Solved changing desktop and folder icons to display photo thumbnails

[pman59]

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

 

[Bongo]

Welcome to the Seven Forums

First check to see if you have Thumbnails enabled http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11738-thumbnail-previews-enable-disable.html

Jerry

 

[pman59]

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

 

[Bongo]

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

You might want to http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10797-thumbnail-cache-clear-reset.html

If the above does not work post a couple of screenshots showing the icons.
Use these tutorials for posting screenshots.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9717-screenshot-paint.html
How to Use the Snipping Tool in Vista - Vista Forums
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

Jerry

 

[pman59]

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

Thanks again!

pman59

 

[Bongo]

Option two in this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11738-thumbnail-previews-enable-disable.html

Jerry

 

[pman59]

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:

 

[Bongo]

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.


Did you ever do this? http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10797-thumbnail-cache-clear-reset.html

Do Option 2 of this tutorial http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html 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

 

[pman59]

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

 

[Bongo]

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

Try http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/49819-icon-cache-rebuild.html

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

 

[pman59]

Hey Jerry! The Icon Cache Rebuild worked!! I watched in childlike glee as all of my mp4 and wmv video icon thumbnails were rapidly restored!

Now I'll create a Restore Point for my machine in case this occurs again.

Thank you so much!! You have truly made my week!!!

pman59

 

[Bongo]

You're Welcome, that's good to hear you got it fixed.