DarkThumbs

DarkThumbs 2.1

Adds thumbnail preview to Windows Explorer for EPUB, FB2 and Kindle ebooks; CBZ, CBR, RAR and ZIP archives.

  • By fire-eggs
  • Free
  • Updated May 17, 2025
Download for Windows

About DarkThumbs

Thumbnail preview support for ebooks and various archive formats in Windows File Explorer. V2.0 adds DJVU and 7Z/CB7 support! V2.1 fixes broken CB7 support, adding it as a selectable option.

Supported formats:

  • EPUB, FB2, Kindle (MOBI, AZW, AZW3)
  • DJVU / DJV, CB7, CBZ. CBR
  • 7Z, RAR, ZIP (ZIP, PHZ, GGB)
  • PHZ, GGB

What's new in 2.1

  • Fix typo preventing CB7 from working
  • Add CB7 as a separate checkable option
  • Add PHZ and GGB as supported extensions [tied to the ZIP archive option]
  • NOTE: to enable PHZ/GGB, you must disable ZIP, click 'Apply', then enable ZIP
  • Fix settings dialog box layout issues

Full release notes »

Technical details

Publisherfire-eggs
AuthorKevin Routley
Version2.1
Release date2025-05-17
LicenseFreeware
Installer typemsi
Architecturex64
Package IDfire-eggs.DarkThumbs
DependenciesMicrosoft.VCRedist.2015+.x64

Install DarkThumbs from the command line

Install with Windows Package Manager
winget install --id=fire-eggs.DarkThumbs -e
Update to the latest version
winget upgrade --id=fire-eggs.DarkThumbs -e
Uninstall
winget uninstall --id=fire-eggs.DarkThumbs -e
Silent install with the offline installer
msiexec /i "DarkThumbsSetup_x64.msi" /quiet /norestart
Uninstall the MSI package
msiexec /x {7E34E65E-4A72-4AD7-8C0D-AED276C06B51} /quiet

ebookthumbnailsebook-thumbnailsebooksthumbnailsebooks-thumbnailsarchivethumbnailsarchive-thumbnailscbrcbzepubexplorer-shell-extensionexplorer-thumbnailsfb2kindlemobishell-extension

File types supported by DarkThumbs

DarkThumbs can open or be associated with 16 file types:

.7z.azw.azw3.cb7.cbr.cbz.djv.djvu.epub.fb2.ggb.kindle.mobi.phz.rar.zip

DarkThumbs version history

2.0 Oct 17, 2024

Feature and bugfix release! Marked as "V2.0" because 7-zip is the new archive engine.
New file formats supported!
- 7z / cb7
- djvu
Issues addressed:
- #90 : zip files larger than 2G supported
- #33 : some zip files weren't working with Unzip
- #35 : "version is blocked" message when trying to install new version. Note: I still recommend the uninstall / install for preference, as a "replacement" install appears to require a Windows restart!
Known Limitation!
Currently requires being installed in "C:\Program Files\DarkThumbs" folder! If you want to install in a different location, you must copy 7z.dll from the install folder into "C:\Windows\System32".

1.9 May 2, 2024

Frequently asked questions

Is DarkThumbs free?

Yes, DarkThumbs is free to download and use on Windows.

What is the latest version of DarkThumbs?

The latest version is 2.1, released on May 17, 2025.

Is it safe to download DarkThumbs?

The download button links to the official installer published on github.com, the same file Windows Package Manager installs. You can verify the downloaded file by comparing its SHA-256 checksum with 5d61073b29f359fa472e7f4e9dcb489a2ddb54318d711f2825ab6115366a229d.

Which Windows versions does DarkThumbs support?

DarkThumbs runs on Windows and is available for 64-bit (x64) systems.

How do I install DarkThumbs silently?

Run the offline installer with msiexec /i "DarkThumbsSetup_x64.msi" /quiet /norestart, or install it with Windows Package Manager: winget install --id=fire-eggs.DarkThumbs -e --silent.

How do I uninstall DarkThumbs?

Open Settings › Apps › Installed apps, find DarkThumbs and select Uninstall. From the command line, run winget uninstall --id=fire-eggs.DarkThumbs -e.

What file types can DarkThumbs open?

DarkThumbs supports 16 file types, including .7z, .azw, .azw3, .cb7, .cbr, .cbz, .djv, .djvu and more.