This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable thumbnail previews only on network files and folders in File Explorer for all users or specific users in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
File Explorer can display thumbnail previews (image) or icons on files and folders in Windows.
If you select to show icons instead of thumbnail previews, File Explorer will show the icon of the default app on the file instead of an image.
If wanted, you can disable showing thumbnail previews only on network files and folders in File Explorer without disabling thumbnail previews on local files and folders.
You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable thumbnail previews on network files and folders.
Thumbnail previews will not show while using a Small icons, List, or Details folder layout.
If you change a folder picture, the picture will show as the thumbnail preview.
If you change a folder icon, it will show the icon instead of the thumbnail preview.
Contents
- Option One: Enable or Disable Thumbnail Previews on Network Files and Folders for All or Specific Users in Group Policy
- Option Two: Enable or Disable Thumbnail Previews on Network Files and Folders for all users using REG file
EXAMPLE: Thumbnail previews on network files and folders enabled and disabled in File Explorer
Enable or Disable Thumbnail Previews on Network Files and Folders for All or Specific Users in Group Policy
The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.
All editions can use Option Two to configure the same policy.
1 Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.
2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
3 In the right pane of the File Explorer policy, double click/tap on Turn off the display of thumbnails and only display icons on network folders to edit it. (see screenshot above)
4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you want.
5 Enable Thumbnail Previews on Network Files and Folders in File Explorer for All or Specific Users
This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)
6 Disable Thumbnail Previews on Network Files and Folders in File Explorer for All or Specific Users
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7. (see screenshot below)
7 Close the Local Group Policy Editor.
8 Either restart the explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.
Enable or Disable Thumbnail Previews on Network Files and Folders for all users using REG file
1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you want.
2 Enable Thumbnail Previews on Network Files and Folders in File Explorer for All Users
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4.
Enable_thumbnail_preiverws_on_network_locations_in_File_Explorer_for_all_users.reg
Download
(Content of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"DisableThumbnailsOnNetworkFolders"=-
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"DisableThumbnailsOnNetworkFolders"=-3 Disable Thumbnail Previews on Network Files and Folders in File Explorer for All Users
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4.
Disable_thumbnail_preiverws_on_network_locations_in_File_Explorer_for_all_users.reg
Download
(Content of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"DisableThumbnailsOnNetworkFolders"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"DisableThumbnailsOnNetworkFolders"=dword:000000014 Save the REG file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded REG file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 Either restart explorer process, sign out and sign in, or restart the computer to apply.
8 You can now delete the downloaded REG file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
