Show or Hide Thumbnails in Windows 10

Windows 10 can show picture previews in File Explorer or replace them with generic icons. Change one setting to control thumbnails across folders, or adjust a folder’s view if you only want to change how files are displayed there. You’ll need access to the Windows account and File Explorer.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC and access to File Explorer.
Optional: an image or video file to check whether thumbnails appear after changing the setting.

Step-by-Step

Open File Explorer. Select its folder icon on the taskbar, or press Windows+E. Browse to a folder containing pictures or videos so you can see the result.
Open Folder Options. In File Explorer, select the View tab, then select Options on the right. Depending on your window size, the button may appear as Options or under a small menu. Choose Change folder and search options if that menu is shown.
Find the thumbnail setting. In the Folder Options dialog, select the View tab. Under Advanced settings, look for Always show icons, never thumbnails.
Show thumbnails. To display image previews, clear the checkbox beside Always show icons, never thumbnails. Select Apply, then OK. File Explorer should show previews where the file type and view support them.
Hide thumbnails. To replace previews with icons, check Always show icons, never thumbnails, select Apply, and then select OK. This setting applies broadly to File Explorer folders, not just the folder currently open.
Check the folder’s view. If thumbnails are enabled but you still cannot see them, select View and choose Medium icons, Large icons, or Extra large icons. Details and List views display file names and information rather than large picture previews; switch to an icon view to inspect thumbnails.
Refresh the display. If the setting seems to have no effect, press F5 in the folder, or close and reopen File Explorer. Open another folder containing a different image to check whether the change is taking effect.

Common Mistakes

Changing the checkbox in the wrong direction: Checking Always show icons, never thumbnails hides previews. Clear it to show thumbnails.
Expecting the setting to affect only one folder: The checkbox is a File Explorer-wide preference. Folder-specific display choices, such as icon size, can be set separately.
Staying in Details or List view: These layouts are designed to show rows of file information, not large image previews. Choose an icon view when you want to inspect thumbnails.
Assuming every file gets a preview: Windows may not create thumbnails for an unsupported file type, a damaged file, or a file whose preview handler is unavailable.
Closing Folder Options without applying: Select Apply and OK after changing the checkbox so the preference is saved.

Tips

Choose an icon size that makes previews useful. Medium, Large, and Extra large icons can all show previews, but larger sizes make details easier to recognize and use more screen space.
Use the same steps to reverse the change. To switch back, reopen Folder Options and toggle Always show icons, never thumbnails to the opposite state.
Consider performance and privacy. Showing previews can make browsing image folders easier, but Windows has to generate and display them. If you prefer generic icons or want to avoid visible picture previews, turn them off.
Check the file itself. Try a standard image file you know opens correctly. If that file has a thumbnail but another file does not, the issue may be that file’s format or condition rather than the global setting.

Troubleshooting

Thumbnails are still hidden after you cleared the checkbox. Return to Folder Options > View and confirm the checkbox is clear, then select Apply and OK. Switch the folder to Medium, Large, or Extra large icons and refresh with F5. If necessary, close and reopen File Explorer.

Only some images show previews. Check whether the files that lack previews open normally and whether they are in a format Windows can preview. Test a different image. If only one file or format is affected, the setting may be working correctly while Windows cannot generate that particular preview.

Videos show icons instead of preview frames. Video thumbnails depend on the file format and installed Windows components that handle previews. Test another video and confirm that the global checkbox is clear. Some videos may continue to show an icon even when image thumbnails work.

Previews disappeared after changing the folder layout. Select an icon view from the View tab. Details and List views prioritize file information, so they are not the right layout for viewing large thumbnails.

The setting changes back or is unavailable. A managed work or school computer may have settings controlled by an administrator. If the checkbox cannot be changed or the preference repeatedly resets, contact the person who manages the device rather than trying to override its policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I show thumbnails in Windows 10?
In File Explorer, open View > Options > View, clear Always show icons, never thumbnails, and select Apply and OK.

How do I hide thumbnails and show icons instead?
Check Always show icons, never thumbnails in Folder Options, then apply the change. File Explorer will use icons instead of previews where supported.

Can I change thumbnails for just one folder?
The checkbox that disables thumbnails is a general File Explorer setting. You can change a folder’s icon layout separately, but that checkbox is not limited to the currently open folder.

Why do thumbnails not appear in Details view?
Details view displays files in rows with columns such as name and date. Switch to Medium, Large, or Extra large icons to see image previews.

Why do some files still have generic icons?
Windows may not support previews for that file type, or the file may be damaged. Try a different file that opens correctly to distinguish a file-specific issue from a general setting problem.

Will hiding thumbnails delete my pictures?
No. It changes how File Explorer displays files; it does not delete or alter the pictures and videos themselves.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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