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laurenh22769
laurenh22769
Known Participant
September 9, 2025
Question

Windows 11 and PNG thumbnails

  • September 9, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 634 views

I'm not sure if this is a Windows issue or Microsoft. I just transferred everything to a new PC and cannot get any artwork/graphics saved as a PNG to show the thumbnails in file explorer. I have tried a few "fixes" found on the web but to no avail. I was wondering if anyone has had the same issue and found a fix that works. I uninstalled OneDrive, made sure the "always show icons, never thumbnails" is unchecked, cleared caches, etc. Nothing is working. Any help would be appreciated. 

3 replies

D Fosse
Community Expert
D FosseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
September 9, 2025

Windows Explorer displays PNG thumbnails, there shouldn't be any need for third party codecs. If it doesn't, something's wrong - but that would be on the Windows side, not Photoshop.

    laurenh22769
    laurenh22769Author
    Known Participant
    September 9, 2025

    So far none of the solutions have worked for Windows 11. I just transferred from a Win 10 computer to this new one with PC Mover so new nothing was added. 

    Ged_Traynor
    Community Expert
    Ged_TraynorCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 10, 2025

    "I just transferred from a Win 10 computer to this new one with PC Mover so new nothing was added"

    That could be the cause of your issue

      L
      Lucas.s.clark
      Participant
      September 9, 2025

      Hi @laurenh22769 

      Have you considered any third party software? I heard MysticThumbs has been a good tool to help present icons.

       

      laurenh22769
      laurenh22769Author
      Known Participant
      September 9, 2025

      Hi Lucas, Yes, I am actually looking at this now. All of my other image thumbnails, PDF and even Word have thumbnails. It's just my PNG art that I am most concerned with since I have lots of it and don't really want to open the folders in Bridge to view what I may need to place into PS or Illustrator. 

      Sameer K
      Community Manager
      Sameer KCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      September 9, 2025

      Hey, @laurenh22769. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I'll help you figure this out.


      While I am unsure how this is related to Photoshop or Adobe, it would be appropriate to reach out to Microsoft for help with the Explorer. Here is a top conversation that I found on the internet that has an accepted answer: https://adobe.ly/4mRLqbX

       

      You can try Adobe Bridge from the Creative Cloud desktop app, and it should show you thumbnails of almost all creative file types. 

       

      Thanks!
      Sameer K
      (Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

      laurenh22769
      laurenh22769Author
      Known Participant
      September 9, 2025

      Hi @Sameer K 

       

      Yes, I have Bridge installed but when I am designing it's a bit counterproductive to go back and forth if you know what I mean. I did review the article, thank you. I even noticed some mf my taskbar icons are missing (like Fresco). The space is there and if I roll my arrow over the space it says it's there...just not visible. 

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