Administrative template missing in group policy editor.

archz2 · 09 Nov 2020

I have Windows 10 version 1909 (OS Build 18363.1171).I want to speed up the loading of thumbnails in the file explorer for pdf files. I went to this article and it lists the steps that involve editing the group policy. https://www.guidingtech.com/speed-up-thumbnail-loading-windows-10/

Unfortunately, I am not getting the administrative template in my group policy editor and cannot proceed.

Administrative template missing in group policy editor.-image.png

I am the sole user of my laptop with admin privileges. Please advise.

I tried installing admin templates from this link but it didn't solve my issue.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down...aspx?id=102157

dalchina · 09 Nov 2020

Hi, please confirm you have Win 10 Pro (some try to add group policy to Home following guides).

Meanwhile try this:
Download Policy Plus - MajorGeeks

- looks exactly like the group policy editor, but includes a useful search feature. Free.

Does this offer all options?

Possible fix:
Solved: Missing administrative templates from Group Policy Windows 2012 Domain Controllers | Experts Exchange

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/tro...-areas-missing

archz2 · 10 Nov 2020

I have windows 10 home. The page here

How to Speed up Thumbnail Loading in Windows 10

in step 3 asks for searching "Turn off the caching of thumbnails". I couldn't find this using the search function of policy plus freeware.

I went through this page.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/tro...-areas-missing.

I used the command "regsvr32 gptext.dll" in command prompt and got a positive confirmation.

But when I went to the group policy editor, I still can't find admin templates.

This link is asking for credit card details to access the solution. I'm not comfortable in giving my details here.
Solved: Missing administrative templates from Group Policy Windows 2012 Domain Controllers | Experts Exchange

dalchina · 10 Nov 2020

Thank you for your reply.

If you have Home you aren't entitled to the group policy editor and there is not guarantee of an attempt to add it working normally.

I suggested two fixes. No response.

I suggested you try Policyplus. No response.

archz2 · 10 Nov 2020

Policy plus doesn't have the option to check the thumbnails.

archz2 said:

I have windows 10 home. The page here

How to Speed up Thumbnail Loading in Windows 10

in step 3 asks for searching "Turn off the caching of thumbnails". I couldn't find this using the search function of policy plus freeware.

I went through this page.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/tro...-areas-missing.

I used the command "regsvr32 gptext.dll" in command prompt and got a positive confirmation. I learnt this command from the microsoft docs resource that you mentioned.

archz2 said:

I used the command "regsvr32 gptext.dll" in command prompt and got a positive confirmation.

dalchina · 10 Nov 2020

How to Speed up Thumbnail Loading in Windows 10

- this gives you the registry locations and changes.

The group policy editor is just a front end to give a higher level of abstraction. I.e. you don't need the group policy editor to do this.

It's not an issue I've experienced- it seems some do though from the fact such articles exist.

Here you can see it's available in Policy Plus:

Administrative template missing in group policy editor.-1.png

search for thumbnail:

archz2 · 12 Nov 2020

This is unusual. I use the keyword 'thumbnail' and I get zero results.

I tried running policy plus by choosing to run as administrator via right click menu as well. Still getting zero results.

The article mentions that there are two values in the following path in the registry editor.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches

I am only getting the default value and not autorun.

However, when I go to this path.
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCac hes\Thumbnail Cache, I do get the autorun value. It is currently set to 3.

What should I do now?

dalchina · 12 Nov 2020

Hi, this is what I see for those 2 registry keys:

Administrative template missing in group policy editor.-2.png

archz2 · 13 Nov 2020

What should I do for the autorun value here?

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches

Neither you have it, neither do I.

dalchina · 13 Nov 2020

Well, put it this way- I don't have the problem that you describe.

If, however, you find a fix that suggests you do something with it to achieve a goal, by all means feel free to try it. If that helps you, then great. Otherwise I have no particular opinion.