Thumbnail Previews on Taskbar - Enable or Disable

How to Enable or Disable the Taskbar Thumbnail Previews in Vista​

information   Information
This will only show you how to enable or disable the Taskbar open window thumbnail previews option for all user accounts on the computer. This is not available in the Vista Home Basic edition.
Tip   Tip
If you wanted to turn the Taskbar thumbnail previews on or off instead, then see: How to Turn Open Window Thumbnail Previews On or Off for the Taskbar in Vista
warning   Warning
You must have the Windows Aero color scheme turned on for the Glass Transparency, Taskbar Thumbnail Previews, and Flip 3D features.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS FOR: WINDOWS AERO
See: Windows Help and Support: Troubleshoot problems with Windows Aero
NOTE: The Windows Aero color scheme is not available for the Vista Home Basic edition. :(
  • 1 GHz 32 bit or 64 bit CPU processor.
  • The computer needs at least 1 GB of RAM.
  • A graphics card with support for DirectX 9 graphics with 128 MB of memory.
  • The graphics card must support Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware.
  • The graphics card driver must support Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WDDM)
  • The computer display color depth must be set to 32 bits per pixel.
EXAMPLE: Enabled and Disable "Show window previews (thumbnails)" Option
NOTE: You can see this by right clicking on the Taskbar and clicking Properties.

Enabled.jpgDisabled.jpg​
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head
Through the Local Group Policy Editor

NOTE: This method is only available for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. See Method Two or Three below for the Vista Home Premium edition.
1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.​
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2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Start Menu and Taskbar. (See screenshot below)​
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Group_Policy.jpg​

3. In the right pane, right click on Turn off taskbar thumbnails and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)​
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4. To Enable Taskbar Thumbnails​
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A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 5A)​
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B) Go to step 6.​

5. To Disable Taskbar Thumbnails​
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A) Dot Enabled and click on OK.​
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Properties.jpg​

6. Close the Group Policy Object Editor window.​
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7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.​
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METHOD TWO
Using a REG File Download

NOTE: This will work for all Vista versions except for the Home Basic version.
1. To Enable Taskbar Thumbnails ​
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A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.​
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Enable_Taskbar_Thumbnails.reg​
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download​

B) Go to step 3.​

2. To Disable Taskbar Thumbnails ​
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A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.​
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Disable_Taskbar_Thumbnails.reg​
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download​

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.​
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4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.​
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5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.​
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6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.​
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7. When done, you can delete the .reg file if you like.​
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METHOD THREE
Manually in Registry Editor

NOTE: This will work for all Vista versions except for the Home Basic version.
1. Open the Start Menu.​
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2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.​
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3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.​
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4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5D)​
NOTE: If you do not have Explorer, then right click on Policies and click New -> Key and type Explorer and press Enter.​
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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer​
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5. To Disable Taskbar Thumbnails​
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A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value.​
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B) Type TaskbarNoThumbnail and press Enter.​
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C) Right click on TaskbarNoThumbnail and click on Modify.​
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Registry.jpg​

D) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below)​
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Modify.jpg​

E) Go to step 7.​

6. To Enable Taskbar Thumbnails​
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A) In the right pane, right click on TaskbarNoThumbnail and click Delete. (See screenshot above)​
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B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion.​
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C) In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)​
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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer​
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D) In the right pane, repeat steps 6A and 6B if TaskbarNoThumbnail is there to.​
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HKLM_Reg.jpg​

7. Close regedit.​
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8. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply the changes.​
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That's it,
Shawn


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Last edited:
Click to expand...
Ok, it took me a while but I figured out the problem. I could not see my thumbnails anymore and my "Show window previews (thumbnails)" was greyed out. Here is how i fixed mine...
-Click on your start menu and type in "services" in the search box
-Open up the first "Services" you see which should have a cogwheel next to it
-Scroll down to "Desktop Window Manager Session Manager", the "Status" should show "started" which mine did not.
-If yours doesn't either, right click the "Desktop Window Manaher Session Manager" and click on "Start"
-If start is greyed out, click on "Properties" and then change the "Startup Type" to "Automatic" then click "ok".
-Now, right click the "Desktop Window Manaher Session Manager" and click on "Start"
You should now both have Aero working again and be able to see your thumbnails for your taskbar again.
If not, make sure they are still checked when you right click the taskbar, properties, "Show Window Preview (thumbnails)"
I hope this helped.
 

My Computer

System One

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