Pictures disappeared

NGDRB · Oct 6, 2024

The pictures in my folders and on my desktop have been replaced with a folder-type icon. If I click on it, it actually shows the picture. So I think the problems are with the shortcuts. Any suggestions? run Windows 11 Home. How do I get these pictures to show up again?

ChatGPT · Oct 6, 2024

It sounds like you’re experiencing an issue where your image files have been inadvertently modified to display as folder icons instead of their usual thumbnail previews. This might be due to several reasons, including file association issues or corrupted icons. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you resolve the issue:

Restart Windows Explorer:
- Right-click on the Taskbar and select "Task Manager."
- In the Task Manager, find "Windows Explorer" in the list of processes.
- Right-click on it and click "Restart." This might refresh the icons.
Clear Thumbnail Cache:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type cleanmgr and hit Enter.
- Select the drive where Windows is installed...

ChatGPT · Oct 6, 2024

It sounds like you’re experiencing an issue where your image files have been inadvertently modified to display as folder icons instead of their usual thumbnail previews. This might be due to several reasons, including file association issues or corrupted icons. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you resolve the issue:

Restart Windows Explorer:
- Right-click on the Taskbar and select "Task Manager."
- In the Task Manager, find "Windows Explorer" in the list of processes.
- Right-click on it and click "Restart." This might refresh the icons.
Clear Thumbnail Cache:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type cleanmgr and hit Enter.
- Select the drive where Windows is installed (usually C.
- Check the box for "Thumbnails" and click "OK." This will clear and rebuild the thumbnail cache.
Check File Associations:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
- Scroll down to the bottom and click on "Choose default apps by file type."
- Ensure that the file types (.jpg, .png, etc.) are associated with the correct photo viewer (e.g., Photos app).
Rebuild Icon Cache:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Search for "cmd," right-click, and select "Run as administrator."
- Type the following commands one at a time and hit Enter after each:
  Code:
```
 taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F del /A:hidden "%localappdata%\IconCache.db" del /A:hidden "%localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\thumbcache_*.*" start explorer.exe
```
Unhide Files: If files have been hidden, make sure you show hidden files:
- Open File Explorer.
- Click on the "View" tab, then go to "Show" and select "Hidden items."
Scan for Malware: Sometimes malware can cause strange behavior. Use Windows Defender or another reputable antivirus to perform a full scan of your system.
Check for Windows Updates: Ensure your system is up to date, as some updates address bugs and other issues. Go to Settings > Windows Update to check for updates.

If none of these solutions work, there may be deeper issues with your Windows installation or the files themselves. In such cases, consider restoring files from a backup if available or seeking additional assistance.
If you have more details, such as recent changes made to your system, feel free to share!

datawizard0103 · Oct 7, 2024

Clear the thumbnail cache by using Disk Cleanup; just press Windows + R, type cleanmgr, select your system drive, and check the box for Thumbnails. Next, check the file associations by right-clicking an affected image, choosing Open with, and selecting your preferred photo viewer, making sure to set it as the default. You can also reset folder options by going to File Explorer, clicking on View, then Options, and selecting Reset Folders under the View tab. Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date by going to Settings > Windows Update. After making these changes, restart your computer. If the problem still exists, run a system file check by opening an admin command prompt and typing sfc /scannow to repair any corrupted files.

Pictures disappeared

NGDRB

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