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ONEDRIVE_THUMBNAIL_FIX_README.md

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+# OneDrive Thumbnail Override Fix
+
+## 🎯 Problem Description
+
+OneDrive's on-demand sync overrides locally-generated thumbnails with generic file icons when cloud services don't support specific file types (like `.blend`, `.psd`, etc.). This prevents you from seeing your custom thumbnails for unsupported formats.
+
+## 🔍 Root Cause
+
+1. **OneDrive Files On-Demand** uses cloud thumbnail providers that take precedence over local thumbnails
+2. When OneDrive doesn't support a file type, it shows a generic file icon
+3. This **overrides** your custom locally-generated thumbnails, even for files you've created beautiful previews for
+
+## ✅ Solution Overview
+
+This fix disables OneDrive's cloud thumbnail providers and restores priority to your local thumbnails while keeping OneDrive sync functionality intact.
+
+## 🛠️ How to Use
+
+### Method 1: Automated PowerShell Script (Recommended)
+
+1. **Run the batch file:**
+   ```cmd
+   autoThumbs.bat
+   ```
+
+2. **Select option 4:** "Fix OneDrive thumbnail override"
+
+3. **Follow prompts** - the script will run as administrator and fix the issue
+
+### Method 2: Manual Registry Fix
+
+1. **Run as Administrator:**
+   ```cmd
+   regedit
+   ```
+
+2. **Import the registry file:**
+   ```cmd
+   disable_onedrive_thumbnails.reg
+   ```
+
+3. **Restart Windows Explorer**
+
+### Method 3: PowerShell Direct
+
+Run PowerShell as Administrator and execute:
+```powershell
+.\fix_thumbnail_override.ps1
+```
+
+## 📋 What Gets Changed
+
+### ✅ Registry Modifications
+
+1. **OneDrive Policies:**
+   - `HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive` → `DisableCloudThumbnails = 1`
+   - `HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive` → `DisableCloudThumbnails = 1`
+
+2. **Cloud Thumbnail Provider Removal:**
+   - Removes: `HKLM\...\ThumbnailProviders\{E357FCCD-A995-4576-B01F-234630154E96}`
+
+3. **Local Thumbnail Preferences:**
+   - `HKCU\...\Explorer\Advanced` → `UseLocalThumbnailProvider = 1`
+   - `HKCU\...\Explorer\Advanced` → `IconsOnly = 0`
+
+4. **OneDrive Shell Overlays Disabled:**
+   - Removes OneDrive1-7 shell icon overlays that can interfere
+
+5. **Thumbnail Cache Protection:**
+   - Prevents Windows from auto-deleting thumbnail cache
+   - `HKLM\...\VolumeCaches\Thumbnail Cache` → `Autorun = 0`
+
+### 🔄 Process Changes
+
+1. **Explorer Process Restart** - Clears cached thumbnail providers
+2. **Thumbnail Cache Regeneration** - Forces fresh thumbnail creation
+3. **Local Provider Priority** - Your custom thumbnails now take precedence
+
+## ⚠️ Important Notes
+
+### ✅ What Still Works
+- ✅ OneDrive sync functionality (unchanged)
+- ✅ File access and collaboration
+- ✅ Cloud storage features
+- ✅ Local thumbnail generation
+
+### ❌ What Changes
+- ❌ OneDrive won't override your custom thumbnails anymore
+- ❌ Cloud-based thumbnail generation is disabled
+- ❌ Some OneDrive visual overlays may be reduced
+
+## 🔧 Troubleshooting
+
+### If thumbnails still don't appear:
+
+1. **Clear thumbnail cache manually:**
+   ```cmd
+   del /f /s /q "%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\thumbcache_*.db"
+   ```
+
+2. **Restart Windows Explorer:**
+   ```cmd
+   taskkill /f /im explorer.exe && start explorer.exe
+   ```
+
+3. **Regenerate thumbnails:**
+   ```cmd
+   python psthumbgen.py --directory "Your\Directory\Path"
+   ```
+
+### If you want to revert changes:
+
+Use the restore registry file:
+```cmd
+restore_onedrive_thumbnails.reg
+```
+
+## 🎉 Expected Results
+
+After applying this fix:
+
+1. **Your custom thumbnails** (like for `.blend` files) will display properly
+2. **OneDrive sync continues** working normally
+3. **File access remains** unchanged
+4. **Local thumbnail generation** takes priority over cloud providers
+
+## 📝 Technical Details
+
+### Cloud Thumbnail Provider GUID
+The key provider that overrides local thumbnails:
+- `{E357FCCD-A995-4576-B01F-234630154E96}` - Windows Cloud Files Thumbnail Provider
+
+### OneDrive Shell Overlays
+These overlays can interfere with thumbnail display:
+- `OneDrive1` through `OneDrive7` in `ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers`
+
+### Registry Locations
+```
+# User-level policies
+HKCU\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive
+
+# Machine-level policies  
+HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive
+
+# Thumbnail providers
+HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ThumbnailProviders
+
+# Explorer settings
+HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
+```
+
+## 🔄 Maintenance
+
+- **Reboot required** for full effect
+- **May need to reapply** after major Windows updates
+- **Compatible** with Windows 10/11 and current OneDrive versions
+
+---
+
+**🎨 Now you can enjoy your beautiful custom thumbnails without OneDrive interference!**