How to show pdf thumbnails in windows 11

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11, you may have noticed that your PDF files no longer display thumbnails in File Explorer. This can be frustrating, especially if you frequently work with PDF documents. But don’t worry, there is a simple solution to this problem. In this article, we’ll show you how to show PDF thumbnails in Windows 11 and get your file explorer looking the way you want it to.

Why Are PDF Thumbnails Not Showing in Windows 11?

Before we dive into the solution, let’s first understand why PDF thumbnails are not showing in Windows 11. With the release of Windows 11, Microsoft has made some changes to the way thumbnails are displayed in File Explorer. In previous versions of Windows, thumbnails were generated by a built-in PDF viewer. However, in Windows 11, Microsoft has switched to a new PDF reader called Microsoft Edge. This new reader does not generate thumbnails by default, which is why you may be seeing blank icons for your PDF files.

How to Show PDF Thumbnails in Windows 11

Now that we know why PDF thumbnails are not showing in Windows 11, let’s get to the solution. There are a few different methods you can use to show PDF thumbnails in Windows 11. We’ll go through each one step by step.

Method 1: Enable PDF Thumbnail Preview in File Explorer Options

The first method involves enabling PDF thumbnail preview in File Explorer options. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open File Explorer and click on the “View” tab at the top.
2. In the “View” tab, click on “Options” on the right side.
3. In the “Folder Options” window, click on the “View” tab.
4. Scroll down and find the option that says “Always show icons, never thumbnails”.
5. Uncheck this option and click “Apply” and then “OK”.

This should enable PDF thumbnail previews in File Explorer. However, if it doesn’t work, you can try the next method.

Method 2: Install Adobe Acrobat Reader

Another way to show PDF thumbnails in Windows 11 is by installing Adobe Acrobat Reader. This is a popular PDF reader that has been around for many years and is known for its ability to generate thumbnails for PDF files. Here’s how to install it:

1. Go to the Adobe Acrobat Reader website and download the latest version.
2. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the instructions to install the software.
3. Once installed, open File Explorer and navigate to a folder with PDF files.
4. You should now see thumbnails for your PDF files.

Method 3: Use a Third-Party PDF Reader

If you don’t want to install Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can also use a third-party PDF reader to show thumbnails in Windows 11. There are many options available, such as Foxit Reader, Nitro PDF Reader, and Sumatra PDF. Here’s how to use a third-party PDF reader to show thumbnails:

1. Download and install your preferred PDF reader.
2. Once installed, open the PDF reader and go to its settings.
3. Look for an option that says “Generate thumbnails” or “Show thumbnails in File Explorer”.
4. Enable this option and save your changes.
5. Open File Explorer and navigate to a folder with PDF files.
6. You should now see thumbnails for your PDF files.

Method 4: Use a Registry Hack

If none of the above methods work, you can try using a registry hack to show PDF thumbnails in Windows 11. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.pdf\ShellEx{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}
4. Right-click on the {BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1} key and select “Delete”.
5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
6. Open File Explorer and navigate to a folder with PDF files.
7. You should now see thumbnails for your PDF files.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re missing PDF thumbnails in Windows 11, there are a few different methods you can use to get them back. You can enable PDF thumbnail preview in File Explorer options, install Adobe Acrobat Reader, use a third-party PDF reader, or use a registry hack. Try each method until you find one that works for you. With these simple steps, you can easily show PDF thumbnails in Windows 11 and improve your file browsing experience.