ARCHIVED: In Windows, what are thumbs.db files and how do I get rid of them?

In Windows, thumbs.db files are database files containing the small images displayed when you view a folder in Thumbnail view (as opposed to Tile, Icon, List, or Detail view). These files are automatically generated by Windows, and there is no harm in deleting them or excluding them from system backups.

To prevent Windows from generating thumbs.db files, disable thumbnail caching in your Folder Options settings. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Click Start and select either Control Panel, or Settings and then Control Panel. If Switch to Classic View is available on the left side of the Control Panel, click it.
2. Double-click the Folder Options icon.
3. Click the View tab.
4. Check the box next to Do not cache thumbnails.
5. Click OK.

To remove thumbs.db files from your computer, do the following:

1. Click the Start button and select Search, then For Files or Folders....
2. In the "All or part of the file name:" field, type:

     thumbs.db

3. In the "Look in:" drop-down menu, select Local Hard Drives (C:).
4. Click Search. A list of thumbs.db files will appear in the right window.
5. Select all of the thumbs.db files by pressing Ctrl-a. Press Delete to remove the files.