Share via

Thumbnails and icons not showing up

Anonymous
2018-01-29T18:40:32+00:00

In Windows 10 I was messing around in MS Paint just for fun and I had to go somewhere, so I close my laptop lid and leave. I come back to find that all the thumbnails for downloaded images were gone, as well as the Microsoft edge, Microsoft Store, and mail icon invisible on the task bar (there is a blank space where they used to be and I can still click on them) I have no idea what to do and I have tried things such as making sure the "always show icons, never thumbnails" option in the file explorer option was unchecked. I also noticed that my laptop will often tell me that my disc space if almost full and I should delete things to empty it. Whenever I do that there is an option to delete thumbnails, saying that windows will restore them later when needed. I had never checked this option before, but I tried it, to see if they would be restored like windows said they would. Nothing happened and i'm still just seeing the icon with a blue mountain on it instead of thumbnails. I have restarted my laptop several times and tried the methods listed above many times. If anyone knows what to do please help.

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.

0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2018-01-29T18:56:59+00:00

    Try resetting your icon cache....

    To Reset Icon cache follow the below mentioned steps –

    1. Right click on empty area of the desktop and click on Personalize.
    2. Click on the Display Properties link.
    3. Under Colors, select Medium (16-bit) and click on Apply. (See screenshot below)

    NOTE: If you already have Medium (16-bit) selected, then select Highest (32-bit) instead. Sometimes you will need to do a restart first, then proceed to step 4. Try both ways.

    A) Click yes to confirm the new settings.

    1. Now, select Highest (32-bit) and click on OK.

    NOTE: If you already have Highest (32-bit) selected, then select Medium (16-bit) instead.

    A) Click on Yes to confirm the new settings.

    To Rebuild icon cache follow the below mentioned steps -

    1. Open Folder Options to select (dot) Show hidden files and folders.
    2. Open a Windows Explorer window.
    3. Go to C:\Users(User Name)\ImageAppData\Local
    4. Right click on ImageIconCache.db and click on Delete.
    5. Click on Yes to confirm the deletion.

    NOTE: This deletes the file to the Recycle Bin. It is safe to empty the Recycle Bin when finished.

    1. Close the window.
    2. Empty the Recycle Bin.
    3. Restart the computer.
    4. When you go back, you will notice the Size of the ImageIconCache.db file is smaller, and the Date Modified is now the current date. (See screenshot below)

    NOTE: If for some reason ImageIconCache.db is not there or the size has not changed much, then just restart the computer again. You may need to restart a couple of times in some cases.

    1. The icon cache has been rebuilt.

    As for your other apps...

    Edge - try repair it:

    https://www.groovypost.com/howto/reset-microsof...

    Store -

    Start by running the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.

    Open Start > Settings > Update & security > Troubleshoot

    Scroll down to the bottom

    Click Windows Store Apps

    Click Run the troubleshooter

    When complete try opening the Store again.

    Also check if the Store works in another user account.

    Press Windows key + R

    Type: wsreset.exe

    Hit Enter

    Do this a couple times then try launching the Store again.

    Your Antivirus might be interfering with the Store, try disabling it 'temporarily' to see if it launches.

    Check Windows Update and install the latest updates. Sometimes Microsoft releases infrastructure fixes for the Store through Windows Update.

    You can also try resetting the store app using the following instructions:

    https://www.groovypost.com/howto/reset-windows-...

    If that does not work, try resetting the software distribution folder:

    Before carrying out this procedure, disconnect from the Internet. That means turning off Wi-Fi and disconnecting from a wired connection. If you don't, Windows 10 will indicate some files are in use and cannot be modified or the command will be non-responsive. Also, you should restart your computer after disconnecting from the Internet. The easiest way to do it is to enable Airplane mode from the Action Center - Windows key + A.

    1. Open Start, type: CMD

    Right click CMD

    Click Run as administrator

    Type each of the following then hit Enter

    taskkill /f /fi "SERVICES eq wuauserv"multiple times

    net stop cryptSvc

    net stop bits

    net stop msiserver

    ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

    rmdir C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore

    rmdir C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

    When complete, hit Enter, then restart, then try updating again.

    Also try:

    Run the Start menu troubleshooter:

    http://aka.ms/diag_StartMenu

    If that does not work:

    Press Windows key + X

    Click Task Manager

    Select the Processes tab

    Scroll down to Windows Explorer then select it

    Click Restart

    If that does not work:

    uninstall your display driver:

    Press Windows key + X

    Click Device Manager

    Expand Display adapters

    Right click the current display adapter

    Click Uninstall

    Exit Device Manager

    Restart

    See ways to safely free up space:

    https://www.groovypost.com/howto/maximize-stora...

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments