ThumbsPlus has long been the go-to solution for power users who need to catalog and manage massive image libraries. However, the software’s architecture—relying heavily on external system codecs—can struggle with modern image formats like WebP. If you’ve recently tried to thumbnail a folder full of WebP images only to be met with blank icons or error messages, you aren’t alone.
This guide covers the current state of WebP support in ThumbsPlus and walks you through the steps to get these files cataloging correctly.
The short answer to the internet's most common question—"Does ThumbsPlus support WebP?"—is yes, but with caveats.
Ultimately, WebP is the future of image archiving, and ThumbsPlus remains one of the few professional DAM tools that handles it without forcing you into a bloated subscription cloud model. By following the installation steps and batch workflows above, you can modernize your image library without abandoning the software you have trusted for decades.
Call to Action: Download the 30-day trial of ThumbsPlus v11 today and test your own WebP workflow. Load a folder of mixed JPEGs, PNGs, and WebPs—watch how the unified thumbnail database treats them all as equals. That is the power of ThumbsPlus WebP integration.
Have a specific ThumbsPlus WebP issue not covered here? Check the official Cerious Software forum or the r/ThumbsPlus subreddit for community scripts and codec packs.
ThumbsPlus and the WebP Challenge: How to Manage Next-Gen Images
If you’ve been a long-time user of ThumbsPlus by Cerious Software, you know it’s a powerhouse for organizing massive libraries of photos, fonts, and vector files. However, as the web moves toward the WebP format for its superior compression and quality, many users find themselves in a bit of a bind.
Here is what you need to know about using WebP files with ThumbsPlus and how to keep your workflow smooth. Does ThumbsPlus Support WebP?
As of current versions, such as ThumbsPlus 10, native support for the WebP format is not explicitly listed in the standard supported formats like JPEG, PNG, or TIFF. While the software supports over a hundred file types—including diverse RAW formats through Pro plugins—WebP often requires a workaround because it is a relatively newer "next-gen" format compared to the legacy codebases of many classic image managers. Why WebP Matters for Your Collection
Smaller File Sizes: WebP files are often 25-34% smaller than comparable JPEGs without losing visible quality. thumbsplus webp
Transparency and Animation: Unlike JPEG, WebP supports alpha channels (transparency) and can even replace bulky GIFs.
SEO Performance: If you are using the ThumbsPlus Web Page Wizard to build online galleries, WebP is the format Google recommends for better search rankings and faster load times. Workarounds for ThumbsPlus Users
If your ThumbsPlus isn't generating thumbnails for your WebP images, here are a few ways to bridge the gap:
System-Wide WebP Codecs: Ensure your Windows OS has the WebP Video Extensions installed from the Microsoft Store. Sometimes, third-party apps like ThumbsPlus can leverage system codecs to "see" file types they don't natively handle.
External Batch Conversion: Use the batch processing features within ThumbsPlus to convert existing archives to WebP if you have a compatible plugin, or use a tool like XnConvert to turn WebP files into high-quality JPEGs that ThumbsPlus can catalog effortlessly.
Launch External Editors: You can configure ThumbsPlus to launch external editors for specific file types. By linking WebP files to a modern browser or a free editor like Paint.NET, you can still view the full-resolution files even if the thumbnail preview is a generic icon. Looking Forward Files: Thumb not working with WEBP format #825 - GitHub
Here’s a detailed feature concept for ThumbsPlus (a popular image management and batch processing tool) that adds full WebP support across its core functionality.
If Cerious releases ThumbsPlus v11, it will likely be based on a new imaging engine (possibly leveraging the latest WIC codecs) that treats WebP as a first-class citizen. Until then, users rely on the workarounds detailed above.
ThumbsPlus is not a recommended tool for WebP management unless you are willing to pre-convert all your WebP files to a classic format. For users with legacy databases who occasionally encounter a WebP file, the best practice is to convert it outside of ThumbsPlus and then re-import it. If WebP is becoming your standard format, migrating to a more up-to-date image manager is the efficient long-term solution.
Last updated: 2025 – Based on feature sets of ThumbsPlus v11 and common user reports. ThumbsPlus has long been the go-to solution for
Integrating the modern image format into the long-standing ThumbsPlus
workflow requires understanding the software's current capabilities and available workarounds
. While ThumbsPlus is a robust digital asset manager, its support for newer formats often depends on specific version updates or external plugins. Direct WebP Compatibility Official Support
: ThumbsPlus has historically focused on standard formats like JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and RAW. Newer versions, such as ThumbsPlus 10, have updated their format libraries, but native WebP handling (viewing and thumbnailing) may still require specific Cerious Software plugins or manual configuration. Version Importance : Ensure you are running a recent release, as the developer Cerious Software
periodically updates support for modern web formats to remain competitive with other viewers. Solutions for WebP Integration
If your version of ThumbsPlus does not natively display WebP files, consider these practical steps: External Editor Shortcuts
: You can create toolbar shortcuts within ThumbsPlus to launch external editors (like Photoshop with the WebPShop plugin
). This allows you to browse your library and instantly open WebP files in a compatible program for editing. Batch Conversion : Use the built-in ThumbsPlus Batch Processing
tool to convert WebP files into a more universally compatible format like JPEG or PNG for easier cataloging within the database. System-Wide Codecs : Installing the WebP Image Extensions
for Windows can sometimes help third-party applications recognize the format at the OS level. Why WebP Matters Ultimately, WebP is the future of image archiving,
Transitioning to WebP offers significant advantages for digital asset management: webmproject/WebPShop: Photoshop plug-in for ... - GitHub
Technical Overview: Integrating WebP in ThumbsPlus ThumbsPlus, a long-standing digital asset management (DAM) and image organization tool, has traditionally excelled at cataloging vast libraries with robust metadata management. As the WebP format—developed by Google to provide superior lossy and lossless compression—becomes the web standard, users of ThumbsPlus often seek to integrate it into their professional workflows. 1. Current State of WebP Support
While ThumbsPlus supports over 114 file formats, including legacy and specialized types like JPEG 2000, RAW, and vector files, native support for WebP in older versions is often a point of friction.
Native Handling: Recent updates (version 10.x and beyond) have improved performance for batch conversions and updated database compatibility, though the program's interface remains "retro".
Industry Context: Most modern browsers (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox) now have near 100% compatibility with WebP. However, offline software like ThumbsPlus often requires specific codecs or updates to handle these "next-gen" formats seamlessly. 2. Advantages of Using WebP in ThumbsPlus
Integrating WebP into a ThumbsPlus-managed library offers significant benefits for storage and performance: ThumbsPlus 6.0 - DPReview
If ThumbsPlus refuses to generate a thumbnail, trick it:
Ensure .webp files are associated with an image viewer (like Photos or IrfanView) that ThumbsPlus can "ask" for data. Right-click a WebP file > Properties > Opens with > Change to "Windows Photo Viewer" or "Photos."
Cerious Software never built a proprietary WebP encoder from scratch. Instead, they rely on the open-source libwebp library. If your version of ThumbsPlus was compiled before a certain date, the encoder might be missing.