This info is few months overdue but I kept forgetting to post it, recent post by PhotoComix reminded me of that.
When you open Windows explorer to browse your GIMP files (xcf) all you can see is icons with Wilber's cunning smile. Not anymore.
Not all Windows users may know this already, but there is Windows Explorer extension allowing to view xcf thumbnails. SageThumbs uses Pierre-e Gougelet's GFL library (XnView's author).
Before I'd installed it I was using IrfanView image browser to see xcf files, open it with IrfanView and go to File>Open_with_external editor>GIMP. I also used long description-like names for my xcf files so I could know using WE what file is that. Some things are getting better even in Windoze

You can do this if you have XnView installed. If you don't see it in Windows Explorer go to XnView, Tools, Options, System Integration, check Use XnView Shell Extension.

I can't. Shell extension option is grayed out. Win 7.

Do you have 1.99.5? If so re-install. On the download page go to the bottom and get, XnView v1.99.5 Complete version (Some Plugins/Addons & NConvert, ShellEx, Media Detector). During the install you can pick and choose any extras you need.
http://www.xnview.com/en/downloadwin32.html

Updated XnView full version about 1 month ago. It does have NConvert and Mediadetector.


Why ShellEX option is grayed out? Maybe it has something to do with MS Power Shell that i have on my machine?
I'll look into it when I have time. Thank you, Odin.

I have the newest and thumbnails still don't show in my win7

Now I got the Shell Extension option in XnView but do not want to uninstall SageThumb to check it out.
Alc, Sage works just fine, I've been using it for a couple of months now. It appears in File Menu (that is, when you right-click on the image file)
To see all of your xcf thumbs set the max file size to 80-100 MB in SageThumbs Options (depending on xcf file sizes on your computer)
Some of my XCF's are 100-130 MB so I set it to 150 MB.

Finally got it to work by downloading it from here

So, you can see XCF thumbs only from the File Menu and going to XnShell?
But SageThumb shows them right in your Windows Explorer.

thanks, that's better
I can see i really need to clean out my gimp projects folder