How to Delete Thumbs.db file? What is it?

[Jeffrey]

If you have been using Windows for a while, you have surely already faced many files named Thumbs.db which is quite strange for a first time computer user, but you do not know what's the point? Is this a virus? Can they be deleted without damaging Windows? In any case, it takes much space and you are not asked for your opinion! Finally you will see here what it is, and how to eradicate them.

What is Thumbs.db?
When you look at the file properties Thumbs.db, it is written this way: File database.

• Thumbs is shortform for Thumbnails, which in English computer, finds its equivalent in "thumbnail image.
• db, it is an acronym for "data base", ie "database."

This file is a database file for thumbnails of images.

Specifically, it is a cache file containing the thumbnails of the "miniature" and "film" of a file. When viewing the file, Windows creates this file and stores images for next uses, so as not to scratch every time, because it takes memory and is long enough to achieve short, so we can fix it.

However, the limited gain caused by it, involves the creation of these files which can be countlessly annoying: for example when you want to share a P2P file, or copy a file, the contents of a file are send on the Internet (it happened to me when I sent my files to a web server) or by e-mail, etc.., Thumbs.db files are also sent, and it unnecessarily slows down the operations, because they may exceed the megabyte to unity.
On a computer dating about 5 years, there may be about a hundred files of Thumbs.db!

You can delete them as you want, but they will be automatically recreated (if some option has not been modified), which is where the problem rises if we want to get rid of it. Moreover, even the miniatures of old images are deleted in these files.

If you're tired of seeing these files and dont want to suffer the consequences, you have a choice: either you make sure not to see them displayed, or you delete them. The following sub-section is for people not wanting to appear more the while leaving them to continue operating. If you want to disable and delete, skip it.

[Jeffrey]

Do not show these files...

If you do not want to see these files appear all the time, you just have to change two options of Windows to no longer see hidden files or system files protected. It's a safe procedure, do not worry about that. Open any folder, then click on "Tools -> Folder Options ..." and finally, just on the image below: check "Do not show hidden files and folders" and "Hide protected files of the operating system (recommended)" if not already checked.

... or disable the caching of thumbnails ...

To eradicate the Thumbs.db files, you must first disable an option of Windows allowing caching of the thumbnails which is safe, so do not worry!

Open any folder, and then do this in the toolbar: Tools -> Folder Options ... -> Display "and check "Do not cache thumbnails".

Thumbs.db will no longer be created by Windows now. While some may return, it is that they do not come from your computer, but from elsewhere (eg: by downloading or transferring files using floppy disks or USB keys ...).

... and delete the Thumbs.db files!

Now that we have disabled the caching of thumbnails, we can tackle the files that are present already. There are several solutions:

It uses MS-DOS ...

There is a process to remove Thumbs.db files through the command prompt MS-DOS. However, it does not work well if there are multiple drives (C: \, E: \, etc.)..
To access the command prompt MS-DOS, click on "Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt." Then type:

... or delete it from a software ...

I've found a good software to remove the files: Download DelThumbs.

You will then have to click on "Search" , check "include all drives" and click "Search -> New Search." All Thumbs.db files on your disks will be displayed on the right. Then click on "Tools -> Delete selected files" and you are now rid of them.

This solution may seem a little more powerful than the first: the first images found 9 files on my computer, this is ALL files including those already in the trash, and which are in some places that could not be accessed, etc.. And this can cause problems when you attempt to remove.

Just click on "Start -> Search -> For Files or Folders" and then choose All files and folders. Thumbs.db type in the file name has to be found and it is very important: in Advanced Options, check Search system folders, Search in files and hidden folders and if not checked, search in the sub - files.

Start the search, and list all Thumbs.db that appears: select all (those whose address begins with a drive letter, as they are the ones that do not pose any problem) and then send them to the trash (delete them). Finally, empty the trash.

For Windows Vista
Windows Vista users have an option in "Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup" called "miniatures" to remove them at once.

Furthermore, the Thumbs.db files are thumbnails of images, software Tweak UI allows their use and modification in the size of thumbnails and also their quality control. Well, we were finally able to disable and delete these bulky files! If you have any further queries then please feel free to ask any questions at our Techarena forums.