Windows command fix
Clear Windows Thumbnail Cache: Windows Command Fix, Safe Steps and Explanation
Use this page when you searched for: clear thumbnail cache, broken thumbnails, file explorer previews, thumbcache, black thumbnails, image previews not showing. For broken image thumbnails, wrong previews, black thumbnails, or File Explorer showing old cached previews.
What this fix is for
Windows stores thumbnail preview databases for images and videos. Clearing the thumbnail cache can fix wrong previews, black thumbnails, or stale File Explorer thumbnails.
Before you run it
The command restarts Windows Explorer and deletes preview cache only. It does not delete your photos or videos.
Steps
1. Save open File Explorer work first.
2. Open Command Prompt.
3. Run the command to restart Explorer and delete thumbnail cache files.
After the command
Thumbnails rebuild as you open folders again, so the first folder load may be slower.
Use this command only for the problem described on this page. Restart Windows after service, network, update, or file repair commands before testing again.
Quick questions
Is this command safe for personal files?
The command restarts Windows Explorer and deletes preview cache only. It does not delete your photos or videos.
What should I do after running it?
Thumbnails rebuild as you open folders again, so the first folder load may be slower.