How do I get Windows Explorer to show thumbnails of my files?

Question

I am creating a 3D editor and I want Windows Explorer to show previews of 3D models in files when it is in thumbnail view.

How to do it?

Answer 1

You need to execute the preview handler .

Answer 2

You need to write a shell extension that implements IExtractImage2 and extracts a thumbnail for Explorer. Oh, and this is COM, so you'd better expect to feel dirty later.