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
    2019-02-10T00:07:54+00:00

    Hi, i've tested changing back to Windows 10 Photos and the thumbnails in explorer disappear again. Switching back to photo viewer and the thumbnails are rebuilding and stay visible in explorer. 

    Thanks for testing and confirming!

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-02-09T12:05:34+00:00

    Hi, i've tested changing back to Windows 10 Photos and the thumbnails in explorer disappear again. Switching back to photo viewer and the thumbnails are rebuilding and stay visible in explorer.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-07-18T15:38:03+00:00

    To those fiddling with uninstalling/reinstalling OneDrive... can't find it? Look here: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\OneDrive ...same as C:\Users[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive ...or similar.

    I don't think you can entirely get rid of it on Windows 10... Try what I suggest.  Run Onedrive (from the above folder if necessary), deselect problem folder, wait for the folders to disappear, select them and re-sync.  I'm pretty sure OneDrive is screwing up a file/folder permission somewhere.  De-syncing OneDrive removes the problem.

    And yeah, I tried Icaros.  It half-worked.  You shouldn't need a 3rd-party program...

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-12-06T04:49:18+00:00

    That didn't seem to help either. I only noticed the issue today, it could've been going on a little longer though, only for a day or two at most. I haven't even updated any drivers since then.

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