How to Show Thumbnails in Windows 11?

Are you looking for a guide to help you show thumbnails in Windows 11? If yes, then you have come to the right place. In this article, you will learn the step-by-step process of displaying thumbnails in Windows 11. We will explain the various settings available in Windows 11 that can help you view thumbnails in the most efficient way. So, let’s get started!

How to View Thumbnails in Windows 11?

Windows 11 offers an easy way to view thumbnails of images and other media files. Thumbnails are small versions of the original file, which can help you quickly identify it without having to open the file. This article will cover how to view thumbnails in Windows 11, including how to customize the size and appearance of the thumbnails.

Enabling Thumbnails in Windows 11

The first step to being able to view thumbnails in Windows 11 is to enable the feature. To do this, open File Explorer and select the ‘View’ tab at the top of the window. Then, make sure the ‘Thumbnails’ option is checked. This will make thumbnails visible for every file in the folder.

Customizing the Size of Thumbnails

You can customize the size of the thumbnails in Windows 11 by clicking the ‘View’ tab and selecting ‘Options’. This will open the Folder Options window, where you can adjust the thumbnail size. You can also choose to display file names under thumbnails, which may be helpful when you’re trying to identify a file.

Viewing Thumbnails of Specific File Types

If you want to view thumbnails of specific file types, you can do so by clicking the ‘View’ tab and selecting ‘Choose Details’. This will open the Choose Details window, where you can tick the boxes next to the file types you want to view thumbnails of. This is useful if you’re looking for a specific type of file in a folder.

Changing the Appearance of Thumbnails

You can also customize the appearance of the thumbnails in Windows 11. To do this, open the Folder Options window and select the ‘View’ tab. Then, choose the ‘Advanced Settings’ option and make sure the ‘Display file icon on thumbnails’ box is ticked. This will give you the option to choose a different icon for each type of file.

Viewing Animated Thumbnails

If you have a file that contains an animation, you can view it as a thumbnail in Windows 11. To do this, open the file in an image editor and then select the ‘Save As’ option. Then, choose the ‘Save as GIF’ option and select the ‘Animated GIF’ checkbox. This will create an animated thumbnail of the file, which you can view in File Explorer.

Creating Thumbnails of Multiple Files

You can also create thumbnails of multiple files at once in Windows 11. To do this, select the files you want to create thumbnails of and then right-click them. This will open a context menu, where you can select the ‘Create Thumbnails’ option. This will generate thumbnails for all of the selected files.

Conclusion

Windows 11 makes it easy to view thumbnails of images and other media files. You can enable thumbnails in File Explorer, customize the size and appearance of the thumbnails, and even create thumbnails of multiple files at once. With these steps, you’ll be able to quickly identify the files you’re looking for.

Few Frequently Asked Questions

What are thumbnails in Windows 11?

Thumbnails are small image previews of the content of files and folders in Windows 11. Thumbnails are generated for most image files, and additionally for some video and audio files, and for documents such as PDFs. Thumbnails make it easier to identify and manage files, by allowing users to quickly view a preview of a file’s contents.

How do I show thumbnails in Windows 11?

In Windows 11, thumbnails are displayed in File Explorer by default. To ensure thumbnails are displayed, open File Explorer, click the View tab at the top of the window, and select the “Large icons”, “Medium icons”, or “Extra large icons” option. Additionally, you can ensure thumbnails are always displayed by checking the “Always show icons, never thumbnails” option in the View tab.

What if I still can’t see thumbnails in Windows 11?

If you’re still not seeing thumbnails, you may need to adjust your system settings. Open the Settings app and go to System > Display. Scroll down to the “Scale and layout” section and set the “Change the size of text, apps, and other items” drop-down to a value of 100%.

What types of files can have thumbnails in Windows 11?

In Windows 11, thumbnails are generated for most image files, and additionally for some video and audio files, and for documents such as PDFs. Additionally, Windows 11 supports thumbnail previews for many other types of files, such as Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and more.

Is there a way to customize thumbnails in Windows 11?

Yes, Windows 11 allows users to customize the size of thumbnails. Open File Explorer, click the View tab at the top of the window, and select the “Large icons”, “Medium icons”, or “Extra large icons” option. Additionally, the “Always show icons, never thumbnails” option in the View tab can be used to always display icons rather than thumbnails.

How do I clear the thumbnails cache in Windows 11?

To clear the thumbnails cache in Windows 11, open File Explorer and click on “This PC” in the navigation pane. Right-click on the drive where Windows 11 is installed, select “Properties”, then select the “Disk Cleanup” button. Check the “Thumbnails” option and select the “OK” button. Confirm the action by selecting the “Delete Files” button.

In conclusion, showing thumbnails of your files in Windows 11 is an easy task. All you have to do is open the File Explorer, click on the View tab, select the checkbox for ‘Always show icons, never thumbnails’, and you’re all set! This will make navigating and accessing your files easier and faster since you can preview the files and folders directly from the File Explorer. So, take advantage of this useful feature and make the most out of your Windows 11 experience!