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Thumbnails Are Not Showing in Windows 10: 12 Ways to Fix
Get your thumbnails back by adjusting a couple of simple settings
6 min. read
Updated onJuly 23, 2024
updated onJuly 23, 2024
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Thumbnails are helpful, but unfortunately, many reported that thumbnail previews are not showing in Windows 10. Many others complained thatfolder thumbnails are not showing in Windows 11either. Here, we will show you how to fix this issue permanently on your PC.
Why are my thumbnails not showing the pictures?
Here is why Windows 10 thumbnails are not showing:
What can I do if Windows 10 thumbnails are not showing?
1. Check File Explorer Options
2. Restore File Explorer Options to default
This solution can also helpspeed up a slow File Explorer, so be sure to try it.
3. Run a quick SFC scan
4. Use Disk Cleanup to remove your thumbnails
If you’re an advanced user, you can remove the thumbnail cache by using Command Prompt as shown below:
This solution can also be useful to take care ofPDF thumbnails that are not showingon Windows PCs. Such issues may affect any type of file and prevent the user from organizing their desktop and local files.
5. Restore default settings for the problematic folder
6. Check advanced system settings
7. Use the Group Policy Editor
There’s also another method you can use to fix the missing thumbnails. To do that, follow these simple steps:
Once you change these settings, check if thumbnail previews not showing in Windows 10 issue is still there.
8. Scan your system for spyware
To perform a detailed scan, we will recommend using dedicatedantivirus software, such asESET NOD32. This tool uses cutting-edge technology and advanced machine learning to detect and remove the most stubborn malware on your PC.
9. Set a different default application for affected files
After making these changes, check if the problem is resolved.
10. Modify your registry
After making these changes, the problem with thumbnail previews not showing in Windows 10 should be gone.
11. Prevent Windows from deleting your thumbnail cache
Thumbnails are pretty helpful, and many users prefer using them over icons. If, for some reason, thumbnail previews aren’t showing, this guide should help yourestore thumbnails in Windows 10.
OurRestoring Google Thumbnails: A guide with easy waysarticle can also help you if you’re having thumbnail issues on Google, so don’t miss it.
Let us know the solution that worked for you in the comments below.
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
Reviewed byVlad Turiceanu
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.More about Vlad ›
