

    This is the real answer. Thank you!

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-06-16T18:10:33+00:00

    I have a solution... I think.

    For those of you who are having this problem with OneDrive folders, I may have a solution (after trying almost 20 different "fixes")…

    In the OneDrive settings, I have "Save Space" option deselected, all 3 "Auto Save" options set to "This PC Only" but the key seems to the next step: "Choose folders" then deselect the folders you are having trouble with... wait for the folders to disappear from your PC... then go back to "Choose folders" and select them again.

    This was a bit troublesome to me since I had my system "Pictures" folders pointed to D:\OneDrive\Pictures but thankfully the system folder just reset to Users and was easy enough to point back to my OneDrive folder.

    My thumbnails no longer flash and disappear.

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