Issues with Windows image thumbnails

Issue

Issues with Windows image thumbnails.

Cause

Issues arise with the Windows 98, ME, and 2000 image thumbnails when a third-party image program is installed and that program changes the association of image files on your hard drive. Below we have listed issues and solutions to those issues relating to the Windows 98 image thumbnails and quick view.

Additional information

Thumbnail view allows users of Windows 98, Windows 2000 and Windows ME to view images and HTML documents. Below is a listing of compatible images that Windows can show by default.

*.BMP
*.GIF
*.JPG, *.JPEG
*HTM, *.HTML

Solution

How to enable Thumbnail view

right-click on the folder or drive you wish to enable Thumbnail view on, click properties and choose the option to enable thumbnail view.

Thumbnail view is enabled but unable to see some or all of the compatible images or HTML documents

The below steps require you to enter the computer registry. Before following these steps we highly recommend you become aware of what the registry is and its precautions to prevent additional issues with your computer. Additional information about the registry can be found on our registry page.

To resolve this issue click Start, run, and type the below command.

regedit <press enter> (for Windows 98 and ME users).
regedt32 <press enter> (for Windows 2000 users).

Once in the system registry ensure that the below key value exist in the registry.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\<file type>\ShellEx\

Within each of these keys verify that the below value exists.

(default)   =   "{7376D660-C583-11d0-A3A5-00C04FD706EC}"

If this value does not exist create it by following the below steps:

  1. Within the key that the registry value does not exist click Edit, New, and then String value.
  2. For New Value #1 Type (default)
  3. For the data copy the below bold text and paste it into your registry.

    {7376D660-C583-11d0-A3A5-00C04FD706EC}

Unable to see animated Gif's

Animated Gif's images will only display the first frame of the picture and will not be animated.

Unable to see some JPEG files

It is possible for JPEG (.JPG or .JPEG) to be created in four-channel, CMYK color format. Windows is only able to display .jpg files that are in three-channel RPG.

If you're unable to see any .JPG images the extension may be corrupt and may need to added into the registry. Windows 2000 users can add the below registry value if not already existing.

Open the registry by running the regedit command and move the below registry directory.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.jpg\ShellEx\

Next, move into the below directory if it exists.  If this directory does not exist create a folder with the below name.

{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}

Once in the above directory. Click Edit, New, and click String Value. Double-click the new string and enter the below value.

{7376D660-C583-11d0-A3A5-00C04FD706EC}

Finally, highlight the string, click Edit, and click rename and rename the string to "(Default)."