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How to Restore JPG Thumbnail Previews in Windows File Explorer
Question details
Users need to restore picture thumbnail previews in Windows File Explorer when generic image icons are displayed instead.
- Product
- Windows File Explorer
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Browsing folders containing JPG pictures and attempting to view visual previews of the files.
- Observed behavior
- File Explorer displays generic JPG icons rather than the actual image thumbnails, preventing picture previews from appearing in any folder layout.
Ensure your File Explorer folder layout is set to 'Medium icons', 'Large icons', or 'Extra large icons', as thumbnails cannot render in the List or Details view.
Disable the 'Always show icons, never thumbnails' Option
Adjust the File Explorer Folder Options to allow the system to generate and display image thumbnails instead of default icons.
Windows File Explorer includes a performance setting that forces all files to display as generic icons. If this setting is accidentally enabled, all picture previews will disappear. Disabling it restores normal thumbnail generation.
Open Windows File Explorer, navigate to your picture folder, and click on the 'View' tab located at the top of the window. Click on 'Options' to open the Folder Options dialog.
In the Folder Options window, switch from the General tab to the 'View' tab to access advanced settings.
Scroll through the Advanced settings list, locate the checkbox labeled 'Always show icons, never thumbnails', and uncheck it.
Click 'Apply' and then 'OK'. Your JPG picture thumbnails should now successfully generate and appear in the folder.
Use WPS Photos for Reliable Image Viewing
If Windows File Explorer continues to struggle with rendering image thumbnails, use the WPS Photos tool built into WPS Office to effortlessly browse, manage, and view your JPG files with high-quality previews.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and complete the installation on your Windows PC.
- 2. Open WPS Photos: Launch the WPS Office suite, navigate to the Tools section, and select 'WPS Photos' to open the dedicated image viewer.
- 3. Browse Your Picture Folders: Use WPS Photos to navigate to your image directories. It will automatically generate and display high-quality thumbnails for all your pictures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my JPG thumbnails suddenly turn into generic icons?
This commonly happens due to a recent Windows update, accidental changes to folder view settings, or if the Windows thumbnail cache has become corrupted.
What should I do if changing the Folder Options doesn't restore thumbnails?
If unchecking 'Always show icons' doesn't work, you may need to clear your thumbnail cache. You can do this by searching for 'Disk Cleanup' in the Windows start menu, selecting your primary drive, checking the 'Thumbnails' box, and clicking OK to clear them.
Does this setting fix thumbnail issues for other image formats like PNG?
Yes. The 'Always show icons, never thumbnails' setting applies globally to all media types supported by Windows File Explorer, including PNG, GIF, and video files.
