In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps to restore the thumbnail cache in Windows 11, ensuring that your files are displayed correctly and efficiently.
To begin with, here is a quick step guide to restore thumbnail cache in Windows 11:
- Press Win + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter.
- Choose the drive where your system is installed (usually C:).
- In the list of files to delete, check the “Thumbnails” box.
- Click “OK” and then “Delete Files”.
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
However, as this is just one method and overview of steps, we encourage you to read the blog further to learn about more effective methods.
Additionally, you’ll find detailed step-by-step instructions for each method to restore thumbnail cache in Windows 11.
How to restore thumbnail cache in Windows 11 ?
Restoring the thumbnail cache in Windows 11 can help resolve issues with missing or corrupted thumbnails. Here are several methods to restore the thumbnail cache, along with detailed steps for each:
Method 1: Clear and Rebuild Thumbnail Cache Using Disk Cleanup
Open Disk Cleanup:
- Firstly, press Windows + S to open the search bar.
- Then, type “Disk Cleanup” and select the Disk Cleanup app from the results.
Select the Drive:
- Next, choose the drive where Windows is installed (usually C:) and click OK.
Select Thumbnail Cache:
- Once in the Disk Cleanup window, look for the option labeled “Thumbnails.”
- Subsequently, check the box next to “Thumbnails.”
Clean Up:
- Afterwards, click on OK and then confirm by clicking Delete Files in the prompt that appears.
- As a result, this will clear the existing thumbnail cache.
Rebuild the Cache:
- Finally, Windows will automatically rebuild the thumbnail cache the next time you open a folder with images or videos.
Method 2: Manually Delete Thumbnail Cache Files
Open File Explorer:
- First, press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
Navigate to the Thumbnail Cache Location:
- Next, in the address bar, type the following path and press Enter: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
Delete Thumbnail Cache Files:
- Then, look for files that start with thumbcache_ and iconcache_.
- Select these files and press Delete on your keyboard.
Restart Windows Explorer:
- After that, right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
- Find Windows Explorer in the list, right-click it, and select Restart.
Rebuild the Cache:
- Lastly, open a folder with images or videos to allow Windows to rebuild the thumbnail cache.
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Method 3: Use Command Prompt to Clear Thumbnail Cache
Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
- To begin, press Windows + S, type “cmd,” right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Execute the Command:
- Next, type the following command and press Enter: del /f /q %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\thumbcache_*.db
- This command will delete all thumbnail cache database files.
Restart Windows Explorer:
- Then, as mentioned in Method 2, restart Windows Explorer through Task Manager.
Rebuild the Cache:
- Finally, open a folder with images or videos to allow Windows to rebuild the thumbnail cache.
Method 4: Adjust Folder Options
Open File Explorer:
- First, press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
Access Folder Options:
- Next, click on the three dots in the toolbar and select Options.
Change View Settings:
- Then, in the Folder Options window, go to the View tab.
- Ensure that “Always show icons, never thumbnails” is unchecked.
Apply Changes:
- After that, click Apply, then OK.
Rebuild the Cache:
- In last, open a folder with images or videos to allow Windows to rebuild the thumbnail cache.
Method 5: Use System File Checker (SFC)
Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
- To start, press Windows + S, type “cmd,” right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Run SFC Scan:
- Next, type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
- This command will scan for and repair any corrupted system files, which may include issues affecting the thumbnail cache.
Restart Your Computer:
- After the scan completes, restart your computer.
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Method 6: Using a BAT File
Create a BAT File:
- First, open Notepad and paste the following code:
- @echo off
- taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
- timeout 2 /nobreak>nul
- del /f /s /q /a %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\thumbcache_*.db
- timeout 2 /nobreak>nul
- start explorer.exe
Save and Run the BAT File:
- Next, save the file with a .bat extension (e.g., ClearThumbnailCache.bat).
- Then, right-click the file and select Run as administrator.
How to rebuild icon cache in windows 11 ?
Rebuilding the icon cache in Windows 11 can help resolve issues with missing or corrupted icons. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to rebuild the icon cache:
Method 1: Using Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
- Firstly, press Win + X and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)”.
Run Commands:
- Then, paste the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
- cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
- attrib -h iconcache_*
- del iconcache_*
- start explorer
Method 2: Manual Deletion
Show Hidden Files:
- to begin, open File Explorer, go to the “View” tab, and check “Hidden items”.
Navigate to Icon Cache Folder:
- Next, go to C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer.
Delete Icon Cache Files:
- After that, delete all files starting with “iconcache“.
Restart Explorer:
- Next, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Finally, find “Windows Explorer” in the Processes tab, right-click, and select “Restart”.
Important Notes
- Backup: While unlikely, creating a system restore point before making changes is always recommended.
- Restart: After rebuilding the icon cache, it’s usually necessary to restart your computer for the changes to take effect fully.
- Icon Regeneration: It might take some time for icons to regenerate after rebuilding the cache.
By following these steps, you should successfully rebuild the icon cache and resolve any related issues.
Also Check: What are the shortcuts for sleep in Windows 11 ?
Conclusion
Restoring the thumbnail cache in Windows 11 and rebuilding the icon cache are simple yet effective ways to resolve display issues with your files and folders.
By restoring the thumbnail cache in Windows 11, you can ensure that images and videos are displayed correctly, while rebuilding the icon cache helps fix any problems with missing or corrupted icons.
We’ve explored multiple methods to accomplish these tasks, from using built-in Windows tools like Disk Cleanup and Command Prompt to manually deleting cache files.
Each method offers a different approach, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your comfort level with system maintenance, such as when you need to restore thumbnail cache in Windows 11.
Remember, while these processes are generally safe, it’s always wise to create a system restore point before making changes. After applying any of these methods, give your system some time to rebuild the caches.
If you continue to experience issues, don’t hesitate to try another method or seek further assistance.
Source: [ windowscentral, elevenforum, lifewire, microsoft ]
Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)
To reset thumbnail cache in Windows 11, use Disk Cleanup: open it, select the system drive, check “Thumbnails,” and click “Delete Files.” Alternatively, navigate to C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer, show hidden files, and delete all “iconcache*.db” files. Restart your computer for changes to take effect.
First check if “Always show icons, never thumbnails” is unchecked in File Explorer’s View tab. If not, try rebuilding thumbnail cache by running Disk Cleanup (select Thumbnails) or deleting iconcache*.db files in C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer. Lastly, consider updating graphics drivers and restarting your computer.
To restore icon cache in Windows 11, access the hidden C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer folder. Delete all files starting with “iconcache”. Alternatively, open Command Prompt as administrator and run the following commands: cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer, attrib -h iconcache_*, del iconcache_*, then restart Explorer.
