If there's an issue with the mp4 files themselves, then it wouldn't matter about the thumbnail cache.
It could be a number of things that happened to the mp4 files that may have caused this. Here's a couple of ideas:
1) Converted mp4 file from some other format.
2) The way the mp4 file was packaged for the image it shows.
None of the MP4 files were converted. All displayed the correct thumbnail picture on the old computer.
I thought I had it! I searched C: for "thumbcache" and a bunch of files came up. I clicked on the biggest one; it wanted to know how to open it; I chose my MP4 player "MPC-HC"; then all of my MP4 thumbnails flashed by one after the other! I found the database!! I deleted it; a search again showed as "to be deleted"; figured I needed to restart, as in the other methods; restarted; no change. I did it again with a "force deleter" and restarted; no change. Of course, not being an expert, I have no idea if this method is a real way to delete the database.
Here's an alternative method that I sometimes use: https://www.softpedia.com/get/System...-Cleaner.shtml
With that one I launch the app then kill explorer.exe via Process Hacker.
Then I let the app scan for and clean thumbnail databases. Then I reboot using the Process Hacker menu.
Hacker> Computer> Restart
You could also try removing all installed media players (for video) including leftovers.
Reboot and reinstall the one you use.
If problem persists re-encode the problematic .mp4 files:
Here's one of the utilities I use to do that:
https://shana.pe.kr/shanaencoder_summary (use .mp4 preset)
Try Media Preview to generate thumbnails but not if you have another third party shell extension installed that does the same thing.
Get thumbnails for all possible image and video formats in Explorer folders
Last edited by Callender; 11 May 2020 at 19:52. Reason: correction
With all of this going on, my little issue was totally scrapped. No problem though, it's interesting, and I've learned a lot. A lot about images, and videos, but my PDF thumbnails are still out in space. I was having issues with my Office files too, but today, I noticed a new feature with Office. When you save a document, there is a box at the bottom of the dialogue box that asks if you want to save a thumbnail!
So, what is wrong with PDF, particularly, Adobe Reader DC saved files?
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And, as one might expect, the thumbnail is no longer saving for WORD documents at this time. "More at 11"!With all of this going on, my little issue was totally scrapped. No problem though, it's interesting, and I've learned a lot. A lot about images, and videos, but my PDF thumbnails are still out in space. I was having issues with my Office files too, but today, I noticed a new feature with Office. When you save a document, there is a box at the bottom of the dialogue box that asks if you want to save a thumbnail!
So, what is wrong with PDF, particularly, Adobe Reader DC saved files?
Geez....
Among the various suggestions was a thing from Callender that mentioned a freeware program called Icaros. I installed that and it now generates (very quickly) great (and correct) thumbnails for all my MP4 files. The reboot after installing it took a long time ...maybe because it is redoing all the thumbnails before restarting?
I note that pdf files do not generate a picture like an mp4, but just a rectangular thumbnail that says "PDF" on it. The following should help in generating the pdf thumbnails;
Enable thumbnail preview of PDFs in Windows Explorer
So far, it is not working for me with Icaros, but maybe have to do a reboot.
djbillyd; so sorry! I did not understand how a forum worked; for some reason I thought I was talking to just the one guy, and then finally realized I had jumped into the middle of another conversation and was boring all kinds of people. I hope something from the above is useful to you.
Hey, we are all in this together. You got a problem, we got a problem. Windows 10 does not discriminate. It screws us all. And I did try some of the things you referenced and found no joy. Having the Insider Preview s part of what I'm dealing with. But talking about releasing this thing like it's OK is gonna make a lot of people mad. I hope my whining helps some to, at least, be on the look out!
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This one of the threads you get when you search the community. I think, looking back, that PDF thumbnails were discussed earlier. I know they were by me..., in this thread.
Would suggest: Uninstall your PDF reader/ viewer/ editor program(s) using this:
Geek Uninstaller - the best FREE uninstaller
Then reboot and install a fresh copy.
Use Revo then. I find Revo's rules problematic. Geek does reg scan. I also have an app that runs as a service and monitors uninstalls and detects leftovers including registry.
Maybe I should have phrased the original comment better:
Use a decent uninstaller program - not the one built into windows and make sure that you shut down any of the PDF program's running processes or services first.
Last edited by Callender; 14 May 2020 at 14:23. Reason: typo
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