Thumbnail preview with SOLIDWORKS files

If you are having experienced the SOLIDWORKS Open dialog or Windows Explorer dialog not displaying the thumbnail preview picture, there are a few reasons that can cause this issue. We would like to share some solutions to remedy this issue.

This is the issue without thumbnail preview with SOLIDWORKS files

After restore the settings, get back thumbnail preview with SOLIDWORKS files

• SOLIDWORKS System Options

Check the SOLIDWORKS System Options- Tools > Options > System Options tab > general > Show thumbnail graphics in Windows Explorer.

Please note that the files must be opened and saved in SOLIDWORKS to generate the thumbnail. For the out-of-date file, you may need to open and save it again in SOLIDWORKS.

• File Explorer Options

Open File Explorer Options from Control Panel

Under View tab, uncheck the option for Always show icons, never thumbnails

Scroll down and check the option for Show preview handlers in preview pane, click Apply

• Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows

Note: SOLIDWORKS Thumbnails may be disabled if you have customized performance levels set in Windows. Also, if the top radio buttons are set to “Adjust for best performance”, your previews and thumbnails will be disabled.

Use the windows search bar to open Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows

Select Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer, ensure the option for Show thumbnails instead of icons is checked, and click Apply

• DLL Registration

SOLIDWORKS installs many .dll files that are required for the program to run properly, interface with the prerequisites and work in the Windows O/S environment. If you install without full LOCAL Windows Admin permissions it can prevent the needed registration of the .dll files. With the proper permissions, you can manually register the following .dll files to correct the issue.

• dll (by default location – C:\Program Files\Common Files\SOLIDWORKS Shared)
• dll (by default location – C:\Program Files\Common Files\SOLIDWORKS Shared)
• dll (by default location – C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp 20XX\SOLIDWORKS)
• Note: 20XX is the version of your SOLIDWORKSTo manually register these files, follow the steps below. If you have any questions, please contact your CAD Admin and/or IT team before starting.

   

  1. Log into Windows with full Local Administrator permissions
  2. Using Windows Explorer, browse to find the .dll files from the previous page (some paths may vary based on O/S).
  3. Open a Command Prompt (CMD) as Administrator.

4. Enter the following text and enter after each, ensure all .dll file registered succeeded

• regsvr32 “C:\Program Files\Common Files\SOLIDWORKS shared\swdocumentmgr.dll”
• regsvr32 “C:\Program Files\Common Files\SOLIDWORKS Shared\sldwinshellextu.dll”
• regsvr32 “C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp 20XX\SOLIDWORKS\sldthumbnailprovider.dll”

Note: 20XX is the version of your SOLIDWORKS

• Repair SOLIDWORKS

Control Panel > SOLIDWORKS 20XX SP0X > right click and select change > Select Repair your installation > Next

Select SOLIDWORKS and SOLIDWORKS File Utilities to repair

• Properties of SOLIDWORKS Files

Right click with SOLIDWORKS File and select Properties

Ensure open with SOLIDWORKS Launch was selected, you may also click the change and reselect the SOLIDWORKS Launch, click Apply to get updated.

If you still facing the same issue after all the setting restored, you may contact us at +65 6226 3784 or email support@seacadtech.com, you are also available to WhatsApp us +65 9372 1416.