If you want to see previews of the pictures you have on your Windows 8 machine so that you can attach the desired ones to your emails and for some reason if they do not display, it is probably because the Windows Picture Preview is not working. You may get annoyed due to not being able to see thumbnails of the images but out of helplessness you may leave your machine as it is and seek another one to do the job if it is to be done on an urgent basis. However, there may be some of you who will go to any length to fix the problem – so for those of you who want to try out the fixes at the cost of their precious time – here these are.
Also see:
- How to fix error 0x80073cf9 when install store apps in Windows 8 Surface Pro
- How to fix Microsoft Office 2013 Encountered Problem during Installation.
- How to Fix Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 Upgrade fail Error
- How to solve Unable to activate Windows Store app E_Fail Issue

Picture Viewer Error
Step 1: Enable Thumbnail Preview
Perchance the thumbnail preview option in Windows Photo Viewer is not enabled and because of this you cannot see the image previews. You can enable this feature and then experience the change. Bring on the “Search Charm” and search for “gpedit.msc”. Right click it and choose to launch it as administrator. You must provide admin password if prompted by the UAC.
In the Local Group Policy Editor window, browse to “User Configuration”> “Administrative Templates”> “Start Menu and Taskbar”> and double click “Turn off Taskbar Thumbnail Preview”. In the Properties window, select the “Disable” button and then click “Apply”, “OK” to save changes and exit screens. You should now see previews of all your pictures.
Step 2: Tweak Picture Folder Settings
Open the folder where you have saved your pictures. Now click the “Tools” tab of the folder> click “Folder Options”> click the “View” tab, and remove checkmark from the “Always show icons, never thumbnails” box. Click “Apply” and “OK” to save changes and exit Folder Options. You should be able to see picture thumbnails ever afterwards.
Step 3: Install Windows Updates
Check for Windows updates to install latest patches, fix software bugs, and enhance performance of your Windows 8 machine. You can check for Windows updates through “Settings”> “Change PC Settings”> “Windows Update”, “Check for updates”. Check which updates you want to install and do so with admin privileges or else you will be refused access to them.
Step 4: Tweak Settings in Performance Options
Browse to “Computer”> right click it and select “Properties”. In the “Computer Properties” window, click “Advanced System Settings”. In the “System Properties” window, click “Advanced” tab> click “Settings”. In the “Performance Options” window, check the “Show thumbnails instead of icons” box. Click “Apply” and “OK” to save changes and exit the window. Close all the windows and thereafter you should be able to see thumbnail previews of your pictures.
Well that should work for now.
credit: vtechsquad
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