File manager preview preferences

The file manager creates thumbnails to preview image and video files, and can also preview text files and sound files. Previews can be slow for large files or over networks, so you can control when previews are made. In any file manager window, click Edit ▸ Preferences and select the Preview tab.

By default, all previews are only done for local files on your computer or connected external drives. The file manager can browse files on other computers over a local area network or the internet. If you often browse files over a local area network, and the network has high bandwidth, you may want to set some or all of the preview options to Always.

Text Files

The icon for plain text files looks like a piece of paper with text inside. The file manager automatically extracts the first few lines of text from the file and shows it in the icon. You can turn this feature on or off, or turn it on only for files on your computer and local external drives.

Other Previewable Files

The file manager can automatically create thumbnails for images, videos, PDF files, and various other file types. Applications with custom file types can even provide thumbnail support for files they create. You can turn this feature on or off, or turn it on only for files on your computer and local external drives. You can also only allow thumbnails to be created for files below a certain file size.

Sound Files

You can preview music and other sounds files by hovering your mouse. You can turn this feature on or off, or turn it on only for files on your computer and local external drives.

Folders

If you show file sizes in list view columns or icon captions, folders will be shown with a count of how many files and folders they contain. Counting items in a folder can be slow, especially for very large folders, or over a network. You can turn this feature on or off, or turn it on only for files on your computer and local external drives.