Got thumbs.db in Windows Explorer? Here's what they are and what you can safely do with them.

I spend a good amount of time in Windows Explorer doing various tasks. Every now and then I run across a file I'm not familiar with and I'm not sure what to do with. Thumbs.db is a good example, it has an odd extension: .db.
You won't see any thumbs.db files unless you've checked "Show Hidden Files and Folders" in the Folder Options panel and are using the icon mode in Explorer, so if you haven't seen them that's probably why. :)
Thumbs.db is much like its name. It stores graphics, movie, and some document files then generates a preview of the folder contents using a thumbnail cache.
These folders are generated automatically by Windows so that folder content doesn't need to be recalculated every time the folder is viewed.

You can disable thumbs.db from being created, which can be useful if you are low on disk space. I've used both modes (enabled and disabled) extensively and haven't noticed any system slow down or increased speed in viewing files. I usually have them disabled because, well, I don't like seeing them when I'm in Windows Explorer. :)
You can safely delete any thumbs.db file although Windows will automatically recreate it unless thumbs.db is disabled.

Here's how you can disable thumbs.db:

For Windows XP:

• Open My Computer
• Click on Tools
• Click Folder Options
• Click the View tab
• Put a check in the box next to "Do not cache thumbnails"
• Click on OK

You're done. :)
(you can close My Computer if you like)

For Windows Vista and Windows 7:

• Click the Start button
• Click on Control Panel
• Click on Folder Options
• Click on the View tab
• Under the Files and Folders section check the button next to "Always show icons, never thumbnails"
• Click on Apply
• Click on OK

You may need to run Disk Cleanup in Vista or Windows 7 to remove any thumbs.db files that have already been created.
Here's how:

• Go to Start
• Go to Accessories
• Go to System Tools
• Go to Disk Cleanup
• In Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection make sure the (C:) drive is showing
• Click OK (disk cleanup will run a brief calculation and then end)
• On the Disk Cleanup Menu make sure there's a check next to the Thumbnails entry.
• Click OK, then on the Delete Files pop up - the files you selected will be cleaned, and you're done.

Off for now,
Rhiannon

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