The invention provides a method and a
system used for classifying image files in
instant messaging, belonging to the technical field of computers and
software. The method comprises the following steps: collecting
instant messaging information transmitted by an
instant messaging tool, judging whether the
information type is image information or not, if so, utilizing the image information to generate a corresponding
thumbnail, establishing a mapping relationship between the
thumbnail and a storage path of the image information, and storing the mapping relationship; classifying the
thumbnail of the image information, and outputting the thumbnail of the image information in the instant messaging tool; and collecting triggering operation information specific to the thumbnail, recalling an original image corresponding to the thumbnail for outputting, and / or recalling an instant messaging information
record corresponding to the thumbnail for outputting. In the invention, the method and the
system are utilized, so that the image information in the instant messaging information can be classified and output in a thumbnail manner, a user can check the original image information by the thumbnail and the context corresponding to the original image information.