File Explorer in Windows 11 is only showing icons; no thumbnails for previews

[debk]

Hi!
I’m hoping someone else has been through this already and can recommend the actual ‘fix’, LOL. I don’t think it’s a Sketchup Pro problem.
I had maxed the storage space on my PC about 6 months ago, and everything went bonkers - heck it was barely running, until I fixed the storage problem. Apparently, Windows removes thumbnails as irrelevant to help save space. The PC is repaired, but I can’t get the .skP thumbnails to show in File Explorer again - the .skB (backup) files do show though {shrug}. Most of the repair suggestions include updating the “default app” (opens with), so, I thought, well, I’ll set the default to skp same as skb, right? … but, when searching, I cannot find that file anywhere, which windows calls “Sketchup Application” as shown without an icon. Windows shows .skP files opening with “Sketchup 2024” with an icon.
Maybe can you tell me which file I should be selecting for defaults instead?
Note: I have also re-installed SketchupPro.
SketchupPro is the only program I have without functioning thumbnails.

I hope I explained this problem well-enough.
TIA

[DanRathbun]

Set SKP filetype to open with:
"%ProgramFiles%/SketchUp/SketchUp 2024/SketchUp.exe"

If the thumbnail DLL is not correctly showing thumbnails, reboot the machine if you ran SketchUp this session, then (with SketchUp closed) rerun the SketchUp installer by right-clicking it > Run as administrator, then choose the Repair option.

[debk]

Thanks very much. That is the file I’ve selected. Going to try to the repair option now, will advise.

[debk]

Repairing via the installer didn’t work.

[debk]

Example from File Explorer window. The thumbnail on the right is the skp; next to it is the skb.

[DanRathbun]

In the Model Info dialog for your model (and all templates that you use,) is the File panels’ Redefine thumbnail on save checked?

@debk

I’m hoping someone else has been through this already …

There have been others that reported this issue. It usually is a mixup in the registry settings. I’ve not encountered it myself in a long time.

I was hoping that the install Repair would fix the registry setting involving the thumbnailer.

[debk]

Redefine thumbnail on save, is checked. Thanks so much for helping me try to solve this.

[DanRathbun]

You might see these topic threads …

SketchUp 2016 Thumbnail Preview

Hi @VahePaulman, As a troubleshooting step, could you check the following Windows Explorer option: Alaways show icons, never thumbnails If it is set, try unchecking it. You might have to reboot and/or open the SketchUp file once for the thumbnail to finally appear. If not, there might another software setting taking precedance (like ClassicShell for instance, if you have that installed) [image] Good luck

… and …

SketchUp 2021 Files Don't Display as Thumbnails

I had the same issue and solved it. I hope this may help others. The issue is related to the operative system not being able to extract existing data. In my case, Windows 10 simply refused displaying individiual thumbnails for Sketchup 2021 files. I had hundreds of Sketchup files whose thumbnails showed only the generic blue Sketchup logotype. All other Sketchup year versions’ file thumbnails worked well, even if saved from Sketchup 2021. Up till now, I had never seen a Sketchup 2021 file thum…

[ateliernab]

@debk

Example from File Explorer window. The thumbnail on the right is the skB; next to it is the skP.

wait, skb on the right, skp on the left ?
then the skp is fine. it shows a thumbnail. the skb shouldn’t even show a sketchup icon. you don’t need to link the skb to sketchup. if you need to open it, just rename it to skp.

[debk]

Sorry, not it’s otherwise. skb on left. skp on right. I’ll edit that. TY

[ivanjones]

I believe this is a windows issue and has little to do with sketchup. Ive had it happen the same as you where the .SKP has no thumbnail and the .SKB does but Ive also had the problem with PDF and other file types. I did a windows search on the issue and if I remember correctly its an folder options setting in windows file manager. Pick the three dots in the header and select options.

[debk]

Thanks again to those who’ve tried to help.

I’ve reviewed everything mentioned in this thread, and in the shared previous topic threads. I’ve tried everything except the regedit, (only because I’m afraid of that. LOL).

I hope the developers will come along and see this, and offer solution.

It’s so frustrating to have to open every single skp file to see what it is. For the files I’ve already gone through, I’m saving their skb’s so I can at least have those.

[tweenulzeven]

@debk

It’s so frustrating to have to open every single skp file to see what it is.

Aren’t you giving them meaningful names then??

[debk]

As best I can, yes, but can only type so much detail. I suppose I could keep a separate log. LOL

[ivanjones]

I can assure you it isnt a sketchup issue. A google search will give you many solutions like this one. Reddit - Dive into anything You might have to reboot and clear history or cashe.

[DanRathbun]

Yeah, I’ve never used OneDrive. Found it problematic in many older Windows versions. I must have uninstalled it from Windows 10 before I updated to Windows 11. I know I’ve also had issues with DropBox and had uninstalled that as well.
Anyway, I’ve not had any problems with the SketchUp ThumbsUp DLL working on this (now Win 11) computer.

[ivanjones]

I dont use one drive either. I posted that link because if I remember correctly the clearing of the thumbnail cache was the fix for me.