FolderThumbnailFix
How to Download and Run
- Download the zip file using the link above.
- Extract all files (FolderThumbnailFix.exe and AppParts).
- Right-click FolderThumbnailFix.exe, select Properties, check Unblock, and click OK.
- Optionally move the files to a folder of your choice.
- Double-click FolderThumbnailFix.exe to change the Windows 11 folder thumbnail style.
- If you skipped step 3, then, in the SmartScreen window, click More info and then Run anyway.
Note: Some antivirus software may falsely detect the download as a virus. This can happen any time you download a new executable and may require extra steps to whitelist the file.
What it does
This tool patches Windows 11 so that folder thumbnails are the full size of the folder icon.
You can also use the tool to undo the change and switch back to the default half-covered thumbnails.
FolderThumbnailFix does not install any software. It simply replaces the icon mask in the file C:\Windows\SystemResources\imageres.dll.mun with a transparent icon.
Note: Sometimes the imageres.dll.mun file is in use, causing the icon change to fail. You won’t get an error. It just won’t change. Try again and it should work.
Command line
In addition to the GUI shown above, you can also change the folder icon mask from the command line. Use the /install argument to apply the transparent icon. Use the /remove argument to return to the half-cover icon.
Credits
Resource Hacker is used to replace the folder thumbnail mask icon. It’s included in this package with the permission of the developer Angus Johnson.