Windows 7 Image thumbnail cache not working

[johntsouris]

I have read the 20 or so issues from all over the internet about Windows 7 image thumbnail cache problems, this is different from all of them.

Whenever I open the pictures, videos, or any other folder, Windows takes a while to load all of the thumbnails each time. I have only 650 pictures in my Pictures Folder, and it takes 40 seconds to load all of the thumbnails. This happens each time I close and open the window. I have also erased the thumbnail cache via "C" drive disc cleanup, which one would think would cause the Pictures page to take even longer to open..... as it has to re-make the thumbnail cache.... but it is 40 seconds.

Now..... I have attempted to enable and disable thumbnail caching via registry changes. ( I want the cache on as I want to see thumbnails of images that load quickly when I open a folder.)

When I disable thumbnail caching in the registry, the pictures folder takes 40 seconds to load and the thumnail cache size according to Windows Disc "C" cleanup is a measly 3.27kb.

When I ENABLE thumbnail caching in the registry, nothing changes. Even though the thumbnail cache for 650 images should be at least a few MB, the cache size is still 3.27kb and the folder takes 40 seconds to load each time.

Now, I have no idea how to tell for sure if thumbnail caching is set to on or off, but it certainly appears that it is OFF.

There are also some blurbs on the net about not allowing the system to delete the cache file daily by not allowing system deletion of any files in the User's "Explorer" folder, thus keeping Windows from constantly erasing and re-writing the cache. I tried that, too, but it appears as if the cache isn't being created in the first place.

Anyone?

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are facing a persistent issue with Windows thumbnail caching despite attempting various solutions. Let's delve into this matter further to uncover potential reasons for the problem you are encountering. Here are a few steps we can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the thumbnail caching issue on your Windows system: 1. Verify Thumbnail Cache Settings: - Let's first check the current state of thumbnail caching on your system to confirm whether it is enabled or disabled. 2. Review Group Policy Settings: - Sometimes, Group Policy settings can override manual registry changes. We can check the Group Policy settings related to thumbnail caching to ensure they align with your desired configuration. 3. Check Disk Cleanup Tool: - The Disk Cleanup tool might not accurately reflect the actual size of the thumbnail cache. We can explore alternative methods to verify the size of the thumbnail cache. 4. Investigate File Permissions: - Ensure that the system has the necessary permissions to create and maintain the thumbnail cache files. Incorrect file permissions could hinder the creation and utilization of the cache. 5. Monitor Cache Creation: - We can monitor the folder where the thumbnail cache is supposed to be stored to see if Windows is actually creating and using the cache files. Would you like to proceed with these troubleshooting steps to get a clearer understanding of the thumbnail caching issue on your Windows 7 system? Let's start by checking the current status of thumbnail caching.