What is thumbs.db and how to delete it

thumbs.db is a hidden system file that is automatically created by the Windows operating system when browsing folders. This file usually contains cached information for the thumbnails in the folder.

The purpose of creating the thumbs.db file is to increase the speed of folder browsing. When you open a folder, Windows saves the thumbnail information in the thumbs.db file. The next time you open the same folder again, the system can directly load the thumbnails instead of regenerating them.

However, for some users, the thumbs.db file can become a nuisance. First of all, it takes up a certain amount of disk space, especially when you browse a lot of picture or video files, the size of the thumbs.db file can be quite considerable. Secondly, the thumbs.db file may reveal some personal privacy or confidential information because snapshots of the thumbnails in the folder are saved in it.

If you want to delete the thumbs.db file, there are several methods to choose from:

1. Show hidden files and delete them manually:

   • Open "File Explorer".
   • Click the "View" tab.
   • In the "Show/Hide" section, check "Hide protected operating system files" in "Hide items".
   • Confirm the operation and click "OK".
   • Open the folder where you want to delete the thumbs.db file, select the thumbs.db file, and then press the "Shift" key and the "Delete" key to delete it simultaneously.

2. Remove using Command Prompt:

   • Click "Start" and enter "cmd" in the search bar.
   • Find "Command Prompt" in the search results, right-click and select "Run as administrator".
   • In the command prompt, enter the following command and press Enter:
     del /s thumbs.db
   • The system will start to search and delete all thumbs.db file.

3. Use third-party software to delete:

   • There are many third-party software that can help you delete thumbs.db files easily, such as "CCleaner", "Unlocker" etc. You can download and install these software from the official website and follow their instructions to delete the thumbs.db file.

No matter which method you choose, deleting the thumbs.db file will not have any impact on the system. In fact, Windows will automatically create this file again when needed to speed up folder browsing. But if you don’t want the system to create the thumbs.db file again, you can follow the steps below to set it up:

1. Open "File Explorer".
2. Click the "View" tab.
3. In the "Options" section, click "Change folder and search options."
4. In the "Folder Options" dialog box, click the "View" tab.
5. In "Advanced Settings", find the "Always show icons, never thumbnails" option and check it.
6. Click "Apply" and "OK" to save changes.

With the above method, you can easily delete the thumbs.db file and prevent the system from creating it again. Remember, before deleting system files, it is best to back up important data in case unforeseen circumstances occur.

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