Disappearing thumbnails and shell extension

Hi After my 2020 trial finished my coreldraw thumbnails all reverted to a generic green icon. I've tried the usual fixes - right clicking for default etc, even a repair but nothing works. So I checked the shell extension, which according to the modified dates all appear to be 2020s. How do I get the proper shell extension (for 2018 and 2019 back. 

 Keep it simple please - I'm not much good below the bonnet..

Many thanks

  • I'd just save my workspace if custom.

    Uninstall CorelDraw 2020 & 2019 AND the SHELL EXTENSION FOR EACH.

    Use CCLEANER.  Cleanup everything, and the registry.  Reboot between things.  I generally don't use programs like this, but this one is pretty good and gets things back to before being de-virginized. (You don't have to do this, but it's just my habit).

    Reinstall 2019 if u want to stick with that dog.  What a scam, that ALPHA release... that's EXACTLY what that was and the MAC version should have never existed.  Just stupid move.

    Besides the 2019 problems, all should be good after.

    I know you can install multiple versions on the same machine, but personally I prefer NOT too, to keep "if to be" conflicts to ZERO.  Especially with multiple Corel font managers/navigators & OS font system.

    This is my personal opinion of course, I am sure some will disagree.  You decide.

    PS, surprisingly, even v2020 "initial" release is proving to be MUCH better and STABLE than v2019 Update 3 ever could be.  Let's hope it stays that effing way!!!!

    • Thanks Timd

      Why the hell does this happen virtually every time a trial varsion is taken down? The thumbnails have always returned to 'normal' after the usual fixes. I've never had to go to these lengths before.

      I probably won't reinstall 2019 -- more trouble than it's worth. But I'm going to have down save all th 2019 files  to 2018 first.

      Couple of questions though; 

      1) Where do I find the 2018 and 2019 shell extensions? My  folder (image on earlier post) is stuffed full of 2020 extensions and nothing else. and 2) do I uninstall these (the 2020 extensions) as well?

      Thanks again

      PS Interested by what you say about the 2020 version - 2019 that works?! I didn't take it after my experience with 2019, not to mention the new financial caper.

      • You can UNINSTALL under SETTINGS > APPS > Corel Graphics - Windows Shell Extension.

        There are other settings without having to uninstall..

         But sounds like u need to get back to what works for you using 2018.

        I spoke too soon. Just had a 2020 CRASH DISAPPEARING ACT like 2019 did.  Lost 20 minutes of work.  NO BACKUP CRASH FILE popped up either at restart.  Whatever.  Should have waited until a couple more Updates show up, but cannot wait a year for that.  Just freaking slow Corel is.  Adobe has the manpower to fix immediately as needed.  Such a shame, CorelDraw is such a great program, but it's being driven into the ground AGAIN. : /

        • I jumped on the Upgrade Protection thing for multiple seats, but there was NO EFFING way paying FULL PRICE for each seat.  I feel for everyone who has to.  This may be the beginning of the end if they keep this up.

          • 1) Where do I find the 2018 and 2019 shell extensions?

            I think that you can install just the shell extension from the ShellExt.msi file.

            On my 2018 installation, that is located in C:\Program Files\Corel\CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2018\Setup\MSIs.

            I would uninstall other shell extensions first.

            I can't guarantee that will work, but I think I have done it that way in the past.

            I set up a machine not too long ago that has X7, X8, 2018, 2019, and 2020. When I was doing the installs, I only selected the Shell Extension when installing 2018.

            • Hi

              Before I embark on a  uninstall of Coreldraw X8, 2018 and 2019 and the present Windows Shell Extension (22.0.411) , am I right in assuming that the correct Windows Shell Extension will come down with the  reinstalling of 2018 from the disc? I won't be bothering with 2019.

              Below is a screenshot of the 2 windows - SETTINGS > APPS > Corel Graphics - Windows Shell Extension. and C:\Program Files\Corel\CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2018\Setup\MSIs.

              Thank you both again for your input - don't know what most of us would do without  people like yourselves.

              • I have seen at least one recommendation that the Windows Shell Extension be uninstalled  (e.g., through Programs and Features > Uninstall or change a program) before uninstalling CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.

                If you are doing a fresh install of CDGS, then yes, the shell extension is one of the options when installing. Since I have multiple versions of CDGS installed, I pay attention to that because I want to deselect it during installation of most versions.

                The reason I mentioned using the .MSI file is that I have done it that way when I had uninstalled one or more versions of the shell extension, and wanted to install a particular version of it.

            • How do I get the proper shell extension (for 2018 and 2019 back. 

              Haven't read through all the answers here so maybe this is already mentioned.

              I assume that the 2020 version of Windows Shell Extension was uninstalled automatically when you removed the trial version, and that there is no other version installed (Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs)?
              If there is, it should be uninstalled.



              Then select the latest version of Draw that you use from the list (which appears to be 2019), click Uninstall/Change and choose the Modify option from the setup program.
              Make sure "Windows Shell Extension" is selected but do not make any other changes.
              (I believe that choosing the Repair option instead should do pretty much the same thing automatically, but I'm not sure)

              • Hi Ronny

                The Corel Graphics - Window Shell Extension in Programs and Features is - Product number 22.0.0.411 Size 2.92- seems the same as in yours.

                Is this the 2020 version? There's no other trace of Coreldraw 2020 in the list.

                Thanks.

                • The Corel Graphics - Window Shell Extension in Programs and Features is - Product number 22.0.0.411 Size 2.92- seems the same as in yours.

                  CorelDraw 2020 is version 22.

                  Is this the 2020 version? There's no other trace of Coreldraw 2020 in the list.

                  Does this verify that uninstalling 2020 did NOT automatically uninstall the 2020 Windows Shell Extension?

                  Recall my comment earlier in the thread about explicitly uninstalling the Windows Shell Extension.

                  • Sorry, I misunderstood you.

                    I was only asking for confirmation that 22.0.0.441 is specifically  the 2020 extension and not a generic one for all Corel products. 

                    Out of interest, why doesn't it depart along with the rest of 2020?

                    • I don't really know what the differences are, if any, between different versions of the Windows Shell Extension.

                      At this time, the only Windows Shell Extension I have loaded is the one from CorelDRAW 2018. Previews for files I have saved from CorelDRAW 2020 work fine (e.g., in Windows Explorer, in my preferred file manager, in other places where a preview is available).

                      To the best of my knowledge, a .CDR file (which is a .ZIP archive) has .PNG files in it for the thumbnail and for each of the pages. I don't know if the shell extensions are essentially "version agnostic", at least in some respects.

                      Out of interest, why doesn't it depart along with the rest of 2020?

                      I wasn't really sure whether it was or wasn't removed automatically, and if so, under what circumstances.

                      I have seen references to removing it separately, and I have seen references to installing just the Windows Shell Extension by using the.msi file.

                      • It is my understanding that you should use WSE from the latest version of the suite that you have installed.
                        Sounds a bit strange that you get thumbnails also for files saved from Draw 2020 if you have the 2018 WSE installed, Eskimo.

                        • Yes, build 22.0.0.411 is the Windows Shell Extension from 2020.

                          It is possible that WSE is left in place when uninstalling the latest version, I'm not sure, but it appears that it is no longer working correctly, based on what you write.

                          Anyway, see if you can remove 2020 and then Modify or Repair your 2019 suite to get the correct version back.