How to disable File Explorer thumbnails on Windows 11

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As someone who has spent countless hours navigating the digital landscape, I can confidently say that the ability to customize your user experience is one of the most satisfying aspects of using a computer. One such customization option is the control over thumbnail previews – those tiny images that pop up when you hover over a file or folder in File Explorer.

In Windows 11, the updated File Explorer has the ability to display previews of files, folders, documents, images, and videos as thumbnails, allowing you a swift look at their content.

While this tool assists in swiftly locating files and folders without the need to open them or check their names, it might lead to a slower browsing experience due to the system’s requirement to preview images for each item it encounters.

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On Windows 11, if you find that File Explorer is taking too long to load files due to disorganized folders or prefer not to use the thumbnail preview feature, you can disable it for improved performance in multiple ways. Fortunately, you can revert this change should you wish to enable thumbnails again later on.

In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you how to turn off (and back on) the display of thumbnails in File Explorer for Windows 11.

Caution: Editing the Registry comes with potential risks. Incorrect modifications could lead to permanent harm for your system installation. To minimize potential issues, it’s advisable to create a complete backup of your device prior to any editing tasks in the Registry.

How to turn thumbnail previews on or off through File Explorer

To manage thumbnail previews through File Explorer on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Click the “See more” menu and choose Options.
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  1. Click the View tab.
  2. (Option 1) Check the “Always show icons, never thumbnails” option to turn off the feature.
  1. (Option 2) Clear the “Always show icons, never thumbnails” option to turn on the feature.
  2. Click the Apply button.
  3. Click the OK button.

After following the given instructions, you’ll find that the settings within File Explorer have been adjusted to display or hide thumbnail previews for your files and folders.

How to turn thumbnail previews on or off through Settings

To enable or disable thumbnail previews from Settings, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click the About page on the right side.
  1. Click the Advanced system settings option.
  1. Click the Advanced tab.
  2. Click the Settings button under the “Performance” section.
  1. Click the Visual Effects tab.
  2. (Option 1) Clear the “Show thumbnails instead of icons” option to turn off the feature.
  1. (Option 2) Check the “Show thumbnails instead of icons ” option to turn on the feature.
  2. Click the Apply button.
  3. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, File Explorer will no longer show previews for files and folders.

How to turn thumbnail previews on or off through Group Policy

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To control thumbnail previews from Group Policy, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for gpedit and click the top result to open the Group Policy Editor.
  3. Browse the following path: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
  4. Right-click the “Turn off the display of thumbnails and only display icons” policy and choose the Edit option.
  1. (Option 1) Choose the Enabled option to turn off the feature.
  1. (Option 2) Choose the Not configured option to turn on the feature.
  2. Click the Apply button.
  3. Click the OK button.

After finishing the process, the policy automatically adjusts your computer’s settings to either display or hide thumbnail previews.

How to turn thumbnail previews on or off through Registry

To use the Registry to disable or re-enable thumbnail previews on Windows 11, use these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.
  3. Browse the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
  4. Right-click the Explorer key, choose New, and select the DWORD (32-bit) Value option (if applicable).
  1. Confirm the DisableThumbnails name for the DWORD and press Enter.
  2. Right-click the newly created DWORD and choose the Modify option.
  3. Change the value from 0 to 1.
  1. Click the OK button.
  2. Browse the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
  3. Right-click the Explorer key, choose New, and select the DWORD (32-bit) Value option (if applicable).
  1. Confirm the DisableThumbnails name for the DWORD and press Enter.
  2. Right-click the newly created DWORD and choose the Modify option.
  3. Change the value from 0 to 1.
  1. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, you may still need to restart the computer to apply the settings.

If you change your mind, you can revert the changes by following the same steps, but on steps 7 and 14, change the DisableThumbnails DWORD value to 0.

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2024-11-15 16:09