AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate
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Depending on the media file, we may sometimes want to replace the boring video posters or artwork in the thumbnail of some videos on our Desktops. There isn't a natural tool for Windows to accomplish it. For Windows 10 and 11, changing the video thumbnails on Windows and Mac with AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate. requires third-party apps. Don't worry; we won't require you complex video editors to do this simple task. The procedures to change, add, or remove thumbnails from videos are included on this page. So, if you want to learn how to make one, you must finish this post by the end.
While watching a video, most people usually view a thumbnail first. Search results provide a thumbnail as well. Video thumbnail preview is particularly useful in libraries with many media files since they allow users to see a brief excerpt of the video content.
A still picture that serves as a preview for your video is a video thumbnail. It looks a bit like a book cover. Furthermore, like a book cover, it should pique the interest of potential viewers. However, pictures are the origin of the word thumbnail. A digital photo thumbnail is a scaled-down replica of the full photo that can be found when exploring a collection of photos.
| Best for | Supported Formats | Lossless Adjustment | Price | Overall Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnyMP4 Video Converter | A novice user who pursues efficiency and versatility | MP4, MKV, MOV, AVI, WMV, and more |  |
Paid with a free trial | |
| Clipchamp | Windows 11 users who need to temporarily edit videos | MP4, MOV |  |
Free | |
| Tag Editor (GitHub) | Geeks, developers, and open source enthusiasts | MP4, MKV, M4A | |
Free and open-source | |
| Mp3tag | MP4 collection lovers, pursuing extreme simplicity | MP4, M4V, WMV | |
Free |
A captivating custom video thumbnail can make all the difference when someone goes through your video. It's a really simple technique to give your video a polished impression. Several powerful programs are available that make editing video thumbnails simple and less stressful.
AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate is a complete-package video converter and editor that supports the Media Metadata Editor feature. With it, you can easily edit the title, artist, album, composer, genre, etc. It supports over 500 digital file formats, including MP4, MP3, FLAC, AAC, MOV, AVI, and even MKV files that cannot be handled by the Windows native system. Additionally, you can create a cover picture directly from video files. What's best is that you can keep the original file info or modify it as you desire.
Here's how to change the video thumbnail on Windows and Mac with AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate.
1.Download the Software and Open Media Metadata Editor
Download the AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate, and install it on your computer.
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Afterward, launch it, go through the Toolbox tab, and select the Media Metadata Editor tool.
2.Add New Picture as Thumbnail
Hit the + icon to add the video thumbnail you want to edit. Then, click the Circle with the plus icon on the left video thumbnail to add the cover picture you desire.
Alternatively, if you wish to modify the name of the Title, Artist, Album, Composer, Genre, and other necessary information to your thumbnail, go to the right side of the program.
3.Save the Video
After editing the thumbnail's information, click the Save button.
To change the cover of your thumbnail, click the + icon on the left panel of the program. You can import a cover photo from a local folder that will pop up on your screen.
This tool also works as a text video editor, which lets you add the text into the video; remove watermark from it ; speed up/down it, and more.
Clipchamp is a famous Microsoft editor that allows you to change videos' thumbnails for a better viewing experience. It is built in on Windows 11 computers and is free for you to use. Go on to see how to use this tool to customize video covers.
1.Open Videos in Clipchamp
Access Clipchamp on your Windows 11 and open a video on it. Scroll through the toolbar to see different editing choices and click Video settings.
2.Choose the Thumbnail Option
In the pop-up list, click the Thumbnail option to proceed.
3.Change the Video Thumbnail and Export
Click the pencil icon to select one frame from the video, and click Select this frame option to set the thumbnail of this video.
Otherwise, click the up arrow icon to choose one image from your device as the thumbnail.
Finally, click Share in the top-right corner to save the video.
This tool is easy to access, and the steps are intuitive. You can change video thumbnails easily without re-encoding. Try this free tool to make your video thumbnails outstanding.
GitHub Tag Editor is a simple, lightweight metadata editor that makes it easy to update information for your video files, including titles, descriptions, and especially thumbnails. Its standout feature is the ability to replace a video’s thumbnail with any image you choose, letting you clean up messy libraries or create a more polished look in File Explorer and media players. With a clean interface and quick editing workflow, it’s a practical tool for anyone who wants fast, precise control over video metadata.
1.Open GitHub Tag Editor and Import Video
After downloading and installing the software on your computer, open the tool, drag and drop the video file into the tool's window.
2.Customize the Cover of the Video
Click the thumbnail area or choose the Select cover art button to select one preferred image as the new thumbnail.
3.Apply Changes and Save Video
Click the Save changes choice to apply the image and save the video to your computer.
This free tool provides an easy-to-access method for video thumbnail adjustment. It can modify the metadata of the video without re-encoding. This tool is lightweight and free, and doesn't require high-end hardware.
Mp3tag is a powerful, universal metadata editor that allows you to manage and customize the technical 'tags' of media files, extending its functionality beyond audio to include popular video formats like MP4, M4V, and MKV. While primarily known for organizing music libraries, it stands out for its ability to easily change or embed custom thumbnails by attaching high-quality JPG or PNG images as 'cover art.' By replacing the default, often random frame captured by the operating system with a professional poster or custom graphic, Mp3tag ensures that video files appear with a clean and recognizable look in file explorers and media players.
1.Launch MP3tag and Open A Video
Download and install Mpstag from its official website. Launch the software and drag the video to the main window to open it.
2.Change Video's Cover
Click on the imported video file to highlight it. Then, right-click on the Cover option in the bottom-left corner and choose Add cover to select one image you want as the thumbnail.
3.Save the Video
Lastly, click the Save icon in the top toolbar to export the modified video.
Note: It may take a few seconds for Windows to refresh and show the new icon.
Unlike some tools that only change the local Windows thumbnail cache, Mp3tag embeds the image directly into the file’s metadata. This means the thumbnail often stays with the file if you move it to another device or cloud storage. However, it fails to support some older formats, like AVI, WMV, etc.
If you've recently uploaded a video on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram, you may have noticed that you don't automatically get the thumbnail or cover image you want. Luckily, there's a fix for that. Find out how you can change video thumbnails online by selecting the thumbnail you want on your next YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram video.
How to add a thumbnail to a YouTube video? The option to post unique thumbnails isn't by default available on your YouTube account. You first need to activate the custom thumbnail option on your account for it to become available. Once enabled, adding a custom thumbnail to an uploaded video is simple and only takes a few clicks. Understanding the YouTube thumbnail size is also needed for better video looks.
1. Go to YouTube's official website and log in to your account. Click the Profile icon, then select YouTube Studio (beta) from the drop-down menu.
2. Select the Videos tab from the screen's left side. Following that, click the thumbnail of the video you want to alter. On the next screen, you will see a Thumbnail section under the Basic menu. Click the Custom Thumbnail button to add the custom picture.
3. Next, select the custom picture you want to use, then click Open. Ensure all the technical requirements are followed.
4. At the top-right corner, click the Save button to finish. By doing this, you can apply the thumbnail to your video and save your modifications.
If you find the YouTube video is large in size, you can also compress the video for YouTube before publishing it.
How to change thumbnails on Facebook videos? Certainly, a person will notice your video or image's thumbnail as soon as they see it. Facebook often chooses pictures from your videos and uses one of those pictures as the thumbnail for that video. It runs on autopilot. Facebook does not always select the greatest thumbnail, though. Fortunately, you can always modify the thumbnail.
1. Facebook should get your video. When you get a notification stating that your video is ready to watch, go to your Timeline, and click Videos under More at the top.
2. Locate your newest video. The Pencil icon will be in the top-right corner. Choose it, then pick Edit This Video.
3. You can choose from 10 various thumbnail options, change the title of your movie, and add tags and a description. Pick your choice, then click Save to complete. The thumbnail you chose will accompany your video when it appears in your stream.
Unlike Facebook or YouTube, you can't change your cover picture when you've Updated your video to Instagram. Finding the perfect picture for your video before posting is so crucial.
1. After creating the Instagram video, you wish to share, upload it to Instagram and choose Next.
2. Have a look at your screen's bottom. Options will be available for Filter, Trim, and Cover - Tap Cover.
3. A bar ought to appear under your video. The video will appear in various stills as you slide your finger down the bar. Choose the one you want, tap Next, add a caption, and then share. Instagram will upload your video along with the cover picture you selected.
Some people experience issues with Windows 11/10 video thumbnails not displaying. In Windows 10 and 11, you can’t change a video thumbnail directly through the file properties. The easiest way is to use a metadata editor such as AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate or Tag Editor to set a new thumbnail. If the issue is simply that thumbnails aren’t showing in File Explorer, you can usually fix it by clearing the thumbnail cache.
So, how to do it in detail? Read on to learn:
1.Check Folder Options
Open File Explorer > three dots > Options > View. Then, uncheck the 'Always show icons, never thumbnails' option.
2.Clear Thumbnail Cache
Open Disk Cleanup, and select the C: drive. Check Thumbnails and click OK. This is the most effective way.
3.Check Your Default Apps and Codecs
If thumbnails still don’t appear, ensure you have proper codecs installed (HEVC, H.264, etc.). Missing codecs can prevent Explorer from generating previews.
These steps help you fix the problem of the video thumbnail now showing on Windows 11/10 computers. Follow them to deal with it.
Can I change a thumbnail for a live video after a Facebook Livestream?
Definitely YES! You can edit a thumbnail for a live video. It follows the same steps as a typical Facebook video. Moreover, you can update or add a thumbnail to your live video using Creator Studio.
Would changing the thumbnail bring in more viewers?
To increase views, YouTube strongly advises changing the appearance of a title or thumbnail.
What does a thumbnail serve as?
A thumbnail is a short photo that represents a bigger photo. Thumbnails are typically used to organize or view a collection of larger photos more quickly and easily.
While browsing through videos on your social media feeds, viewers will see the thumbnail before watching the video. It provides them with a preview of what the video will be like. Use thumbnails to increase views as much as possible. However, if you want to change the video thumbnail on File Explorer, you can follow the provided steps earlier.
Updated by Mark Cristobal to Edit VideoMore readings
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