Question Win10Explorer thumbnails how NOT to cancel

[bluenitepk]

Every time I restart pc and open the folder in thumbnails mode, these are still generated. Even on a fast computer this takes quite a bit of time. Is there any way, in settings or otherwise, to make the previews stay there forever?
The OS deletes them and I haven't found a way to prevent it from doing so.
Thanks for the advice
Peter

 

[Ralston18]

My sense is that you are not saving the desired view.

If you do not want to see thumbnail icons the you probably want to use List, Details, or Tiles

Overall there are quite a number of ways to control how the arrangement and hierarchy of folders, subfolders, and files is presented.

When you go into File Explorer and select the View tab what Layout is selected?

Then over to the right there should be small square labeled "Options" with a very small downward pointing triangle.

However the "Options" square could located a bit differently and not necessarily to the far right. If you click the Options square you should be presented with a menu item "Change folder and search options". Clicking that menu item should, in turn, open a 3 tab Folder options window.

Under the View tab you will find quite a number of options regarding how to display folders and files.

Explore first but make no immediate changes. If you try things and not like the results - then cancel and try again.

When you are able to obtain or otherwise configure the required/desired view be sure to Apply and/or Ok the view.

Be very aware of where you are in the drives, folders, and sub-folders. Views can be configured to move down through the hierarchy of folders and files.

Again explore first. Set up a test folder containing 3 or 4 test sub-folders. Copy in expendable files and then experiment within the test folder and sub-folders.

As always be sure, as you should be doing anyway, that all important data is backed up at least 2 x to locations away from the current host computer.

 

[bluenitepk]

Hi Ralston18,
I can assure you that I experimented with the explorer options first. As you describe.
I don't want to bother you here with blonde question type "how come it doesn't work..." ? I'm a long time windows pc user, I know their problems since the first versions. Nothing against blondes... ;-)

I'm sending a 3screens for better information, also with the settings of this dialog as they are now.
In principle, I'd like it to not create thumbnails every time the pc restarts, as it does now, but use the ones already saved.

I want to point out that this happens mainly with pdf files, which I have quite a lot of (books, documents, journals).
But it also does it with other formats (jpg/office/psd and others). The problem is just that it doesn't do it systematically, once it does, once it doesn't.

I have the feeling that since some time, after the continuous updates of MS Edge, which took over the display of pdf thumbnails from AcrobatReader, with it happening even more chaotically. It's not easy to assign the pdf file association to someone else.

 

[Ralston18]

An immediate question/concern:

Are you sure that the names and/or associated icons on the files are not at risk of revealing any personally identifying information?

If that is a risk then the screens should be deleted.

= = = =

Regarding:

"In principle, I'd like it to not create thumbnails every time the pc restarts, as it does now, but use the ones already saved. "

The desired format being the second screen with more "custom" file icons - correct?

Not sure about your general process for establishing and creating icons.

However: does checking "Always show icons, never thumbnails" eventually start making a difference?

Reference:

https://www.winability.com/how-to-stop-windows-from-using-contents-preview-icons-for-folders/

Here another link that may be of interest:

https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/change-default-icon-file-type-windows/

Do not do any registry editing - that is a last resort and only to be considered/attempted after a full system backup including the Registry itself.

Method 2 and Method 3 may be more promising. Again: work in a test environment where, if things go astray, you can simply delete the affected folders and files and try again.

Key being to find a method that fits in with or is otherwise suitable for you current file management requirements. Or otherwise can be fitted in without too much complication and effort.

Again - stay out of the Registry. There may be other means to ensure that the folder and file icons remain fixed.