Get Photoshop Thumbnails Back - Troubleshooting Guide

Restoring Photoshop Thumbnail Previews in Windows

Previously, Windows operating systems automatically displayed thumbnail previews for PSD files after installing Adobe Photoshop. However, current versions typically show only the standard Photoshop icon. This article details how to re-enable these previews, and expand thumbnail support for other image and design file types.

Reader Question

A reader inquired about the disappearance of PSD thumbnail previews in Windows 8. They recalled having and utilizing these previews in the past, but they ceased to function across multiple computer installations. The user, running Photoshop CS6, sought a solution to restore this functionality.

The recollection is accurate. Older versions of Photoshop included a codec with the Windows installer, enabling native thumbnail display. This codec, however, encountered compatibility issues with newer Windows iterations.

Understanding Codecs and Windows Imaging Component

To resolve this issue, we must address the missing codec. A codec is a software program that encodes or decodes digital data. In this case, we require a codec capable of extracting data from a Photoshop file and presenting it to Windows in a compatible format, similar to how it handles JPGs.

Fortunately, Windows offers extensibility through codec packs. Since Windows Vista, the Windows Imaging Component (WIC) framework has been available, specifically designed for managing image-related codecs.

Why Avoid Outdated Solutions?

Several outdated or unreliable solutions exist. A former registry hack and .DLL file offered thumbnail support for older Photoshop versions, but its functionality is inconsistent on Windows 7 and nonexistent on Windows 8. Additionally, some commercial codecs focus solely on Photoshop thumbnails.

These limited solutions are not recommended, particularly those requiring a $15-$30 purchase.

Recommended Solution: FastPictureViewer

We recommend FastPictureViewer ($15, often discounted to $10 during sales) as a comprehensive solution. It not only restores Photoshop thumbnail support but also extends it to numerous other file formats unsupported by Windows natively.

These include other Adobe Creative Suite formats like Illustrator files, RAW formats from Canon, Nikon, and Olympus cameras, Google Sketchup files, and various other graphic design formats.

Benefits of FastPictureViewer

Beyond thumbnails, FastPictureViewer enhances the Explorer preview pane, providing more detailed file information without requiring you to open the files. Its widespread adoption by major design companies, such as Blizzard Entertainment and Disney, demonstrates its reliability and extensive format support.

While free solutions are appealing, the $15 investment in FastPictureViewer – compatible with Windows XP through Windows 8 – is worthwhile given its broad functionality and long-term support. A two-week trial is also available.