Picture previews won't show

[Scrappnmom]

I have a new HP laptop computer, using Windows 8. Just in the past week, I can no longer see my picture previews when I open my picture folders. They are just plain white icons, instead of showing my pictures. I have read some of the common posts, on here about this problem and still can't fix the problem! I did go to the control panel and check the "view" settings, and found that the option "Always show icons, never thumbnails" was not checked. I also already have it set to show large thumbnails, but tried to click to change that setting and I can't change it. The View settings are gray and I can't even click on them to try to reset it! What can I do to be able to see my pictures again, besides just clicking on each one individually?

[Great-Deku-Tree]

Hello @Scrappnmom ,

Welcome to the HP Forums!

I understand the picture thumbnails are not displayed in File Explorer on your notebook.

If the issue just started the easiest solution would be to restore to a recent point but before the issue started. This will not delete or remove any of your files but will revert changes to Windows and uninstall any Windows updates or installed software.

Can you please tell me what the default program for your picture files are (Windows Photo Viewer, Paint, Photos App, PhotoShop, etc...) and what format the pictures are saved in? (JPG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PNG, etc...)

If the default program is not Windows Photo Viewer please try changing it by right clicking a picture > open with > choose default program and choose Windows Photo Viewer. Make sure the checkbox at the top is checked to set it as the default for the appropriate file type. I don't intend for this to be a solution but to help identify the source of the issue.

I look forward to your reply! 🙂

[Scrappnmom]

Well, I have been using Picasa Photo viewer, but, I tried switching it to Windows Photo Viewer. Now, some of my pictures are showing up, but Not all of them! It's still not fixed! I save my pics as jpg files.help!

[Great-Deku-Tree]

Hey Scrappnmom,

If changing the default program worked for some thumbnails we know the issue must be related to the way the files are opened or saved. There are multiple types of image files, and multiple types of encoding for each of those.

Try changing the default program for the files still not showing the thumbnails to Windows Photo Viewer and tell me if it works.

Also are these files saved locally or on the HDD with Windows?

Thanks! 🙂

[Scrappnmom]

I tried clicking on some of the pictures still not showing and changed it to Windows Photo Viewer and they still don't show! I don't understand what your last question means!? What is HDD?

[Great-Deku-Tree]

Hey Scrappnmom,

HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive. What I'm asking is if the files are saved on your computer or if they are saved on an external hard drive, flash drive or network storage device.

🙂

[Scrappnmom]

Oh, duh! They are saved on my hard drive! I am not literate with computers!

[Great-Deku-Tree]

Hey Scrappnmom,

Thanks for the info. 🙂

Try right-clicking on the folder that contains your images. Select Properties and go to the Customize tab. Change the dropdown at the top to Pictures and click OK.

There are also 2 different spots that can disable thumbnails. You can see how to edit both of them here: Thumbnail Previews Not Showing in Windows 8 Explorer?

After you've confirmed both of those are unchecked try this:

1. Press Windows Key + R.
2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK.
3. Go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar.
4. Locate Turn off Taskbar Thumbnails in right pane of Group policy editor and double click on it.
5. Select Disable and click on Apply and then on OK.

Let me know if that helps!

[Scrappnmom]

There is no customize tab!

[Great-Deku-Tree]

Hey Scrappnmom,

Did you try the other fixes?

Sounds like your selecting the Library folder and not the actual folder the pictures are saved in. Libraries can get confusing so I'll try to explain. The Libraries of Windows aren't real locations. They work as a form of centralized access to other locations containing similar file types. For example: The Pictures Library can consist of your C:\...\Pictures folder along with C:\...\Desktop\Summer Vacation Pictures folders to make it seem like they're in the same spot even though they really aren't.

You can follow this guide to find and manage the folders that direct to your Pictures library: How to Manage a Windows 8 Library’s Folders. In step 1 you will see a screenshot showing you the properties window of the library. This will show you the folders it is accessing. You will also see in the second screenshot you can optimize the library for a certain file type.

Hopefully that helps.