This article shows how to view thumbnails of images inside folders in Windows 10. This view mode should be enabled by default on all computers running Windows 10, however on some versions of this operating system the display of thumbnails of the images is disabled. To enable previewing of images, you need to change the settings in the "File Explorer" window as well as verify that the folder containing the images adopts a display mode that supports previews.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Enable Image Previews
Step 1. Open a new "File Explorer" window by clicking the icon
It features a small folder and is located at the bottom left of the desktop. Alternatively, press the key combination ⊞ Win + E.
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If there is no "File Explorer" window shortcut icon on the left side of the Windows taskbar, access the menu Start clicking the icon
Windowsstart type in the keywords browse file, then select the entry File Explorer appeared at the top of the results list.
Step 2. Navigate to the folder you want
Use the left sidebar of the "File Explorer" window to open the folder that contains the images you want to enable previewing.
Step 3. Go to the View tab
It is located in the upper left of the "File Explorer" window. Its toolbar will appear.
Step 4. Select the Options icon
It is located on the right side of the toolbar. It is characterized by a small window inside which there is a series of check marks. A new dialog will appear.
Step 5. Go to the View tab
It is located at the top of the newly appeared window.
Step 6. Uncheck the "Always show icons, never previews" checkbox
It is located within the "Files and Folders" section of the "Advanced Settings" pane.
- If you can't locate the indicated check button, double-click the "Files and Folders" icon to expand its menu.
- If the "Always show icons, never previews" checkbox is already unchecked, you may need to fix errors in their cache to restore display of image previews.
Step 7. Press the Apply buttons successively And OK.
Both are located in the lower right part of the window. The new settings will be saved and applied and the "Folder Options" dialog will close.
Step 8. Make sure the chosen folder adopts the correct viewing mode
In order for image previews to be visible on the screen, you must use a compatible icon display mode (for example, the Very large icons). To change the current view mode, follow these instructions:
- Access the card View;
- Choose one of the following options in the "Layout" pane of the ribbon: Very large icons, Large icons, Medium icons, Panes or Content.
Method 2 of 2: Reset the Preview Cache
Step 1. Find out when you need to perform this procedure
Windows 10 is equipped with a cache dedicated to storing the preview of each image on the computer. If for any reason the contents of this cache should become corrupted, the thumbnail images may not be displayed correctly. If you have already enabled previewing, clearing the preview cache may solve problems with viewing such items.
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 3. Launch the "Disk Cleanup" app
Type the keywords disk cleanup into the "Start" menu, then select the icon Cleaning disk when it appears at the top of the results list. A pop-up window will appear.
To properly display the "Disk Cleanup" dialog box, you may need to click the icon that appears on the Windows taskbar
Step 4. Scroll through the list in the "Files to delete" box to select the "Preview" check button
You can choose whether or not to select the other options present, but make sure that the indicated check button is selected.
Step 5. Press the OK button
It is located at the bottom of the window.
Step 6. Press the Delete Files button when prompted
This will clear the cache for the preview icons.
Step 7. Wait for the disk cleanup to complete
This step can take several minutes, especially if this is your first time doing this procedure. When the "Disk Cleanup" window disappears you can continue.
Step 8. Access the desired folder again
Open the folder that contains the files whose preview icon you want to appear. After a few moments the traditional file icons should turn into previews.
Step 9. Turn on preview display if needed
If the preview of the images still does not appear within the chosen folder, you may need to deselect the check button "Always show icons, never previews" and make sure you have chosen one of the display modes that support image previews.
