Restoring thumbnails for SketchUp files on Windows

Summary of issue

You may not be able to see SketchUp file thumbnails on Windows if SketchUp 20152016 was previously uninstalled.

Description

When SketchUp 20152016 is uninstalled and a new different, default version of SketchUp is set, the SketchUp file thumbnails may disappear even after reinstalling the latest version of SketchUp.

Workaround

If SketchUp 20152016 is currently uninstalled on your computer:

  1. Locate SketchUp 2015 M3 installer or download from this page.
  2. Locate SketchUp 2016 installer or download from this page.
  3. Install SketchUp 2015 M32016 by double-clicking on the installer and following the steps to install.
  4. If thumbnails are still not visible after installation of SketchUp 2015 M32016, click on the Windows Start button and go to Default Programs.
  5. Select Set your default programs.
  6. Click on SketchUp 20152016 in the Programs list.
  7. Select Set this program as default.

If SketchUp 20152016 is currently installed on your computer:

  1. Locate SketchUp 2015 M3 installer or download from this page.
  2. Locate SketchUp 2016 installer or download from this page.
  3. Reinstall SketchUp 2015 M32016 by double-clicking on the installer.
  4. Click Repair during the install when the Change, repair, or remove installation dialog appears.
  5. Finish the install.
  6. Click on the Windows Start button and go to Default Programs.
  7. Select Set your default programs.
  8. Click on SketchUp 20152016 in the Programs list.
  9. Select Set this program as default.
Note: Thumbnails should now show for any newly saved files. If you can't see a thumbnail for an old file, you can open it and click Save and it should show the thumbnail.

If the above workaround does not work, disable any third party thumbnail software (e.g., MysticThumbs) that you may have installed. Third party software can also contribute to thumbnail issues.

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