Solved How do I change all thumbnails to the actual picture?


T

therealsimpsons

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Win 11 64-Bit Home
If this post is in the wrong place, feel free to move it.

Recently, (I think after someone used my PC - no names :-)), all of my .jpg, .jpeg, .png, etc files, in the PICTURES folder, or the DESKTOP, or in plugged in external drives, show only the thumb nail that looks like the attached picture.

How can I default all of them to show the picture without opening Photos?

Thank you.

TRS
 
Windows Build/Version
25H2

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2026-09-07 082206.webp
    Screenshot 2026-09-07 082206.webp
    130.1 KB · Views: 1

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 64-Bit Home12 Gen Intel i7-12700K 360 GHz32 GBEVGA Nividia GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
OS
Win 11 64-Bit Home
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom Build
CPU
12 Gen Intel i7-12700K 360 GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte B760M
Memory
32 GB
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EVGA Nividia GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
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None
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Dell 32in curved
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2560 x 1440
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Samsung 1 TB SSD M.2 970 EVO Nvme PicIe 3.0 x 4
Seagate 2 TB SATA 7200 RPM 64MB
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Apevia 800W GOLD
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It looks like Windows has switched to showing icons instead of thumbnails.
  1. Open File Explorer Options > View tab
  2. Uncheck Always show icons, never thumbnails
  3. Apply
Then rebuild the thumbnail cache: Clear and Reset Thumbnail Cache in Windows 11

Also check System Properties > Performance Options to ensure Show thumbnails instead of icons is enabled.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9168AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9168
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.9168
Hello, :alien:

Double check using the tutorial below to make you have thumbnail previews enabled.

www.elevenforum.com

Enable or Disable Thumbnail Previews in File Explorer in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable thumbnail previews on files and folders in File Explorer for your account, 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...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
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    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
I use Sordum's portable ReIconCache program for a one click reset/clear thumbnail cache.

www.sordum.org

Rebuild Shell Icon Cache v1.3

Rebuild Shell Icon Cache is a potable freeware Application and it will repair (renew or Refresh) and Fix the preview of the Windows Icons
www.sordum.org www.sordum.org
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win 11 ProAMD Ryzen™ 7 7730U24GB Dual-Channel DDR4 @ 1596MHz (22-22-22-52)512MB ATI AMD Radeon Graphics (ASUStek Comput...
    OS
    Win 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 7 7730U
    Motherboard
    M1605YA
    Memory
    24GB Dual-Channel DDR4 @ 1596MHz (22-22-22-52)
    Graphics Card(s)
    512MB ATI AMD Radeon Graphics (ASUStek Computer Inc)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1200@60Hz) - P1 PLUS (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1200
    Hard Drives
    953GB Western Digital WD
    PSU
    45 Watts
    Mouse
    Lenovo Bluetooth.
    Internet Speed
    500 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender

  • At a glance

    Windows 11AMD Ryzen 7 5800H / 3.2 GHz32 GB DDR4 SDRAM 3200 MHzNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
    Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ACER NITRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H / 3.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    CZ Scala_CAS (FP6)
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4 SDRAM 3200 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio. NVIDIA High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" LED backlight 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 144 Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB NVMe M.2
    PSU
    180 Watt, 19.5 V
    Mouse
    Lenovo Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    500 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
Tried the first suggestion, and it worked.

Sincere thank you to all responders. 🏆
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 64-Bit Home12 Gen Intel i7-12700K 360 GHz32 GBEVGA Nividia GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
OS
Win 11 64-Bit Home
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom Build
CPU
12 Gen Intel i7-12700K 360 GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte B760M
Memory
32 GB
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA Nividia GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
Sound Card
None
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 32in curved
Screen Resolution
2560 x 1440
Hard Drives
Samsung 1 TB SSD M.2 970 EVO Nvme PicIe 3.0 x 4
Seagate 2 TB SATA 7200 RPM 64MB
PSU
Apevia 800W GOLD
Case
Apevia ENZO
Cooling
2 Case Fans, ZeroTherm ZT100 Thermal Grease
Keyboard
Logitech K360
Mouse
Logitech GS 502 Hero
Internet Speed
650 mbps
Browser
Duck Duck Go
Antivirus
Webroot Anywhere
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