Taskbar thumbnail previews usually enable you to see an app window’s content without maximizing it. However, some Windows 11/10 users have posted on help forums about thumbnail previews not working. When taskbar thumbnail previews aren’t working, they don’t appear when users hover their cursors over minimized windows.
This issue often arises when users have multiple windows open for apps. Consequently, users only see text labels for minimized window titles. Does a similar thing happen when you attempt to view taskbar previews? If so, this is how you can fix taskbar thumbnail previews not working on Windows 11/10 PCs.
1. Restart File Explorer’s Process
The File Explorer process handles the taskbar and many other Windows UI elements. So, restarting that process is a good place to start with troubleshooting this taskbar thumbnail preview issue. Doing so can address File Explorer glitches that could be causing the issue.
You can restart File Explorer on theProcessestab inside Task Manager. Right-click the Windows Explorer process there and selectRestart. Check out this guide torestarting File Explorerfor further instructions if needed.
2. Repair System Files
It’s usually recommended to try repairing system files whenever a Windows function isn’t working right. In this case, taskbar window previews aren’t working correctly. Running a System File Checker scan might repair corrupted system files causing this issue. Ourhow to run the System File Checkerguide provides guidelines for utilizing the SFC command-line tool.
3. Edit the Taskband and Advanced Registry Keys
Editing the Taskbar registry key is a widely confirmed solution for fixing taskbar thumbnail previews not working. This potential resolution will fix theNumThumbnailsDWORD in that key, which might be deleted or incorrectly set. That DWORD sets the maximum number of taskbar thumbnail previews for a single minimized window. This is how you should edit theTaskbandregistry key:
You might also need to delete aDisablePreviewWindoworDisablePreviewDesktopDWORD in theAdvancedregistry key to fix taskbar thumbnail previews not working. To do so, right-click theDisablePreviewWindoworDisablePreviewDesktopDWORD in theAdvancedkey and selectDelete>Yes. The registry location of theAdvancedkey is:
4. Disable the Turn Off Taskbar Thumbnails Policy Setting
Group Policy Editor includes a policy setting for disabling taskbar thumbnail policies. If you’re a Windows 11/10 Pro or Enterprise user, check that policy to make sure it’s not set to disable taskbar thumbnail previews. You can disable theTurn off taskbar thumbnailspolicy as follows:
5. Roll Windows Back With a System Restoration Point
If you have System Restore enabled, that could be a useful troubleshooting tool for fixing taskbar thumbnail previews not working. Restoring Windows to a date when your taskbar window previews worked might undo background changes that caused the issue. However, this will only work if you can select a suitable restore point that predates the issue.
You can roll back Windows by following the instructions in this guide toutilizing System Restore on Windows. Applying this potential solution will remove software packages installed after the date of the selected restore point. This will mean some reinstallation of software will probably be necessary after rolling back Windows.
Get Your Taskbar Thumbnail Previews Fixed
Taskbar thumbnail previews may not be the most essential feature, but many users will undoubtedly miss them when they’re not working. Applying the troubleshooting methods in this guide will usually get the Windows 11/10 taskbar thumbnails working again in most cases. So, give them a try if you may’t view taskbar thumbnail previews for minimized windows.
