Fixing PNG Thumbnail Display Issue on Windows 10

Fixing PNG Thumbnail Display Issue on Windows 10

If you are a Windows 10 user and have noticed that your PNG image thumbnails are not displaying correctly, don't worry! This is a common issue that can be easily fixed. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to resolve the PNG thumbnail display problem on your Windows 10 computer.

Why are PNG Thumbnails Not Displaying Correctly?

Before we dive into the solution, let's understand why this issue occurs. Windows 10 uses a default image viewer to display thumbnails of various image formats, including PNG. Sometimes, due to incorrect settings or conflicts with other software, this default image viewer may fail to generate thumbnails for PNG files. As a result, you may see generic icons instead of actual image thumbnails.

Step 1: Resetting File Explorer Options

The first step in fixing the PNG thumbnail display issue is to reset the File Explorer options. Here's how you can do it:

1. Open the File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
2. Click on the "View" tab at the top of the File Explorer window.
3. In the "Layout" section, click on the "Options" button.
4. A "Folder Options" window will appear. Click on the "View" tab.
5. Under the "Advanced settings" section, locate and check the box next to "Always show icons, never thumbnails".
6. Click on the "Apply" button, followed by the "OK" button to save the changes.

After following these steps, the PNG thumbnails should start displaying correctly in the File Explorer.

Step 2: Clearing Thumbnail Cache

If resetting the File Explorer options didn't resolve the issue, the next step is to clear the thumbnail cache. Here's how:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type cleanmgr into the Run dialog box and press Enter.
3. A "Disk Cleanup" window will appear. Select the drive where Windows is installed (usually the C: drive) and click on the "OK" button.
4. Wait for the Disk Cleanup utility to calculate the amount of space you can free on your computer.
5. In the "Files to delete" section, check the box next to "Thumbnails" and click on the "OK" button.
6. Click on the "Delete Files" button to confirm the deletion of thumbnail cache.

Once the thumbnail cache is cleared, restart your computer and check if the PNG thumbnails are now displaying correctly.

Step 3: Changing Default Photo Viewer

If the issue still persists, it is possible that the default photo viewer on your Windows 10 computer is causing the problem. Changing the default photo viewer to a different application may help resolve the PNG thumbnail display issue. Here's how you can do it:

1. Open the File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
2. Right-click on a PNG file and select "Open with" from the context menu.
3. Choose a different photo viewer application from the list or click on "Choose another app" to browse for a suitable program.
4. Check the box next to "Always use this app to open .png files" and click on the "OK" button.

After changing the default photo viewer, the PNG thumbnails should start displaying correctly in the File Explorer.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to fix the PNG thumbnail display issue on your Windows 10 computer. Resetting File Explorer options, clearing thumbnail cache, and changing the default photo viewer are effective solutions to address this problem. If the issue persists, you may consider updating your graphics drivers or seeking further assistance from a technical expert.

References