.CR2 thumbnails disappear from Explorer after installing FastPictureViewer

[John Little]

I had .CR2 thumbnails showing just fine in Windows explorer but no thumbnails for PSDs. I installed FastPictureViewer because someone suggested that might enable the PSD thumbnails. It did, but I couldn't even open the RAW files in FPV (got an error message) so I uninstalled it. Afterwards, my .CR2 files show up as just icons in explorer. I didn't put the two things together until I found this post at https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...-in-file/c121f379-91c2-49c0-ab34-fc5fffeac38f saying the same thing had happened to him just a couple months ago. (It's the last post in the thread.)

I tried rolling back Windows to before the FPV installation but it didn't fix anything. It's kind of funny because I've seen a lot of posts where people recommend FPV as a possible fix for people who don't have .CR2 thumbnails; but I had them before FPV but not after.

I know there are a ton of posts where possible fixes are suggested to enable the thumbnails. In light of what caused mine to disappear, does anyone have any ideas specifically for this case? I'm using Win8.1 64-bit.

Thanks

 

[Isola Verde]

I had .CR2 thumbnails showing just fine in Windows explorer but no thumbnails for PSDs. I installed FastPictureViewer because someone suggested that might enable the PSD thumbnails. It did, but I couldn't even open the RAW files in FPV (got an error message) so I uninstalled it. Afterwards, my .CR2 files show up as just icons in explorer. I didn't put the two things together until I found this post at https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...-in-file/c121f379-91c2-49c0-ab34-fc5fffeac38f saying the same thing had happened to him just a couple months ago. (It's the last post in the thread.)

I tried rolling back Windows to before the FPV installation but it didn't fix anything. It's kind of funny because I've seen a lot of posts where people recommend FPV as a possible fix for people who don't have .CR2 thumbnails; but I had them before FPV but not after.

I know there are a ton of posts where possible fixes are suggested to enable the thumbnails. In light of what caused mine to disappear, does anyone have any ideas specifically for this case? I'm using Win8.1 64-bit.

Thanks

Personally, since getting it in May 2015 and using its versions 3.8.0.96 and 3.8.0.97 under first Win 8 and now Win10, I've had few problems with the "pay-for" version of the FastPictureViewer Codec Pack.

Is that what you mean by "FastPictureViewer" ?

If so I'd suggest you try removing the one you've got and installing the second of those versions from the website.

https://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/

I see you've not said "bought" or similar - perhaps your free trial period has ended?

**********************

If it's not that you're running, but one of the other products, I wonder if you need to try the Windows Codec pack described here...

Loading…

support.microsoft.com

Supported cameras list - but, apparently, "Last Updated: 24 Sep 2013"...

Canon: Digital Rebel XT, Digital Rebel XTi, EOS 10D, EOS 20D, EOS 30D, EOS 40D, EOS 50D Digital, EOS 60D, EOS 100D, EOS 300D, EOS 350D, EOS 400D, EOS 450D, EOS 500D, EOS 550D, EOS 600D, EOS 650D, EOS 700D, EOS 1000D, EOS1100D, EOS 5D, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 6D, EOS 7D Digital, EOS D30, EOS D60, EOS Digital Rebel, EOS Kiss Digital, EOS Kiss Digital N, EOS Kiss Digital X, EOS Kiss F, EOS Kiss X2, EOS Kiss X3, EOS Kiss X4, EOS Kiss X5, EOS Kiss X6i, EOS Kiss X7, EOS Kiss X7i, EOS Kiss X50, EOS M, EOS Rebel SL1, EOS Rebel T1i, EOS Rebel T2i, EOS Rebel T3, EOS Rebel T3i, EOS Rebel T4i, EOS Rebel T5i, EOS Rebel XS, EOS Rebel XSi, EOS-1D, EOS-1D X, EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS-1D Mark III, EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS-1Ds, EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS-1Ds Mark III, PowerShot G1 X, PowerShot G2, PowerShot G3, PowerShot G5, PowerShot G6, PowerShot G9, PowerShot G10, PowerShot G11, PowerShot G12, PowerShot G15, PowerShot Pro1, PowerShot S90, PowerShot S95, PowerShot S100, PowerShot S110, PowerShot SX1 IS, PowerShot SX50 HS

*****************

Peter

 

[John Little]

It's not the codec pack, it's fastpictureviewer, the trial.

 

[sygnus21]

I know there are a ton of posts where possible fixes are suggested to enable the thumbnails. In light of what caused mine to disappear, does anyone have any ideas specifically for this case? I'm using Win8.1 64-bit.

Ok, to clear up my confusion on this....

1. Are you ultimately trying to view CR2 files as thumbnails in Windows Explorer?
2. Are you also trying to view PSD files at thumbnails in Windows Explorer?

Regarding PSD files, yeah, Windows Explorer does not provide previews for them, not even in Windows 10. If you want to preview those, you'll need a third party viewer as you discovered. Or you can use Adobe Bridge as I do.

As for your CR2 issue, that's weird that it was working and now not. Perhaps something got reset when you removed FastPictureViewer? With that, could try reinstalling the Microsoft Camera Codec Pack for Windows 8.1and see if that solves your CR2 issue.

As for viewing PSD files as a thumbnail, you can always use Adobe Bridge. Unfortunately Microsoft themselves (and Adobe) does not include a preview codec for Windows Explorer, so if this is a must, you'll have to look third party as suggested in this thread here - Windows 10 Fall Creators Update .PSD Thumbnails Not Showing.

Let us know.

 

[Isola Verde]

It's not the codec pack, it's fastpictureviewer, the trial.

Can't be of help with the full program, as I've not tried it - and only use the Codec pack... which are the things that enable other programs display the various thumbnails they don't inherently support.

.................

As far as I'm aware, Win8 originally came with very limited support - if any - for RAWs, and users had to install the supplementary Codecs mentioned in my previous post.

Alternatively, some manufacturers offer something similar - though, presumably, only for their own files.... including Canon's own "Canon RAW Codec"

The downloader link for that should appear here, but do be sure it offers you the right one for your precise version of Windows 8...

Loading…

www.canon.co.uk

.....................

Otherwise, Axel usually replies to queries raised in this Forum - with some alternative ways of contacting him mentioned in this earlier thread..

Loading…

www.dpreview.com

...........

Hope you get it sorted!

Peter

 

[Isola Verde]

For the record, chasing a PDF thumbnail viewer may perhaps be less rewarding than you hope - as it appears that the file's creator may have to select and/or permit viewing of the thumbnail before it can be viewed?

For example, here's the Win10 Explorer showing part of a folder in which some of the PDFs - all downloaded from external sites - don't display any thumbnail, while others are showing a map that actually appears on one or another of the "pages" inside the particular file....



Few authors seem to bother!

Peter

--
Pictures...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/132932913@N02/albums

 

[sygnus21]

As far as I'm aware, Win8 originally came with very limited support - if any - for RAWs, and users had to install the supplementary Codecs mentioned in my previous post.

Alternatively, some manufacturers offer something similar - though, presumably, only for their own files.... including Canon's own "Canon RAW Codec"

The Windows 8.1 Microsoft Codec pack DOES include support for Canon's RAW codec. And you can see a list of support cameras listed in the download link I already posted.

 

[Isola Verde]

As far as I'm aware, Win8 originally came with very limited support - if any - for RAWs, and users had to install the supplementary Codecs mentioned in my previous post.

Alternatively, some manufacturers offer something similar - though, presumably, only for their own files.... including Canon's own "Canon RAW Codec"

The Windows 8.1 Microsoft Codec pack DOES include support for Canon's RAW codec. And you can see a list of support cameras listed in the download link I already posted.

Looks just like the list I posted here some 10 hours ago, from the same source - wouldn't you agree?

 

[sygnus21]

Looks just like the list I posted here some 10 hours ago, from the same source - wouldn't you agree?

Fair enough. I'm guilty of what I accuse others of doing.... not reading the thread

Anyway what's viewing PDF files got to do with the OP's PSD / CR2 issue?

 

[Isola Verde]

Looks just like the list I posted here some 10 hours ago, from the same source - wouldn't you agree?

Fair enough

Anyway what's viewing PDF files got to do with the OP's PSD / CR2 issue?

Absolutely nothing, a misreading on my part.

But that's a problem easily solved, if caring enough to spend $10 on the FPV codecs...







--
Pictures...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/132932913@N02/albums

 

[sygnus21]

Anyway what's viewing PDF files got to do with the OP's PSD / CR2 issue?

Absolutely nothing, a misreading on my part.

But that's a problem easily solved, if caring enough to spend $10 on the FPV codecs.

Staying on this topic for a second (sorry, were getting off track for a moment), I found this video interesting, and it works if you have Adobe Acrobat (and maybe Reader)….



Let me clear up this video a bit....

You can actually open Windows Explorer first, click the View tab, and click "Options". On "Folder Options", click the "View" tab, and make sure the "Display file icon on thumbnails" as well as “Show hidden files, folder, and drive” box / button are ticked. Hit OK.

Open Acrobat ("maybe" Reader?) and choose a folder (not a specific file) with the PDF files you want to view. When you chose a folder, let Acrobat render all the PDF files to a thumbnail before closing the program. Once you close the program, go to the folder you chose and your PDF files will be in thumbnail view. Note this ONLY works with the folder you chose to open in Acrobat. Anything outside the folder won't be affected.

Why and how this works, I've no idea, but it does on my Windows 10 x 64-bit Pro machine using Adobe Acrobat XI Pro. Weird, weird, but it works.

Anyway I don't mean to side track so....

 

[John Little]

I know there are a ton of posts where possible fixes are suggested to enable the thumbnails. In light of what caused mine to disappear, does anyone have any ideas specifically for this case? I'm using Win8.1 64-bit.

Ok, to clear up my confusion on this....

1. Are you ultimately trying to view CR2 files as thumbnails in Windows Explorer?
2. Are you also trying to view PSD files at thumbnails in Windows Explorer?

Regarding PSD files, yeah, Windows Explorer does not provide previews for them, not even in Windows 10. If you want to preview those, you'll need a third party viewer as you discovered. Or you can use Adobe Bridge as I do.

As for your CR2 issue, that's weird that it was working and now not. Perhaps something got reset when you removed FastPictureViewer? With that, could try reinstalling the Microsoft Camera Codec Pack for Windows 8.1and see if that solves your CR2 issue.

As for viewing PSD files as a thumbnail, you can always use Adobe Bridge. Unfortunately Microsoft themselves (and Adobe) does not include a preview codec for Windows Explorer, so if this is a must, you'll have to look third party as suggested in this thread here - Windows 10 Fall Creators Update .PSD Thumbnails Not Showing.

Let us know.

With regards to your #1 and #2: yes.

Not that long ago (a few weeks), all my thumbnails were working correctly. At some point (don't know when) the PSD thumbnails stopped working; when I noticed it I just let it slide.

So a couple days ago I decided to find out how to fix the PSD thumbnails, and some people (online) suggested that using FPV might fix them. So I downloaded the trial of FPV and ran it. When it wouldn't open the RAW files (something I had the impression it could do) I uninstalled FPV. That's when the CR2 thumbs no longer worked. I did a system restore back to before installing FPV and they still don't work. When I started researching how to get them back, that's when I came across the forum post (that I linked) where the other person had the same experience with FPV.

So my current status is that neither CR2 nor PSD thumbs display in Explorer.

One thing that I'm confused about is that a lot of people will say, "Try so-and-so image viewer and it might fix thumbnails that won't display." (People have recommended Irfanview, Faststone, and XnViewMP, among others. I'm already using all 3 of them and they don't fix diddly.) But nobody says HOW using their particular image viewer is supposed to fix thumbnails.

Regarding the MS Camera Codec Pack, I tried that and got the following error:



which is really weird because the only prerequisite is Windows 8.1, which is what I'm running.

Thanks for your help.

 

[rd52]

J.L. sorry to hear your problem. Odd that you couldn't reinstall the MS camera codec, I went to the download and noticed that there were two downloads 32 and 64 versions, just make sure you get the right one.

Since restore did not work for you, I would run a sfc /scannow in command prompt. Can't hurt, and it just might help. Good luck John!

 

[John Little]

I know there are a ton of posts where possible fixes are suggested to enable the thumbnails. In light of what caused mine to disappear, does anyone have any ideas specifically for this case? I'm using Win8.1 64-bit.

Ok, to clear up my confusion on this....

1. Are you ultimately trying to view CR2 files as thumbnails in Windows Explorer?
2. Are you also trying to view PSD files at thumbnails in Windows Explorer?

Regarding PSD files, yeah, Windows Explorer does not provide previews for them, not even in Windows 10. If you want to preview those, you'll need a third party viewer as you discovered. Or you can use Adobe Bridge as I do.

As for your CR2 issue, that's weird that it was working and now not. Perhaps something got reset when you removed FastPictureViewer? With that, could try reinstalling the Microsoft Camera Codec Pack for Windows 8.1and see if that solves your CR2 issue.

As for viewing PSD files as a thumbnail, you can always use Adobe Bridge. Unfortunately Microsoft themselves (and Adobe) does not include a preview codec for Windows Explorer, so if this is a must, you'll have to look third party as suggested in this thread here - Windows 10 Fall Creators Update .PSD Thumbnails Not Showing.

Let us know.

After checking out the link at the bottom of your post, SageThumbs does appear to have fixed ALL my thumbnails, PSD and CR2. It required adjusting file size preferences but after doing that, they all SEEM (!!!) to be working fine. (Hate to make any rash statements, but they seem to be good now.)

Thanks again.

 

[sygnus21]

Regarding the MS Camera Codec Pack, I tried that and got the following error:



which is really weird because the only prerequisite is Windows 8.1, which is what I'm running.

You need to pick the appropriate version for your OS. If you're running the 64-bit version you need to download the 64-bit version. If the 32-bit version, you'll need the 32-bit file.

 

[John Little]

Regarding the MS Camera Codec Pack, I tried that and got the following error:



which is really weird because the only prerequisite is Windows 8.1, which is what I'm running.

You need to pick the appropriate version for your OS. If you're running the 64-bit version you need to download the 64-bit version. If the 32-bit version, you'll need the 32-bit file.

Yes, I know. I did get the 64-bit version. Maybe it would give that error if I already had the codec pack?

 

[sygnus21]

Yes, I know. I did get the 64-bit version. Maybe it would give that error if I already had the codec pack?

Yeah, that's a possibility. You could uninstall and do a reinstall. On the other hand if you're happy with the third party solution you spoke of, leave well enough alone.

Good luck,