Windows 7: No thumbnails on desktop for PDF's and Docx

Using Windows 7 RTM Ultimate x64, (2) Nvidia 250 GTS SLI. I always dump PDF's and docs on my desktop. I use the large icons. At first the thumbnails worked perfectly for PDF's and Docs, as they did in Vista..... nice large thumbnails of the PDF's and documents. Initially they didn't show up... but after a couple of reboots... they were there. After two days, they are all gone again. Oddly, my JPG's still show their thumbnails.

I have absolutely no idea what changed. I have tried all the settings I can find and they seem to be correct (especially since my JPG's display). Yes, I have added programs and tweaked a few things, but nothing that should have affected the thumbnails. I am using the latest Nvidia driver (190.56). I have a couple other Windows 7 machines and they also seem to afflicted with the issue.

Any suggestions would be appreciated! I need my thumbnails back

Charlie

Why ???

I’ve noticed that the Thumbnails of pdf’s have been changing as Adobe updates reader…
or I get different versions of Windows 7.

But it makes no sense to me to show a Thumbnail of a pdf or a doc file in place of an Icon on the desktop.

If you have a Thumbnail of the contents of a pdf or a doc file for an Icon on the Desktop
How can you tell it’s not an Image file ??

I’m not sure, but I think adobe is trying to fix a problem that Vista > Windows 7 shouldn’t be having in the first place.

I am not sure I understand what you are asking.

If it is in fact just an Adobe issue, then that doesn't explain why the docx and doc files don't display the thumbnails. As I said, all JPGs display thumbnails perfectly.

All PDF and Word thumbnails have a small overlay in the lower right corner that identifies them as PDF, Word, etc. (at least they did) "Try it, you'll like it" as they say.

Do I believe this is a Windows issue? YES. I am looking for some corroberation.... that is all.

It seems to me that M$ has forgot there's a difference in the purpose for ..
(and the display of) .. Icons and Thumbnails.
If they think Thumbnails are good Icons .. Why don't they show Thumbnails for all image file types ??

They should have at least given us the choice to display Icons or Thumbnails on the Desktop.

Not being able to see Icons on my desktop is the biggest reason why I can't work in Vista or Windows 7.
I can't see what I have or want to work with .. easily

My newest Windows 7 install .. The pdf's have been changed back to an Icon.
and doc or docx seem to be undecided at this point.

I have found this to be a little hit & miss with the last few variations (OS/Reader/Office)

I know there are issues with Reader and PDF thumbnails when you install other adobe products such as photoshop and there is a lot of discussion on workarounds on the adobe site

The only thing I find that helps is to clear the thumbnail cache regularly, give it a try and see if it helps

I assume the cache can be cleared by changing color depth and logging off and back on or deleating the iconcache file? What do you suggest for doing this?

I am pleased to hear that it is NOT only my installations of RTM!!!

I think it's a brilliant option.

Just takes a second, to find the right file, instead of reading the filenames.

And still working with latest reader on rtm.
Also on the desktop.

You can never mistake it for a picture file since the adobe reader logo is in the lower right corner.

Attachment 23232

Ok... So what am I doing wrong? I am so jealous!! I want my thumbnails for PDFs back!!

Any ideas?

Try an older version of Adobe reader maybe ??
Now where did my animated gif file go ???

I'm trying to replicate your problem but without success...I have Acrobat Pro 8 installed on the RTM and have no problems seeing the thumbnails