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Windows Explorer no longer shows video previews in Windows 7

Anonymous
2010-06-27T23:21:25+00:00

I run a 64 bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium. I know that it used to show a preview of all videos in the thumbnail, but now for some reason I only get the file type icon in the Windows Explorer view. Even when I select the file, there is no preview in the detail bar at the bottom. I only get previews for .mov and .mp4, but I no longer get them for .flv, .avi, or .wmv.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-06-28T14:35:15+00:00

    Hi,

    Step 1: We suggest that you cross check if the option "Show thumbnails instead of icons" is selected on the computer.

    a. Click Start, click Control Panel. (Classic View)

    b. Click on the System icon.

    c. Click on the advanced system settings link.

    d. Under Performance, click on the Settings button.

    e. In the Visual Effects tab, Check "Show thumbnails instead of icons"

    f. Apply the changes, restart the computer and check if the issue persists.

    Step 2: This problem also occurs because Windows may not update the thumbnail cache.

    To resolve this problem, reset the thumbnail cache. To do this, follow these steps:

    a. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.

    b. If you are prompted, click My files only.

    c. In the Files to delete list, click to select Thumbnails.

    Note: Configure other options that you want.

    d. Click OK, and then click Delete files.

    e. Restart the computer and check the result.

    Step 3: If the issue persists, run sfc (system file checker) scan to scan and fix missing or corrupt system files

    See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

    NOTE: Sometimes non Microsoft media players may cause this issue. Disable them and check the result. Performing clean boot is like disabling non Microsoft programs.

    See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    Regards,

    Syed - Microsoft Support.

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-07-03T22:00:57+00:00

    jad******@hotmail.com

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-07-03T21:43:07+00:00

    Hello,

    The previsualisation system in explorer is based mostly on the default program defined for the file you want to preview. After installing VLC, this one made itself as the default program for videos. So the problem is that VLC is not able to make a preview in the previsualisation pane in explorer. So either you reset WMP as the default player for video files, either VLC developers make previsualisation possible when installed on windows OS.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-07-11T11:25:30+00:00

    Hi,

    You're most welcome. It was nice assisting you. Reinstalling Windows and other programs would have consumed a lot of time. Glad to know that everything is working fine now.

    Regards,

    Syed - Microsoft Support.

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-07-11T00:46:03+00:00

    Thanks for the response, however I decided to format computer, which solved that and a few other problems.

    I can say that error occurred a little after I installed VLC media player onto my laptop.

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