how to fix file explorer not showing thumbnails windows 11,How to Fix File Explorer Not Showing Thumbnails in Windows 11

How to Fix File Explorer Not Showing Thumbnails in Windows 11

Are you facing the issue where your Windows 11 File Explorer is not displaying thumbnails for your images and videos? This can be quite frustrating, especially when you’re trying to quickly identify files. Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many users have reported this issue, and there are several ways to fix it. Let’s dive into the details.

Check Your File Explorer Settings

Before you start troubleshooting, it’s essential to ensure that your File Explorer settings are configured to display thumbnails. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on the “View” tab at the top.
3. Look for the “Thumbnails” option and make sure it’s checked.

If the Thumbnails option is already checked, move on to the next step.

Clear the File Explorer Cache

Over time, the File Explorer cache can become corrupted, leading to issues like thumbnails not displaying. Clearing the cache can often resolve this problem. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “%localappdata%MicrosoftWindowsExplorer” and press Enter.
3. Locate the “Thumbnails” folder and delete it.
4. Restart your computer.

This should clear the cache and force File Explorer to generate new thumbnails.

Check for Windows Updates

Outdated Windows versions can sometimes cause issues with File Explorer. Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date by following these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Go to “Update & Security” > “Windows Update” > “Check for updates.”
3. Install any available updates.

After updating, restart your computer and check if the thumbnails are displaying.

Reset File Explorer

If the above steps don’t work, you can try resetting File Explorer to its default settings. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin).”
2. Enter the following command and press Enter:

reg.exe ADD HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer /v "DisableThumbnails" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

This command will disable thumbnails temporarily. To re-enable them, enter the following command:

reg.exe ADD HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer /v "DisableThumbnails" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Restart your computer and check if the thumbnails are displaying.

Check for Third-Party Software Conflicts

Some third-party software can interfere with File Explorer’s functionality. If you recently installed any new software, try uninstalling it to see if it resolves the issue. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Go to “Apps” > “Apps & features.”
3. Select the software you want to uninstall and click “Uninstall.”

After uninstalling the software, restart your computer and check if the thumbnails are displaying.

Reinstall File Explorer

If none of the above steps work, you can try reinstalling File Explorer. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin).”
2. Enter the following command and press Enter:

Get-AppxPackage -Name "Microsoft.Windows.FileExplorer" | Remove-AppxPackage

This command will remove File Explorer from your system. After removing it, restart your computer and wait for a few minutes. Windows will automatically reinstall File