Strange files appearing in my documents folders

P

Peter

Unopenable files labelled either "Thumbs" or "Desktop" keep appearing in my
various folders. I keep deleting them but they reappear. I can't open them
so have no idea what they're about. Any ideas?
 
R

Ramesh [MVP]

Thumbs.db (Thumbnail cache/database) and Desktop.ini are hidden files. Thumbs.db is a database file containing the small images displayed when you view a folder in "thumbnail" view. Desktop.ini is a text file which contains the folder customizations.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

AumHa VSOP: http://www.aumha.org

"Peter" <r2d2 at cesmail dot net> wrote in message Unopenable files labelled either "Thumbs" or "Desktop" keep appearing in my
various folders. I keep deleting them but they reappear. I can't open them
so have no idea what they're about. Any ideas?
 
P

Peter

Thanks, so they are safe to delete?

--
Peter
Windows XP Home SP1. Pentium 4 @ 3.0ghz, 160gb HD, 1.00gb RAM
Thumbs.db (Thumbnail cache/database) and Desktop.ini are hidden files.
Thumbs.db is a database file containing the small images displayed when you
view a folder in "thumbnail" view. Desktop.ini is a text file which contains
the folder customizations.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

AumHa VSOP: http://www.aumha.org

"Peter" <r2d2 at cesmail dot net> wrote in message
Unopenable files labelled either "Thumbs" or "Desktop" keep appearing in my
various folders. I keep deleting them but they reappear. I can't open them
so have no idea what they're about. Any ideas?
 
R

Ramesh [MVP]

Yes. But the file Thumbs.db is recreated again if you choose Thumbnail view for a image folder. Deleting the Desktop.ini means the customized folder settings, if any (folder icon for example) is lost. To prevent thumbs.db being created. enable "Do not cache thumbnails" entry in the Folder Options.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

AumHa VSOP: http://www.aumha.org

"Peter" <r2d2 at cesmail dot net> wrote in message Thanks, so they are safe to delete?

--
Peter
Windows XP Home SP1. Pentium 4 @ 3.0ghz, 160gb HD, 1.00gb RAM
Thumbs.db (Thumbnail cache/database) and Desktop.ini are hidden files.
Thumbs.db is a database file containing the small images displayed when you
view a folder in "thumbnail" view. Desktop.ini is a text file which contains
the folder customizations.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

AumHa VSOP: http://www.aumha.org

"Peter" <r2d2 at cesmail dot net> wrote in message
Unopenable files labelled either "Thumbs" or "Desktop" keep appearing in my
various folders. I keep deleting them but they reappear. I can't open them
so have no idea what they're about. Any ideas?
 
P

Peter

Thanks Ramesh...any idea re: my strange boot screen (item a few below
this)??

--
Peter
Windows XP Home SP1. Pentium 4 @ 3.0ghz, 160gb HD, 1.00gb RAM
Yes. But the file Thumbs.db is recreated again if you choose Thumbnail view
for a image folder. Deleting the Desktop.ini means the customized folder
settings, if any (folder icon for example) is lost. To prevent thumbs.db
being created. enable "Do not cache thumbnails" entry in the Folder Options.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

AumHa VSOP: http://www.aumha.org

"Peter" <r2d2 at cesmail dot net> wrote in message
Thanks, so they are safe to delete?

--
Peter
Windows XP Home SP1. Pentium 4 @ 3.0ghz, 160gb HD, 1.00gb RAM
Thumbs.db (Thumbnail cache/database) and Desktop.ini are hidden files.
Thumbs.db is a database file containing the small images displayed when you
view a folder in "thumbnail" view. Desktop.ini is a text file which contains
the folder customizations.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

AumHa VSOP: http://www.aumha.org

"Peter" <r2d2 at cesmail dot net> wrote in message
Unopenable files labelled either "Thumbs" or "Desktop" keep appearing in my
various folders. I keep deleting them but they reappear. I can't open them
so have no idea what they're about. Any ideas?
 

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