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
    2018-02-09T19:39:17+00:00

    This has been bugging me for a couple of weeks, I've also found that any folders in One drive are tragically slow compared to others.

    I found initially that pausing One Drive sync sped up folder use but not if I was making changes so I guess something is storing a growing list of changes, but then as if by magic when I resume syncing all of my pictures reappear as they should.

    So I can sync and have really slow drives all the time or not sync and have drives that appear to get slower gradually. 

    Come on Microsoft there is no good excuse for One drive performing this badly.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-02-10T21:34:02+00:00

    I'm having this issue too

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-02-16T00:31:30+00:00

    I'm constantly losing all thumbnails from all my drives and I have 12 drives and thousands of pictures so it is *REALLY* frustrating. 

    For me this is not an OneDrive issue.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-02-17T04:02:23+00:00

    Hi Marcus,

    Based on the information that you've provided, you were also having an issue with the thumbnails from all of your drives. This can be related to a system conflict caused by broken or corrupted files. To isolate your concern, we'd like to ask the following:

    • Which build version of Windows is on your computer? To check, click Start, type winver, and press Enter. For example, 14393.1066.
    • Have you made any recent changes prior to the issue?

    In the meantime, we recommend that you check and install the latest updates. To check for updates now, select the Start button, and then go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update, and select Check for updates. If Windows Update says your device is up to date, you have all the updates that are currently available.

    We'll be looking forward to your response.

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