When you open File Explorer or Windows Explorer, this database is used to displaying a preview of a file quickly or give you a look for the content of a folder or file before you open it. Windows machines maintain a cache database with thumbnail images for every folder, document, video, and picture on your computer. However, it might slow down the folder navigation process. In many cases, thumbnail previews are useful since they let you preview Windows files without opening them. How do I enable or disable thumbnail previews in file explorer Windows 10? Why are my thumbnails not showing up on Windows 10? With the default configuration of Windows 10/8/7, it shows thumbnail previews of images and videos.