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How to Show or Hide Gallery in Windows 11 File Explorer

By metsPosted on Posted in Sport Gear

How to Show or Hide Gallery in Windows 11 File Explorer

Managing how your files and folders are displayed in Windows 11 File Explorer can significantly improve your navigation experience. One useful feature is the Gallery view, which provides a visual thumbnail preview of images and videos, making it easier to identify files at a glance. Sometimes, you may want to hide these thumbnails to improve performance, reduce clutter, or simply customize your view. This guide will walk you through how to show or hide the Gallery in Windows 11 File Explorer, whether you prefer using the ribbon interface, context menu, or folder options.

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows 11 PC with File Explorer accessible
  • Basic familiarity with navigating Windows menus

Step-by-Step

  1. Open File Explorer: Click on the folder icon in the taskbar or press Windows + E to launch Windows 11 File Explorer.
  2. Navigate to the Folder: Go to the folder containing images or videos where you want to show or hide the gallery view.
  3. Switch to the View Tab: In the top ribbon of File Explorer, click on the View tab to access view options.
  4. Change the Layout: Under the Layout section, you’ll see different view options such as Details, Large icons, Extra large icons, and Gallery.
  5. Select Gallery View: Click on Gallery to enable thumbnail previews of images and videos. If you want to hide the gallery, select a different view like Details or List.
  6. Using the Context Menu: Alternatively, right-click inside the folder, choose View, then select your preferred view, such as Details to hide the gallery.
  7. Adjust Folder Options (Optional): For more control, click on the three-dot menu … in the toolbar, select Options, then go to the View tab. Here, you can toggle options like Always show icons, never thumbnails to hide all thumbnails in the folder, effectively hiding the gallery view.
  8. Apply and Save Settings: Once you’ve chosen your preferred view or options, click Apply and then OK to save changes.
  9. Refresh if Needed: Sometimes, you may need to refresh the folder (press F5) to see the changes immediately.

Common Mistakes

  • Not selecting the correct view mode—ensure you choose a non-thumbnail view like Details or List to hide the gallery.
  • Forgetting to click Apply or OK after changing folder options, which prevents changes from taking effect.
  • Attempting to change settings in the wrong folder—these adjustments are folder-specific unless you set them as defaults.
  • Confusing the Gallery view with thumbnail previews turned off—disabling thumbnails in folder options is necessary to hide all images from view.

Tips

  • To quickly switch between views, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + 6 for Gallery or Ctrl + Shift + 2 for Details view.
  • Right-click inside a folder and choose Group by to organize files without affecting the gallery view.
  • In large folders, hiding thumbnails can improve performance—go to Folder Options and select Always show icons, never thumbnails.
  • If you frequently switch views, consider setting a default view for all folders via the Folder Options > View tab.

Troubleshooting

If the gallery view does not toggle as expected, try these steps:

  1. Refresh the folder: Press F5 to reload the folder view.
  2. Clear thumbnail cache: Go to Settings > Storage > Temporary files, select Thumbnails, and delete them. Restart File Explorer.
  3. Reset folder view settings: In Folder Options, click Reset Folders to restore default view settings.
  4. Check for Windows updates: Ensure your Windows 11 is up to date, as bugs affecting File Explorer are often fixed in updates.
  5. Restart File Explorer: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find Windows Explorer, right-click, and select Restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide the gallery view for specific folders only?

Yes. Adjust the folder view settings individually for each folder. Right-click inside the folder, select View, and choose your preferred layout.

How do I disable thumbnails globally in Windows 11?

Go to Folder Options > View tab, check Always show icons, never thumbnails, then click Apply. This disables all image previews system-wide.

Is there a shortcut to toggle gallery view in File Explorer?

While no direct shortcut exists for the gallery view specifically, you can quickly change views using keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + Shift + 6 for Gallery mode if configured.

Why are my images still showing as thumbnails even after changing view?

This may be due to thumbnail caching. Clear the cache via Folder Options or restart Windows Explorer to refresh the view.

Can I set a default folder view for all folders?

Yes. Open a folder, set your preferred view, then go to Folder Options > View tab and click Apply to Folders. Confirm to set it as default for all folders of that type.

What should I do if the gallery view is not available?

Ensure your folder contains images or videos, as the gallery view is only applicable to media files. Also, verify your Windows 11 is updated and that no policies disable this feature.

With these steps and tips, you can easily control how your images and videos are displayed in Windows 11 File Explorer, customizing your experience to suit your needs and preferences.

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How to Show or Hide Gallery in Windows 11 File Explorer
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