Here I have a folder with a wmv file, which Explorer will display thumbnails for automatically, I also have some .mov and /mp4 files, and as you can see, thumbnails are displayed! -very useful for finding the right clip

.mov and .mp4 thumbnails in Windows Explorer

Enabling .mp4 and .flv Thumbnails

As long as you have mp4 codec on your machine, which you probably do, then this registry tweak should enable thumbnail generation when you go to Thumbnail view in Windows Explorer:

Open notepad, and paste the following registry entry in to it:

REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.flvShellEx{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@=”{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590}”
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.movShellEx{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
@=”{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590}”

Save the file as ‘mp4.reg’

Double click on the file, and it will import it in to your registry.

You may need to restart windows for the change to be made.

Enabling .mp4 Thumbnails

By using a free program by Mike Barrientos Quicktime thumbnails can be enabled…

1. Download the DLL and save in to  /Windows/System32: QuickThumb (342)
2. (As an Administrator) go to: Start, Run. And enter in: regsvr32 QuickThumb.dll
3. You should then see thumbnails!

(To uninstall, run regsvr32 /u QuickThumb.dll)

(more info on Mikes page)

Notes!

Run the above at your own risk! I add the info here as it worked well for me, your mileage may vary, so don’t blame me!)

Feel free to comment if you have any other ways or tips in thumbnail generation…