Thumbs.db files are database files that are created automatically by Windows whenever you have viewed a folder in thumbnail view and changed that to another view later on. More or less a thumbnail cache. Unfortunately though that file could pose a privacy risk. Even if you did delete images in that folder the thumbs.db file will still contain the thumbnails of the deleted images.
The thumbs.db files are hidden by Windows by default and I tell everyone to turn off the creation of the thumbs.db files because I personally feel that they are more of a burden than of any use. You disable thumbs.db file creation in the Windows Explorer. Click on Tools > Folder Options and change to the View tab in the opening menu.
Check the Do Not Cache Thumbnails option under Files and Folders. This will stop the generation of the thumbs.db files on your computer.
Even if you turn off that option the existing thumbs.db files will still be in place. I’m going to show you how you can view the contents of those files with a thumbs.db viewer and afterwards how you can clean all of them in one go using a thumbs.db cleaner.
You can use a software named Thumbnails Database Folder to view the contents of a thumbs.db file by simply dragging and dropping those files into the thumbs.db viewer. You might have to turn off the option in Windows Explorer to hide protected operating system files. This is an option in the same View menu that you accessed earlier to turn off the creation of the thumbs.db files.
The Thumbnails Database Cleaner is scanning a hard drive for thumbs.db files, and finds them even if they are hidden. By default all thumbs.db files are selected. You might uncheck some in case you want to retain them. Once that is finished you click on Clean and all selected files are removed from the system.
This, in combination with the disabling of the thumbs.db file creation, removes all thumbs.db files from your system and makes sure that those are not generated again.
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I share a directory with a mac and a pc. I’m bored to see that f***ing thumb.db file each time.
Thanks to you, I’ll never have the probleme again.
Disabling thumb.db is an essential step towards the protection of one`s privacy. Good one Martin.
So what exactly is the purpose of these thumbnail files? Why does Windows create them? They must have some use and there must be some downside to deleting them.
Their only usage is that the thumbnails of the images on your pc load faster – therefore there is not really a downside when you delete them.
Hi !
Is a software necessary to do the job ? Can’t it be done with the Search fonction of Windows, then Delete all ? (I can’t answer that question because I’m not using Windows XP right now)
A software is not needed, just make sure that your search finds hidden files as well. (or disable that they are hidden first)
Disabling the generation of thumb.db will do- but when it comes to deletion – use something that will overwrite the data. Or it will not make any difference since the files would be easy to recover
If the files have already been created, they can be removed using the Windows Explorer Search functionality. how ever. as Skykid mentioned, its not a good practice.
But Just in case you wish to search and remove those files using WinXP Search Functionality
open Win Explorer > Search
click: Documents (Word Processing, Spreadsheet etc.)
Click: Use Advanced Search Options—- Located below, above the search button
Check the tickbox: Search hidden files and folders
in the search criteria, you could now enter thumbs.db or use any wild cards…. and the files shall display when search upon…
you can delete the files or whatever you wish to do…
and do make it a point to securely delete them, or atleast, clearing out your recycle bin folder…
DM Thumbs, found at http://www.dmthumbs.com/ is another program I like that does pretty much the same thing.
The main difference being that the Thumbnails Database program Martin recommended is free, and the crap Julie recommended costs money.
OMG, that’s fantastic! If anyone out there is willing to create a pure and simple PC without all this CRAP on it, the product will sell like crazy ….. please, someone, do it!
Ok, if downloaded the thumbs viewer, and it actually worked to see the deleted gif files I had recovered with another program. All others I have tried had failed.
Now, I would like to see the images clear, in full size, and be able to print them. Could you please tell me how I do that.
Thanks.
great.. thanks very much