Member Avatar for rimisar65

Hi chaps, I am very new here ...
Could you please help me with the above problem?
I reinstalled Vista and found that the thumbnails missing ... :(
on the taskbar properties, the option "show window previews (thumbnails)"
is not active and the box can not be checked. I to reactivate it? Any ideas?

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Vista taskbar previews depend on the Desktop Window Manager (Aero) and a few visual-effect settings. As noted and confirmed, lack of proper video-driver/Aero support is a common root cause; additional checks help when the taskbar option stays grayed out.

Common troubleshooting steps:

  • Open Services (services.msc) and confirm the Themes service and Desktop Window Manager Session Manager are set to Automatic and are running.
  • Select an Aero theme (Desktop -> Personalize -> Theme) so Windows can use composition for live previews.
  • Open System -> Advanced system settings -> Performance Settings -> Visual Effects and enable desktop composition and visual styles (or choose Adjust for best appearance).
  • If present, check Group Policy (gpedit.msc) at User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Start Menu and Taskbar -> Turn off taskbar thumbnails is Not Configured or Disabled.
  • For Explorer thumbnails, ensure Folder Options -> View does not have "Always show icons, never thumbnails" checked, and clear the thumbnail cache with Disk Cleanup.
  • Restart Explorer or reboot after driver or service changes.

Additional notes and cautions: remote desktop sessions, low color depth, third-party theme utilities, or shell-extension conflicts can disable previews. Device Manager -> Display adapters helps confirm driver status; prefer vendor-supplied WDDM drivers for Vista. Editing services, group policy, or the registry carries risk—use care and create a restore point before making changes. For persistent errors, check Event Viewer for DWM-related messages or consult the graphics vendor for updated drivers.

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Member Avatar for PcPro12

have you update your graphics card to support aero graphics???

if you have a good graphics card, than install the driver....after reinstalling or installing any windows...the OS will by default use the Generic monitor...so install your graphics driver and try again...

Member Avatar for rimisar65

have you update your graphics card to support aero graphics???

if you have a good graphics card, than install the driver....after reinstalling or installing any windows...the OS will by default use the Generic monitor...so install your graphics driver and try again...

Thanks a lot ... it is ok now! :)

Member Avatar for PcPro12

you're welcome...

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