How do I delete thumbs.db? This is a common question among Windows users who are looking to free up space on their devices or manage their file system more efficiently. The thumbs.db file is a cache that stores thumbnail images for files in Windows Explorer, which can become unnecessary and take up valuable space over time. In this article, we will guide you through the process of deleting the thumbs.db file and provide some tips on how to prevent it from reappearing.
Thumbs.db files are typically located in the same directory as the images they represent. Deleting this file can be done in a few simple steps. However, it is important to note that deleting the thumbs.db file may result in the thumbnails not being displayed in Windows Explorer for the affected files. Let’s dive into the process.
Step 1: Locate the thumbs.db file
First, you need to find the thumbs.db file on your computer. To do this, open File Explorer and navigate to the folder that contains the files for which you want to delete the thumbnails. The thumbs.db file is usually located in the same directory as the images.
Step 2: Delete the thumbs.db file
Once you have located the thumbs.db file, you can delete it by right-clicking on it and selecting “Delete” from the context menu. You may be prompted to confirm the deletion. Click “Yes” to proceed.
Step 3: Clear the thumbnail cache
After deleting the thumbs.db file, it is a good idea to clear the thumbnail cache to ensure that thumbnails are not automatically recreated. To do this, open a Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by typing “cmd” in the Start menu search bar, right-clicking on “Command Prompt,” and selecting “Run as administrator.”
In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
rd /s /q %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\Thumbs.db
“`
This command will delete the thumbs.db file from the cache directory.
Step 4: Restart Windows Explorer
To ensure that the changes take effect, restart Windows Explorer. You can do this by closing all open File Explorer windows and pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. In Task Manager, go to the “Processes” tab, right-click on “Windows Explorer,” and select “End Task.” Then, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc again to reopen File Explorer.
Preventing thumbs.db from reappearing
To prevent the thumbs.db file from reappearing in the future, you can disable thumbnail caching in Windows. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open the Control Panel and navigate to “Appearance and Personalization.”
2. Click on “File Explorer Options.”
3. In the “View” tab, uncheck the box next to “Show icons and thumbnails instead of thumbnails and icons.”
4. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
By following these steps, you can effectively delete the thumbs.db file and manage thumbnail caching on your Windows device. Remember that deleting the thumbs.db file may result in temporary inconvenience, but it can be a valuable step for optimizing your file system and freeing up space.
