Windows Preview thumbnails are gone.

Windows Preview thumbnails are gone. All I get when moving mouse pointer
along taskbar is a description.

Check to see that Windows Aero is still selected. Right click on the desk top
and select Personalize, then Windows color and appearance, then Open classic
appearance properties..

some programs nock it out of arrow for compatibility and sometimes they
don't bring it back.

Right-click the Taskbar and choose Properties. On the Taskbar tab, make
sure "Show windows previews" has a checkmark. (Apply, OK).

But it is grayed out. It used to show the thumbnails, but stopped. I am not
sure why. Something I installed???

But my option is grayed out. Yesterday, it was showing the thumbnails.

I have the same problem as you describe and I see that you have not solved
it yet, or hav e you? I am so disappointed with Vista! All the4 goodies of XP
are gone.

hi im havin the same problem can any1 please tell me wot to do as im a pc
idiot just got brand new laptop and the thumbnails dont cum up anymore iv
tried all the solutions above but none work plz help

I just had the same problem, go here and do as it says, but just uncheck the
box!!

The thumbnail box is grayed and I cant choose it.

I followed the steps on the link in one of the post below(oragnize/folder
options/etc..) to uncheck the only show icons but it is already unchecked.

How else can I fix this?

I would have to say an enormous thank you. You have NO IDEA how crazy this
drove me and a customer service rep. for two hours trying to "find" my
thumbnails. The area in the taskbar to select this option was greyed out, so
I tried using the Windows Aero and it fixed it.

At 10:53 at night, I stayed up just to say, "Thank-You".

I've been have the very same problem. I created a new account and the
thumbnails work fine on the new account just as they did at one time on my
main account. I've tried all the fixes I could find but nothing worked.

hello, i have the same problem but the difference is i can't see my taskbar
menu w/ the start menu even my desktop icons are gone.

I also have the same problem. I've already done what was mentioned
(clicking use icons instead of thumbnails) but it still not resolved.

So, just for background purposes in My Pictures folder, everything has
the generic blue mountain/lake thing instead of a little preview of the
picture. Its really frustrating having to open every picture just to see
what it is. :(

How do I get it back to the way it was with the little preview
thumbnail?

This may have happened because I installed Nero8, but I'm not so sure
if thats the cause to be honest.

Not sure if sequence has played any part but....I first followed Paul B's
advice"Check to see that Windows Aero is still selected. Right click on the
desk top and select Personalize, then Windows color and appearance, then
select classic appearance properties."

This did not 'ungrey' the option, so I then went to the link sugessted by
and did the opposite, as suggested, and all the thumbnails apeared. The
desktop righ-click option still shows as greyed, but as it has worked it
doesn't matter.

To be able to use some features of Vista your computer needs to have a
certain performance score. To check your computer's performance score
click start, control panel (control panel home view), click on system
and maintenance, then click on performance and information tools. On
this screen you will be able to update your computers performance score.
To run the feature of the thumbnail previews your computer score has to
be 2.8 or higher. Click on update my score. After several minutes your
score will be displayed. Restart your computer. After startup right
click on your display background. Go to personalize, click on window
color and appearance. Here you may have to click on "Open classic
appearance for more color options." When the new window appears make
sure that the Windows Aero color scheme is selected. Close out of all
windows. Right click the taskbar and go to properties and you should be
able to check the box for show window previews (thumbnails). Hope this
helps!

Ok, it took me a while but I figured out the problem. I could not see my thumbnails anymore and my "Show window previews (thumbnails)" was greyed out. Here is how i fixed mine...

-Click on your start menu and type in "services" in the search box
-Open up the first "Services" you see which should have a cogwheel next to it
-Scroll down to "Desktop Window Manager Session Manager", the "Status" should show "started" which mine did not.
-If yours doesn't either, right click the "Desktop Window Manaher Session Manager" and click on "Start"
-If start is greyed out, click on "Properties" and then change the "Startup Type" to "Automatic" then click "ok".
-Now, right click the "Desktop Window Manaher Session Manager" and click on "Start"
You should now both have Aero working again and be able to see your thumbnails for your taskbar again.
If not, make sure they are still checked when you right click the taskbar, properties, "Show Window Preview (thumbnails)"

I hope this helped.