How to enable thumbnails for SVG files in Windows 10

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a vector image format file used to represent two-dimensional graphic objects, which supports user interaction for both still images as well as animations. Because it is a vector image (is scaled into different sizes), users can comfortably display and scale without losing image quality. Files in this format use an XML-based text format to describe how the image appears.

If you regularly work with SVG files on Windows 10, you may find it annoying that the operating system does not support downloading thumbnails for this file type. Normally, whenever you open a folder in File Explorer, the thumbnail allows you to preview images, PDFs and other popular documents without opening them.

Fortunately, with the PowerToys toolkit, you can fully view SVG file thumbnails in File Explorer without any problems. Proceed as follows.

Install PowerToys

To view SVG file thumbnails in File Explorer, you'll need help from Microsoft's PowerToys utility. This add-on can be downloaded for free from GitHub here. The most recent version is usually listed at the top of the page.

Follow the simple on-screen instructions to install PowerToys.

After PowerToys is installed successfully, you will be able to see SVG thumbnail by default. You'll see them on your desktop, in the File Explorer window, and in the File Explorer preview pane.

How to enable thumbnails for SVG files in Windows 10 Picture 1

How to enable and disable SVG thumbnails

SVG thumbnail is enabled on Windows 10 by default after installing PowerToys, you don't have to do anything more.

However, if you want to disable SVG thumbnails (without uninstalling PowerToys), or you previously turned them off and wanted to enable them, launch ' PowerToys Settings '. Click ' General ' in the sidebar, then ' Restart as administrator '.

How to enable thumbnails for SVG files in Windows 10 Picture 2

Once ' PowerToys Settings ' reload (you can see the app minimized in the system tray), click 'File Explorer' in the sidebar and you'll see options related to enabling or disabling SVG thumbnails . Click the options you want to change.

How to enable thumbnails for SVG files in Windows 10 Picture 3

When done, close ' PowerToys Settings ' and reboot your device. When you sign in again, the changes will take effect. Wish you have a great experience with PowerToys!

Jessica Tanner

Update 15 February 2021

You should read it

May be interested

How to enable / disable the Security tab of files and folders on Windows?
on ntfs-formatted hard drive partitions, you can set security permissions for files and folders. this permission allows you to access or deny access to files and folders. to set security for files and folders, please refer to the steps in the following article of network administration.
Youtube Thumbnails Will Soon Be Blurred, Here's Why
youtube is rolling out a new feature that aims to make the platform safer. you may see blurred thumbnails for nsfw videos in search results.
How to display File Explorer's Preview Pane on Windows 10/11
it's easy to preview files without opening them in windows 10 thanks to the preview pane feature in file explorer. you can see thumbnails of most images, videos, audio files, and some text-based documents.
What is a thumbnail? Learn about Thumbnails
what is a thumbnail? learn about thumbnails. thumbnail is english, when translated into vietnamese it means 'thumbnail image', this word is always used to refer to editing a photo of a size such as cover photo, avatar, illustration image for
How to enable HDR on Windows 11
like windows 10, windows 11 also supports hdr image export. but unlike windows 10, hdr works better on windows 11 and deserves to be enabled on some apps.
How to Delete Temporary Files in Windows 7
this wikihow teaches you how to remove temporary files from your windows 7 computer. to do this, you must first enable your computer's 'show hidden files' feature, after which point you can delete temporary files from your computer's app...
How to enable DNS over HTTPS for all apps in Windows 10
enabling windows 10's system-level doh will enable dns over https for all browsers installed on pcs that support it, along with any other internet-based program that might use it now or in future.
Steps to enable Enhance Audio to improve sound quality on Windows 11
windows 11 is the latest version of microsoft's operating system. introduced in june and currently in beta, windows 11 has many interface and feature improvements. it is expected that windows 11 will be officially released on october 5.
How to Print Thumbnails
thumbnails are reduced versions of larger pictures. they get the name thumbnail because they are often nearly the size of a thumbprint or nail. they are commonly used to organize large albums of pictures in computer programs or internet...
Steps to enable TPM 2.0 to install WINdows 11
windows 11 will require a tpm 2.0 chip (trusted platform module) when installing, this article guides you to enable tpm 2.0 in the bios to meet this requirement.