Preview pane question

Question

The preview pane in file explorer is no longer displaying my .jpg files.

How do I turn that back on?

Answer 1

Hello,

Is it because it is displaying "The file you are attempting to preview could harm your computer. If you trust the file and the source you received it from, open it to view its contents"?

If so, this is actually due to a security change from an update a while ago.

https://support.microsoft.com/topic/file-explorer-automatically-disables-the-preview-feature-for-files-downloaded-from-the-internet-56d55920-6187-4aae-a4f6-102454ef61fb

In the document I shared with you above, Microsoft talked about how to override or unblock this behavior:

If you are confident in the safety of both the file and its source, you may remove the internet security block.

To remove the block for a downloaded file, right-click the file in File Explorer, select Properties, and then select Unblock.

Note: The change might not take effect immediately but will be effective after the next login. To remove the block for files on an Internet Zone file share, use the Internet Options control panel’s Security tab to add the file share’s address to either the Local intranet or Trusted sites security zone.

Warning: This configuration change will relax the security posture for all files from the listed file share.

Answer 2

In File Explorer, enable and configure the preview features as follows:

1. Turn on the Preview pane in File Explorer:
   • Open File Explorer.
   • On Windows 10, select the View tab in the ribbon.
   • Select Preview Pane to turn it on.
2. Allow preview handlers in Folder Options:
   • In File Explorer, select View > Options.
   • In the Folder Options dialog, go to the View tab.
   • In Advanced settings, make sure Show preview handlers in preview pane is checked.
   • Select OK.

If using PowerToys File Explorer add-ons for enhanced previews, ensure the relevant extensions are set to On in PowerToys settings. Note that File Explorer’s preview pane background color cannot be changed, so very light or white images may appear invisible if they blend into the background.

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References:

• File Explorer add-ons utility