Problem

This article describes how to bring previews back when they are missing from the preview pane when using SOLIDWORKS with Windows 10 or Windows 7. Sometimes the preview in the preview pane will either be blank or display the SOLIDWORKS icon thumbnails rather than a preview of the file.

Before attempting the solutions below, open SOLIDWORKS to make sure the Thumbnail setting is turned on. This is located under Tools > Options > System Options > General. Check “Show thumbnail graphics in Windows Explorer” if it is not turned on already. If the thumbnails do not return, attempt the solutions below.

Solution 1: Register sldthumnailprovider.dll

1. In the Windows Start Menu, type "cmd" without quotation marks into the Windows search field, and right-click on the Command Prompt application to select "Run as administrator"

2. In the Command Prompt, type: 
   regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Common Files\SOLIDWORKS Shared\sldthumbnailprovider.dll"
   Note: This is the default file path; please follow the file path on your system to make sure it contains sldthumbnailprovider.dll.

   

3. Press Enter to register the DLL file, and a message prompt should return stating that it has succeeded

   

Check to see if the issue has been resolved. The files may need to be opened, rebuilt, and saved to generate a preview image. If it is not resolved, proceed to register the sldwinshellextu.dll in the next section.

Solution 2: Register the sldwinshellextu.dll

1. In the Windows Start Menu, type "cmd" without quotation marks into the Windows search field, and right-click on the Command Prompt application to select "Run as administrator"
2. In the Command Prompt, type: 
   regsvr32 "C:\Program Files\Common Files\SolidWorks Shared\sldwinshellextu.dll"
   Note: This is the default file path; please follow the file path on your system to make sure it contains sldwinshellextu.dll.

3. Press Enter to register the DLL file, and a message prompt should return stating that it has succeeded

   

Check to see if the issue has been resolved. The files may need to be opened, rebuilt, and saved to generate a preview image. If that does not help, proceed to the next section.

Solution 3: Repair SOLIDWORKS

If the DLL's cannot be registered, or the previews do not return, repair SOLIDWORKS following the steps in this article: How to Repair SOLIDWORKS – Hawk Ridge Systems

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.