Normally in Windows XP, when you display folders in thumbnail view, it is so you can get previews of images, movies, and certain other multimedia content. Folders containing graphics may display a preview or two of the contained pictures. Other folders, however, display as a drab, yellow folder icon. But does this have to be the case?

Since you can change a folder's icon, why can't you change how a folder looks in thumbnail view?

1. Right-click on a folder and choose "Properties".

2. When the "Properties" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, select "Customize".

3. Click the "Choose Picture" button.

4. Choose a picture you want to use for the folder. A "Browse" dialog box will appear. While no preview window exists here by default, you can right-click inside the files area and choose "View" - "Thumbnails" to get previews of pictures before selecting them.

5. After selecting a picture, a preview will appear in the "Properties" dialog box. If you like what you see, click "OK" to save your settings. Otherwise, click "Cancel".

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