What is the standard value of IconsOnly?

Frozen Tweaks writes 0 when you switch the tweak off, which is the value it treats as the Windows standard. With the tweak on, IconsOnly is 1.

Is "Disable Explorer Thumbnails" safe to switch on?

Convenience against speed. It only matters while a File Explorer window is open. The main cost: You no longer see what a picture or video is without opening it.

Is "Disable Explorer Thumbnails" free in Frozen Tweaks?

It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.

IconsOnly: turning off File Explorer thumbnails and the preview pane

Frost LIVEWindowsProUndo: YesUpdated Oct 8, 2026View as Markdown

Short answer

Updated Oct 8, 2026

File Explorer builds a small preview picture for every image and video in a folder. IconsOnly set to 1 shows plain icons instead, and the preview pane is switched off. In the registry it sets IconsOnly to 1 under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced, and 1 more value.

In the app

Disable Explorer ThumbnailsPRO

Registry

HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

IconsOnly01

What the switch writes. Your current value may differ. 1 more change below.

What it does

File Explorer builds a small preview picture for every image and video in a folder. IconsOnly set to 1 shows plain icons instead, and the preview pane is switched off.

In the app the switch is called "Disable Explorer Thumbnails", described there as: Prevents thumbnail/preview generation spikes during gaming sessions.

When it helps, and when it hurts

When it helps

Folders full of clips and screenshots, which open at once instead of generating previews.

When it hurts

You no longer see what a picture or video is without opening it.

What it writes

Exactly what the switch changes, read from the app's source. Switching it off is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.

Registry values the switch writes.
Key and value	With the tweak	Switching it off
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AdvancedIconsOnly	1	0
HKCUSoftware\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AdvancedDisablePreviewPane	1	0

From the app's source (explorer_thumb_off.hpp), app 2.0.0, checked Oct 8, 2026.

The same change by hand

You do not need the app for this one. These commands make the changes from the table above. Run them in a Command Prompt opened as administrator, and make a restore point first.

Make the change · CMD

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v "IconsOnly" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v "DisablePreviewPane" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Put it back · CMD

reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v "IconsOnly" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v "DisablePreviewPane" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

See what it is set to now · CMD

reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced" /v "IconsOnly"

How to undo it

In the app: Yes

Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had it.

Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. It writes IconsOnly back to 0, DisablePreviewPane back to 0.

Changing several settings at once? The app's Make a restore point button, on every plan, makes a Windows restore point before you start.

Verdict

Convenience against speed. It only matters while a File Explorer window is open.

Questions

What does the "Disable Explorer Thumbnails" tweak change in Windows?: In the registry it sets IconsOnly to 1 under HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced, and 1 more value. The full list is in the table on this page, read from the app's source.
What is the standard value of IconsOnly?: Frozen Tweaks writes 0 when you switch the tweak off, which is the value it treats as the Windows standard. With the tweak on, IconsOnly is 1.
Is "Disable Explorer Thumbnails" safe to switch on?: Convenience against speed. It only matters while a File Explorer window is open. The main cost: You no longer see what a picture or video is without opening it.
How do I undo it?: Switch the tweak off in Frozen Tweaks. Switching it off sets a standard Windows value, which may not be exactly how you had it.
Is "Disable Explorer Thumbnails" free in Frozen Tweaks?: It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.

In the app