Folders in ONE DRIVE will not optimize for pictures. Preview not available

Hi Nina

Thank you for providing detailed troubleshooting steps. Regarding the issue where OneDrive folders fail to optimize for pictures and previews, please follow these steps:

Known Issue & Feedback

This is a confirmed compatibility issue between Windows and OneDrive sync.

Targeted Solutions

1. Verify System & OneDrive Updates

   • Go to 「Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update」 to install all pending updates (including optional ones).

   • Check OneDrive version via 「OneDrive Settings → About」 (latest version: 23.220.1028.0005).

2. Test with a New Local Account

   • Press Win + R, type netplwiz, create a new local admin account.

   • Log in to the new account, resync OneDrive, and check if previews work.

   • If resolved, migrate data to the new profile; if not, proceed to system-level checks.

3. Batch Configure Folder Optimization
   Run this PowerShell script (Admin rights required):

   Get-ChildItem -Path "Your_OneDrive_Path" -Recurse -Directory | ForEach-Object {

       $folder = $_.FullName

       attrib +P $folder

       Set-ItemProperty -Path $folder -Name Attributes -Value ([IO.FileAttributes]::Directory -bor [IO.FileAttributes]::ReadOnly)

}

Replace Your_OneDrive_Path with your actual path (e.g., C:\Users\Username\OneDrive).

8. Deep Clean Thumbnail Cache

   • Run cleanmgr, select system drive → Check 「Thumbnails」→ Clean.

   • Manually delete cache files at %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer (delete thumbcache_* files).

9. Disable Files On-Demand (Temporary Workaround)

   • Right-click OneDrive taskbar icon → Settings → Uncheck 「Files On-Demand」.

   • Restart Explorer via Task Manager.

For further assistance, please provide:

• Screenshots of script errors (if any)

• OneDrive logs (Right-click taskbar icon → Ctrl+Click 「Help」→ 「Export Logs」)

Best Regards,

Lucy.W-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Thank you for the solution. I uninstalled and reinstalled one drive when I go to execute the newly installed file I get an error msg that the newest version is already on the PC. (I uninstalled using control panel)

Currently this is the version of One Drive

OneDrive device ID: 0f98f98e-fa95-a000-7c97-d2c02c00c7a0
OneDrive version: Build 25.041.0303.0002 (64-bit)

I did the necessary windows update and it is pending a restart. I will write back to see if these steps worked.

Hi Nina

Yes, feel free to share your progress.

However, it's worth noting that there may not be a "solution" to this issue, and while we haven't reproduced it, based on feedback from many users this is a confirmed compatibility issue between Windows and OneDrive sync.This is a confirmed compatibility issue between Windows and OneDrive sync, which needs to be reported to Microsoft and wait for a fix.

In any case, we look forward to you sharing your progress.Any information on the subject would be invaluable in exploring this issue.

Best Regards,

Lucy.W-MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

OK so I tried everything up to running the script on power shell. I think there may be an error on the script. Nothing runs

Also, i am curious to know why my update caused this issue and not anyone else's who is running windows 10 and One drive. I have office staff that do not have this issue.

Let's do a test by disconnecting OneDrive (if you have set OneDrive to start on boot, please cancel it).Then run " properties - customize - optimise this folder for pictures", restart your computer and see if the problem persists.

If the problem persists, then the problem is not related to OneDrive, it is a problem with File Explorer.

Note, keep OneDrive disconnected while performing this test.

Reference Links: Unlink and re-link OneDrive - Microsoft Support

According to a support person on the Windows support team who shared this, there is an issue with thumbnails not loading properly for larger images in File Explorer.

Also, please share your version of Windows with us!

Thank you. I have windows 10. When you say disconnect one drive do you mean uninstall it? I have already tried that and the One Drive folder appears to work perfectly fine with the thumbnails. As soon as I reinstall one drive the view changes and the folders are not longer optimized for pictures no matter what I do. I think the problem is with One Drive because it changes something in the system.

This is apparently a known issue with NO FIX. It is extremely frustrating since I rely on my photos folders to run my business.