Alex Ruben
How to Resolve Video Thumbnail Issues in Windows File Explorer
Are you frustrated because your video thumbnails aren’t showing in Windows File Explorer? This common issue can be resolved with a few straightforward steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the necessary actions to enable video thumbnail previews again. By following this tutorial, you’ll learn how to adjust settings, clear caches, and ensure proper file associations, ultimately leading to a more organized and visually appealing file browsing experience on your Windows 10 or 11 PC.
Before you begin, ensure that you have administrative access to your computer. This guide is tailored for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 users, and it is applicable to desktops and laptops alike.
Step 1: Disable ‘Always Show Icons’ Option
The first step is to check the settings in File Explorer to ensure that video thumbnails are enabled. To do this, follow these instructions:
- Click on the Search bar on your taskbar and type in
File Explorer Options. Select it from the search results. - In the File Explorer Options window, navigate to the View tab.
- Look for the option labeled Always show icons, never thumbnails. If this box is checked, uncheck it to allow thumbnails to be displayed.
- Click OK to save your changes.
Step 2: Adjust Performance Settings for Thumbnail Previews
Next, you will need to adjust your system’s performance settings to ensure thumbnails are displayed instead of icons. Follow these steps:
- Again, use the Search bar to type in
Adjust the appearance and performance of Windowsand select it from the results. - In the Performance Options window, ensure that the checkbox for Show thumbnails instead of icons is checked.
- Click OK to apply these changes.
Step 3: Resolve Video File Associations
If thumbnails still do not appear, the issue might be related to file associations. Sometimes, Windows may not recognize the video file format correctly. To fix this:
- Right-click on any video file, choose Open with, and then select Choose another app.
- Pick your preferred media player from the list and check the box that says Always use this app to open .[your video format].
- Click OK to set the association.
Step 4: Clear Thumbnail Cache
Clearing the thumbnail cache can help restore missing video thumbnails. Here’s how to do it:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type in
cleanmgrand hit Enter. - Select the drive where Windows is installed (usually
C:) and click OK. - In the Disk Cleanup window, check the option for Thumbnails and click OK to remove the cache.
Step 5: Verify System Settings for Thumbnail Previews
Finally, ensure that your system settings allow for thumbnail previews. This is crucial for displaying video thumbnails correctly:
- Open Settings and navigate to System.
- Select Storage and make sure that the Storage Sense feature is configured correctly, allowing for thumbnail previews.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
If you continue to experience issues with video thumbnails, consider the following tips:
- Ensure that your video files are not corrupted, as this can prevent thumbnails from appearing.
- Update your video drivers, as outdated drivers can also lead to thumbnail display issues.
- Check for Windows updates, as these can often resolve underlying system bugs.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you should be able to restore video thumbnails in Windows File Explorer successfully. This not only enhances the visual organization of your files but also improves your overall user experience. If you encounter any further issues, consider seeking additional technical support or exploring further guides to troubleshoot specific problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my video thumbnails not showing?
Video thumbnails may not appear due to settings that are configured to show icons only, file association issues, or a corrupted thumbnail cache.
How can I speed up thumbnail generation?
To speed up thumbnail generation, ensure that your system settings are optimized for performance, and consider clearing the thumbnail cache regularly.
Is this guide applicable for both Windows 10 and 11?
Yes, these steps are applicable for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems.