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How to Restore PDF Icons in Windows File Explorer with OneDrive
Question details
The user needs to restore proper PDF icons and thumbnails in Windows File Explorer, which have been altered or disabled due to OneDrive synchronization or conflicting folder view settings.
- Product
- Windows File Explorer
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Navigating folders with PDF files while OneDrive synchronization is enabled, attempting to balance PDF icon displays with image file previews.
- Observed behavior
- PDF icons are missing, displaying browser icons, or text is too small in List/Details view. Enabling 'show icons instead of thumbnails' fixes PDF icons but breaks image previews.
Ensure your Windows operating system is up to date and verify that your OneDrive client is signed in and syncing files properly without network errors.
Set a Dedicated Default PDF Application
Assigning a dedicated PDF reader instead of a web browser as your default app restores standard PDF document icons in Windows.
By default, Windows may associate PDF files with web browsers like Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, which changes the file icon. Setting a dedicated PDF application ensures the system pulls the correct icon graphics.
Right-click on any PDF file in File Explorer and hover over 'Open with' in the context menu.
Click on 'Choose another app' from the submenu to open the application selection dialog.
Select your dedicated PDF reader from the list, check the box that says 'Always use this app to open .pdf files', and click 'OK'.
Adjust File Explorer Folder Options
Modify Windows Folder Options to ensure the system is correctly instructed to show thumbnails or icons depending on your preference.
Configure OneDrive Files On-Demand
Ensure files are downloaded locally so Windows can accurately generate their thumbnails and icons.
Use WPS PDF to Restore Default PDF Icons
WPS Office includes a robust and lightweight PDF reader. Setting WPS PDF as your default application automatically restores standard, easily recognizable PDF icons in Windows File Explorer, eliminating conflicts caused by browser associations or OneDrive sync.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office from the official website to add the PDF reader to your system.
- 2. Set as Default Reader: During the initial setup or by right-clicking a PDF file and selecting 'Open with', choose WPS PDF and set it as the default application.
- 3. Refresh File Explorer: Open the folder containing your PDFs and press the F5 key on your keyboard to refresh the view and display the new icons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my PDFs show Chrome or Edge icons instead of PDF icons?
This happens when your default PDF handler is set to a web browser instead of a dedicated PDF reader. Changing the default app to a dedicated PDF software via the 'Open with' menu restores the standard PDF document icon.
Can I show PDF thumbnails and image thumbnails at the same time in Windows?
Yes, provided your default PDF reader supports generating shell thumbnails. If 'Always show icons, never thumbnails' is unchecked in Folder Options, supported applications will render the first page of the PDF as a thumbnail alongside your standard image previews.
Does OneDrive Files On-Demand affect PDF icons?
Yes. If a file is only stored in the cloud (indicated by a blue cloud icon), Windows may struggle to generate a thumbnail preview or specific icon until the file is physically downloaded to your local drive.
Why is the text too small to read in File Explorer's List or Details view?
List and Details views use a very small icon size by design. If you struggle to identify files by icon alone in these views, you can switch to 'Medium icons' or 'Large icons' under the View tab, or rely on sorting files by the 'Type' column in Details view.
