changing desktop and folder icons to display photo thumbnails

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  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 7
       #1

    changing desktop and folder icons to display photo thumbnails


    Hello! All my mp4 and wmv video icons on my desktop and folders suddenly changed from convenient photo thumbnails to generic mp4 and wmv icons. The photos enable me to identify the vids, especially if there are no captions for them.

    How do I get the photo icons back? I considered system restore, but my restore points don't go back far enough.

    Using Windows 7. Thanks for your assistance!


    pman59
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #2

    Welcome to the Seven Forums

    First check to see if you have Thumbnails enabled Thumbnail Previews - Enable or Disable

    Jerry
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Jerry,

    Thanks for your reply. Yes, I do have thumbnails enabled, but it doesn't help at all. Still need a fix for this annoying problem. Thanks again!


    pman59
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #4

    Did you make sure they were enabled in both Folder Options and Visual Effects?

    You might want to Thumbnail Cache - Clear and Reset

    If the above does not work post a couple of screenshots showing the icons.
    Use these tutorials for posting screenshots.
    Screenshot with Paint
    How to Use the Snipping Tool in Vista - Vista Forums
    Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

    Jerry
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks, Jerry. I did have the thumbnails enabled in Folder Options. But how do I do that in Visual Effects?

    Thanks again!

    pman59
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #6

    Option two in this Thumbnail Previews - Enable or Disable

    Jerry
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Tried the Visual Effects route, but it didn't work either. Here are the screenshots of the generic icons that have replaced the photo thumbnails on my desktop and my folders:

    changing desktop and folder icons to display photo thumbnails-mp4-icon.jpgchanging desktop and folder icons to display photo thumbnails-mp4-icon.jpg

    changing desktop and folder icons to display photo thumbnails-wmv-icon.jpgchanging desktop and folder icons to display photo thumbnails-wmv-icon.jpg
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #8

    Try going to Folder Options and Visual Effects and toggle on and off the thumbnails settings clicking on the Apply button after each change (do this two or three times on both folder options and visual effects).

    When done your settings should look like what I have highlighted in red below.
    changing desktop and folder icons to display photo thumbnails-capture.png

    Did you ever do this? Thumbnail Cache - Clear and Reset

    Do Option 2 of this tutorial SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker it will not harm any data or programs you have installed it will try to find and repair any corrupt system files that you have.

    Jerry
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Well, Jerry, I've tried all of your suggestions (much appreciated, by the way), but the problem remains.

    Could it be that my computer has replaced all the mp4 and wmv photo thumbnails with generic icons in an effort to save RAM? My machine holds 16GB of memory, its full capacity.

    Thanks again for your assistance!

    pman59
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 12,120
    Win 7 Pro x64 / Win 10 Pro
       #10

    If you got 16 GB of RAM I'm sure that's not causing any problems.

    Try Icon Cache - Rebuild

    You could try this program sagethumbs - A Windows Explorer extension allowing to preview many image formats - Google Project Hosting Here's the download page Downloads - sagethumbs - A Windows Explorer extension allowing to preview many image formats - Google Project Hosting

    I use the above program so you can be assured it's okay to use.

    Jerry
      My Computer


 
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