Microsoft PowerToys vs SVG Explorer Extension: which one a designer needs
Microsoft PowerToys vs SVG Explorer Extension for designers: Explorer thumbnails, SVG previews, pricing and setup, compared from each tool's own sources.
2Dex is published by the makers of SageThumbs 2K, RēDesign and VectorMagik, which are compared here alongside other tools.
SVG Explorer Extension is a Windows add-on that renders SVG thumbnails in File Explorer, so users can get an overview of their SVG files [1]. Microsoft PowerToys is a set of over 30 utilities for customizing and optimizing Windows [2]. SageThumbs 2K adds File Explorer thumbnails for 363 file types Windows can't render itself, including RAW, PSD, HEIC/AVIF and video [3]. Choose SVG Explorer Extension to see SVG file thumbnails in Explorer. Choose Microsoft PowerToys for a broad set of Windows utilities. Choose SageThumbs 2K to see thumbnails of more file types inside Explorer.
| Option | Personal use price | Commercial use price | Systems | SVG thumbnails |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SageThumbs 2K | Free for noncommercial use [3] | US$2.99 a month or US$49 once per installation [3] | Windows 11, x64 and ARM64 [3] | Included among 363 file types [3] |
| SVG Explorer Extension | Not published | Not published | Must match your PC's 32-bit or 64-bit version [1] | Yes, SVG thumbnails [1] |
| Microsoft PowerToys | MIT license [2] | MIT license [2] | Installed via Microsoft Store [2] | Its source does not name SVG thumbnails among them [2] |
The short answer
SVG Explorer Extension is a Windows add-on that renders SVG thumbnails in File Explorer [1]. Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of over 30 utilities for customizing and optimizing Windows, covering a much wider range of tasks than a single file format [2].
SVG Explorer Extension's source describes rendering SVG thumbnails in Explorer [1]. Microsoft PowerToys' source says it covers over 30 Windows utilities, but does not name SVG thumbnails among them [2]. SageThumbs 2K adds File Explorer thumbnails for 363 file types Windows can't render natively, including camera RAW, Photoshop PSD, HEIC/AVIF and video [3]. It also pulls previews directly out of design and CAD files such as Photoshop, Affinity, AutoCAD DWG and CorelDRAW [3].
What Microsoft PowerToys and SVG Explorer Extension are built for
Microsoft PowerToys is described as a set of over 30 utilities to help customize and optimize the Windows experience [2]. Its source does not list individual utilities by name or describe any specific thumbnail or image-preview feature.
SVG Explorer Extension is described as an extension module for Windows Explorer that renders SVG thumbnails, so users can get an overview of their SVG files [1]. Its source does not mention any other file types, batch tools, or image-editing features.
For installation, SVG Explorer Extension's page notes that the installer must match whether your PC is 32-bit or 64-bit, since a 32-bit installer will run on a 64-bit system but the extension will not function [1].
What SageThumbs 2K is built for
SageThumbs 2K is made by the team that publishes this site. It adds File Explorer thumbnails for 363 file types that Windows can't render natively, including camera RAW, Photoshop PSD, HEIC/AVIF and video [3]. For design and CAD files such as Photoshop, Affinity, AutoCAD DWG and CorelDRAW, it uses the preview already stored inside the file, so the file doesn't have to be drawn from scratch [3].
Thumbnails also work in OneDrive and Synology Drive folders, and it never downloads online-only files just to draw a thumbnail [3]. Pressing the Space bar opens a quick full preview, and this is on by default unless another Space-bar previewer is installed [3].
The makers say images with an embedded colour profile or a wide-gamut tag (Display P3 or Adobe RGB) are converted to sRGB before display [3]. It adds image size in pixels, camera details and audio tags to Explorer's Details pane, hover tooltips and sortable columns [3]. The makers say a corrupt or malicious file can't crash Explorer [3].
Pricing and fees
Microsoft PowerToys is licensed under the MIT license [2]. The page gives no price, and Microsoft PowerToys is licensed under the MIT license [2].
SVG Explorer Extension's source does not publish a price or licence terms. Check the project's own page before relying on it for paid work.
SageThumbs 2K is free for personal, noncommercial use under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0 [3]. Commercial use needs a licence for each installation: US$2.99 a month, or US$49 once for a licence that never expires and includes 12 months of updates [3]. Business installs get a 7-day trial with every feature, after which thumbnails and previews stop until a licence key is entered [3]. The licence is source-available, which means the code can be read but the noncommercial terms still apply [3].
No payment service or card fee is stated for any of the three tools.
Getting started and everyday use
The application logs basic diagnostic data (telemetry) [2].
SVG Explorer Extension requires an installer that matches whether your PC is 32-bit or 64-bit; a 32-bit installer runs on a 64-bit system but the extension will not function [1]. Its source does not describe any settings, menus, or daily-use features beyond rendering SVG thumbnails.
SageThumbs 2K runs on Windows 11, with separate installers for standard PCs (x64) and ARM PCs (ARM64) [3]. A portable zip that needs no admin rights is also available [3]. In daily use, thumbnails appear in Explorer folders [3]. From the right-click menu, a designer can convert, resize, rotate or flip images losslessly, and combine images into a PDF or CBZ [3]. Jobs on many files use every processor core [3]. The right-click menu can be trimmed, reordered and regrouped by dragging [3]. A command-line tool covers thumbnails, conversions and batch jobs, and can also connect to AI assistant apps [3].
Things to check before you choose
- Which file types do you need thumbnails for? SVG Explorer Extension's source only mentions SVG [1]. If you work with RAW, PSD, HEIC or CAD files, check what each tool covers.
- Which Windows version do you run, and is your PC a standard or ARM model? SVG Explorer Extension's installer must match whether your PC is a standard or ARM model [1]. SageThumbs 2K runs on Windows 11 with a separate installer for a standard PC or an ARM PC [3].
- Do you need a broad set of Windows utilities, or just file thumbnails? PowerToys covers over 30 utilities, but its source does not list SVG thumbnails among them [2].
- Is the tool free for paid client work? PowerToys' page names the MIT license, and its terms for paid work should be checked [2]. SVG Explorer Extension's license terms are not published in its source. SageThumbs 2K needs a commercial license for paid work [3].
- Are you comfortable with telemetry? PowerToys logs basic diagnostic data [2].
How to choose
- You want SVG thumbnails in Explorer: SVG Explorer Extension [1].
- You want thumbnails for many design, RAW and video file types in Explorer: SageThumbs 2K [3] [3].
- You want a broad set of Windows utilities beyond thumbnails: Microsoft PowerToys [2].
- You want a tool under the MIT license: Microsoft PowerToys [2].
- You want right-click image conversion, resize and PDF combining in Explorer: SageThumbs 2K [3].
- You need thumbnails in cloud folders without downloading online-only files: SageThumbs 2K [3].
- You want a portable install with no admin rights: SageThumbs 2K [3].
- You want wide-gamut images converted to sRGB for display in Explorer: SageThumbs 2K [3].
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft PowerToys free?
Microsoft PowerToys is licensed under the MIT license [2]. The page does not state a separate price for commercial use.
How much does SageThumbs 2K cost for business use?
Commercial use of SageThumbs 2K needs a licence for each installation. It costs US$2.99 a month, or US$49 once for a licence that never expires and includes 12 months of updates [3]. Business installs get a 7-day trial with every feature [3]. After that, thumbnails and previews stop until a licence key is entered [3]. Personal, noncommercial use is free [3].
Does SVG Explorer Extension show SVG thumbnails in File Explorer?
Yes. SVG Explorer Extension is an extension module for Windows Explorer that renders SVG thumbnails, so users can get an overview of their SVG files [1]. Its source does not mention any other file types. The installer must match whether your PC is 32-bit or 64-bit, since a 32-bit installer runs on a 64-bit system but the extension will not function [1].
Does Microsoft PowerToys include an SVG thumbnail feature?
Microsoft PowerToys includes over 30 utilities for customizing and optimizing Windows [2]. Its source does not list an SVG thumbnail feature among them. If SVG thumbnails in Explorer are the main need, SVG Explorer Extension covers that [1], and SageThumbs 2K covers 363 file types [3].
Which Windows versions do these tools run on?
SageThumbs 2K runs on Windows 11, with separate installers for x64 and ARM64 PCs [3]. SVG Explorer Extension's source notes that the installer must match whether the PC is 32-bit or 64-bit, but does not name specific Windows versions [1]. For most devices the recommended installer for Microsoft PowerToys is the 64-bit version for your own user account (the source calls it x64 per-user) [2]. Check each tool's current requirements before installing.
It is free for personal, noncommercial use under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0. [3]
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