Why is my ‘explorateur Windows 11 n’affiche pas les miniatures’?

I’ve been encountering an issue with my Windows 11 File Explorer where it refuses to display thumbnails for my files. This problem is quite frustrating because I heavily rely on visual cues to quickly identify my documents, images, and videos. Instead of seeing thumbnail previews, all I get are default icons, which significantly slows down my productivity. I checked my settings multiple times, even ensuring that the “Always show icons, never thumbnails” option is unchecked. However, the problem persists regardless of these adjustments. I also tried restarting my computer and scanning for potential malware that might be causing this glitch, but to no avail. It’s perplexing because thumbnails displayed correctly on my previous operating system, but they just won’t show up in Windows 11’s File Explorer. What could be causing this issue, and why isn’t there a straightforward way to resolve it within the system settings?
5 Answers

I understand the frustration of not having thumbnails appear in File Explorer, as this can greatly impede workflow efficiency. Here’s what you can try:
- Verify thumbnail settings:
- Open File Explorer, click on the “View” tab.
- Select “Options,” go to “View” and make sure “Always show icons, never thumbnails” is unchecked.
- Clear the thumbnail cache:
- Press Windows + R, type “cleanmgr,” and hit Enter.
- Select your primary drive (usually C:).
- Check “Thumbnails” and press “OK” to delete.
- Optimize your performance settings:
- Right-click on “This PC,” select “Properties.”
- Click “Advanced system settings” and then “Settings” under the Performance section.
- Ensure “Show thumbnails instead of icons” is checked.

Experiencing this issue where Windows 11 File Explorer isn’t showing thumbnails could stem from a few different reasons. I went through a similar ordeal, and here is how I tackled it:
Firstly, I checked the Folder Options:
- Open File Explorer.
- Click on the “View” tab and then “Options.”
- In the dialog box, switch to the “View” tab.
- Ensure that the “Always show icons, never thumbnails” option is unchecked.
- Apply the changes by clicking “OK.”
Secondly, I cleared the thumbnail cache:
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “cleanmgr” and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean up (usually C:).
- Check “Thumbnails” and hit “OK” to delete them.
Thirdly, I checked my performance settings:
- Right-click on the Start button and select “System.”
- Click “Advanced system settings” on the left side.
- Under the Advanced tab within the System Properties, click “Settings” under Performance.
- Ensure that “Adjust for best appearance” is selected or manually ensure “Show thumbnails instead of icons” is checked.
- Apply the changes.
Finally, after performing these steps, I restarted my computer to ensure the changes took full effect, and this fixed my issue.

Dealing with missing thumbnails in Windows 11 File Explorer can indeed be a troublesome issue. Here’s a more programmatic way to troubleshoot and fix this problem:
- Check Folder Options:
- Open File Explorer.
- Go to the “View” tab and click on “Options.”
- Under the “View” tab, make sure “Always show icons, never thumbnails” is unchecked.
-
Apply these changes.
-
Clear Thumbnail Cache:
- Press
Windows + R
, typecleanmgr
, and hit Enter. - Choose your primary drive, usually C:, and check “Thumbnails.”
-
Click “OK” to clear the thumbnail cache.
-
Modify Group Policy:
- Press
Windows + R
, typegpedit.msc
, and hit Enter. - Navigate to
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
. - Find and double-click on “Turn off the display of thumbnails and only display icons.”
-
Set this to “Disabled” or “Not configured.”
-
Adjust Performance Options:
- Open the Start menu, search for “Advanced system settings,” and open it.
- Under Performance, click “Settings.”
-
Check “Show thumbnails instead of icons.”
-
Reset Quick Access:
-
Sometimes, Quick Access may be causing these issues. Press
Windows + R
, type%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations
, and delete everything inside this folder. -
Update Graphics Driver:
- Outdated or corrupted drivers can also lead to this issue. Open Device Manager and expand “Display adapters.”
- Right-click your graphics driver and select “Update driver.”
By diligently following these steps, I managed to restore the functionality of my thumbnails in File Explorer. The process may seem lengthy, but it ensures that all potential issues are addressed step-by-step.

If your File Explorer in Windows 11 isn’t displaying thumbnails, this might be due to a setting or a corrupted cache. First, try checking the settings:
- Open Settings from the Start menu.
- Navigate to “System” and then “Storage.”
- Scroll down and click on “Cleanup recommendations.”
- Under Cleanup, ensure “Thumbnails” is checked and then “Clean now.”
Clearing the thumbnail cache can sometimes rectify the issue.

To fix the issue of ‘explorateur Windows 11 n’affiche pas les miniatures’, follow these steps:
- Open File Explorer and go to the “View” tab.
- Click on “Options” and select “Change folder and search options.”
- In the Folder Options dialog, go to the “View” tab.
- Ensure the “Always show icons, never thumbnails” checkbox is not checked.
- Click “OK” to save the changes.