How to Disable Thumbnail Previews in Windows 11 File Explorer

Understanding how to manage and configure Windows 11's File Explorer can significantly enhance your experience. One particular feature that often goes unnoticed yet can improve performance is the thumbnail previews. If you've found that these previews are slowing down your browsing experience or perhaps you simply don't like them, fear not! Disabling these thumbnail previews is straightforward, and this guide will walk you through the various methods to accomplish it.

Why Disable Thumbnails?​

File Explorer in Windows 11 is designed to assist users by providing visual previews of their files directly within the folder view. While this can be beneficial—allowing users to quickly identify files—thumbnail previews can also hinder performance, particularly if you're working with numerous media files or have a cluttered directory. Disabling thumbnails can lead to faster browsing speeds, less memory usage, and a more streamlined experience.

Methods to Disable Thumbnails​

There are several ways to disable thumbnail previews in Windows 11, each catering to different user preferences and expertise levels. Let’s dive into the details.

Method 1: Using File Explorer Options​

1. Open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon in your taskbar or by pressing Windows + E.
2. In the upper-right corner, click on the "See more" menu (represented by three dots) and select Options.
3. Navigate to the View tab.
4. To disable thumbnails, check the option that says "Always show icons, never thumbnails." If you want to re-enable them later, you can simply uncheck this option.
5. Click the Apply button and then OK to save your changes.

Method 2: Through Windows Settings​

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Click on System, then navigate to the About page.
3. Scroll down and select Advanced system settings.
4. In the Performance section, click the Settings button.
5. Go to the Visual Effects tab.
6. Here, you can uncheck "Show thumbnails instead of icons" to disable the feature or check it to enable thumbnails.
7. Hit Apply and then OK to confirm.

Method 3: Using Group Policy Editor (For Windows Pro and Enterprise Editions)​

1. Search for gpedit.msc in the Start menu and open the Group Policy Editor.
2. Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer.
3. Find "Turn off the display of thumbnails and only display icons".
4. Right-click on it and select Edit.
5. Choose the Enabled option to turn off thumbnail previews, or select Not Configured to enable them again.
6. Click Apply and OK to save your settings.

Method 4: Modifying the Windows Registry​

Caution: Editing the Registry incorrectly can cause significant issues with your system. Always back up essential data before making changes.

1. Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Start menu.
2. Navigate to the following path:
   

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

3. Right-click on the Explorer key, select New, and choose DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. Name it DisableThumbnails.
5. Right-click on the new DWORD, choose Modify, and set its value to 1 to disable thumbnails (set it to 0 to enable).
6. You may also want to repeat these steps in:
   

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

7. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Conclusion​

By implementing any of these methods, you can effectively manage the thumbnail previews in Windows 11's File Explorer. Whether you opt for a straightforward change via File Explorer options or take a deep dive into the Windows Registry, disabling thumbnails provides a practical solution for users experiencing performance issues or simply those who prefer a cleaner interface.

Final Thoughts​

Feel free to revisit these settings whenever you change your mind—Windows 11 is all about flexibility! If you encounter any issues or have questions about the process, don’t hesitate to join the conversation on our forums. Happy exploring!

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Source: Windows Central How to disable File Explorer thumbnails on Windows 11