Thumbs file appearing randomly

[JD]

Lately I've noticed the appearance of "Thumbs" files--in My Documents and in
some sub-folders. Properties shows that they are over a year old.
I'd like to know why they are appearing, and whether it is a bad idea to
delete them, since I only use the Thumbs view in My Pictures.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

It sounds like you do not have file extensions set to show.

The thumbs.db file is generated by Windows. It is a
database file containing the small images displayed when you view a folder
in thumbnail view (as opposed to tile, icon, list, or detail view).

Thumbs.db file contains the thumbnails for a particular folder.

Windows XP uses a compressed database file (Thumbs.db) to increase
performance.

To get rid of Thumbs.db files...

Start | Run | Type: control folders | Click OK |
View tab | Check: Do not cache thumbnails |
Click Apply | Click OK

Do not cache thumbnails
[[Disables automatic storage of folder thumbnails in a cache file. When you
store thumbnail images in a cache file, Windows can reuse them instead of
creating new ones every time you open a folder. If you disable this
automatic storage function, folders that contain thumbnails
might take longer to open.]]

If you use Thumbnail views a lot, you may want to UNCheck Do not cache
thumbnails.

To re-create the Thumbs.db file, click the folder whose contents you are
trying to view in Microsoft Windows Explorer, and then click Thumbnails on
the View menu.

Note: To see the Thumbs.db file, you must be able to view hidden files. To
view hidden files, click Folder Options on the View menu in Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK.

To unhide file extensions, click Folder Options on the View menu in Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Hide extensions for known file types and
then click OK.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[witan]

It sounds like you do not have file extensions set to show.

The thumbs.db file is generated by Windows. It is a
database file containing the small images displayed when you view a folder
in thumbnail view (as opposed to tile, icon, list, or detail view).

Thumbs.db file contains the thumbnails for a particular folder.

Windows XP uses a compressed database file (Thumbs.db) to increase
performance.

To get rid of Thumbs.db files...

Start | Run | Type: control folders | Click OK |
View tab | Check: Do not cache thumbnails |
Click Apply | Click OK

Do not cache thumbnails
[[Disables automatic storage of folder thumbnails in a cache file. When you
store thumbnail images in a cache file, Windows can reuse them instead of
creating new ones every time you open a folder. If you disable this
automatic storage function, folders that contain thumbnails
might take longer to open.]]

If you use Thumbnail views a lot, you may want to UNCheck Do not cache
thumbnails.

To re-create the Thumbs.db file, click the folder whose contents you are
trying to view in Microsoft Windows Explorer, and then click Thumbnails on
the View menu.

Note: To see the Thumbs.db file, you must be able to view hidden files. To
view hidden files, click Folder Options on the View menu in Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK.

To unhide file extensions, click Folder Options on the View menu in Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Hide extensions for known file types and
then click OK.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Lately I've noticed the appearance of "Thumbs" files--in My Documents and
in some sub-folders. Properties shows that they are over a year old.
I'd like to know why they are appearing, and whether it is a bad idea to
delete them, since I only use the Thumbs view in My Pictures.

To: Wesley Vogel
Although I am not the original poster of the query, the information
given by you is very useful for me. Thank you.

 

[JD]

Thanks Wes. The unusual thing about these files is that I DO have the "do
not show hidden files" set. When I look at the Properties page, they are NOT
marked as hidden. However, the "Allow the Indexing Service to..." box is
checked. As I have the Indexing Service permanently disabled, I uncheck this
box. Then the file disappears--literally. It does not just become "hidden."
It isn't catastrophic, really more of a curiosity. I've used Windows since
1995 and have never observed this behavior before.
Is there any reason not to delete the Thumbs file from folders where I don't
use the Thumbs view?
I appreciate your advice about the control folders option. I do use thumbs
in My Pictures, so I don't want to eliminate their automatic storage.
Would that "Do Not Cache Thumbnails" could be applied on a folder-by-folder
basis!
PS: I don't see the relevance of having the file extensions set to show.

It sounds like you do not have file extensions set to show.

The thumbs.db file is generated by Windows. It is a
database file containing the small images displayed when you view a folder
in thumbnail view (as opposed to tile, icon, list, or detail view).

Thumbs.db file contains the thumbnails for a particular folder.

Windows XP uses a compressed database file (Thumbs.db) to increase
performance.

To get rid of Thumbs.db files...

Start | Run | Type: control folders | Click OK |
View tab | Check: Do not cache thumbnails |
Click Apply | Click OK

Do not cache thumbnails
[[Disables automatic storage of folder thumbnails in a cache file. When
you
store thumbnail images in a cache file, Windows can reuse them instead of
creating new ones every time you open a folder. If you disable this
automatic storage function, folders that contain thumbnails
might take longer to open.]]

If you use Thumbnail views a lot, you may want to UNCheck Do not cache
thumbnails.

To re-create the Thumbs.db file, click the folder whose contents you are
trying to view in Microsoft Windows Explorer, and then click Thumbnails on
the View menu.

Note: To see the Thumbs.db file, you must be able to view hidden files. To
view hidden files, click Folder Options on the View menu in Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK.

To unhide file extensions, click Folder Options on the View menu in
Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Hide extensions for known file types
and
then click OK.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Lately I've noticed the appearance of "Thumbs" files--in My Documents and
in some sub-folders. Properties shows that they are over a year old.
I'd like to know why they are appearing, and whether it is a bad idea to
delete them, since I only use the Thumbs view in My Pictures.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Glad to hear it. Keep having fun.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

It sounds like you do not have file extensions set to show.

The thumbs.db file is generated by Windows. It is a
database file containing the small images displayed when you view a
folder in thumbnail view (as opposed to tile, icon, list, or detail
view).

Thumbs.db file contains the thumbnails for a particular folder.

Windows XP uses a compressed database file (Thumbs.db) to increase
performance.

To get rid of Thumbs.db files...

Start | Run | Type: control folders | Click OK |
View tab | Check: Do not cache thumbnails |
Click Apply | Click OK

Do not cache thumbnails
[[Disables automatic storage of folder thumbnails in a cache file. When
you store thumbnail images in a cache file, Windows can reuse them
instead of creating new ones every time you open a folder. If you
disable this automatic storage function, folders that contain thumbnails
might take longer to open.]]

If you use Thumbnail views a lot, you may want to UNCheck Do not cache
thumbnails.

To re-create the Thumbs.db file, click the folder whose contents you are
trying to view in Microsoft Windows Explorer, and then click Thumbnails
on the View menu.

Note: To see the Thumbs.db file, you must be able to view hidden files.
To view hidden files, click Folder Options on the View menu in Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK.

To unhide file extensions, click Folder Options on the View menu in
Windows Explorer, click the View tab, click Hide extensions for known
file types and then click OK.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Lately I've noticed the appearance of "Thumbs" files--in My Documents
and in some sub-folders. Properties shows that they are over a year old.
I'd like to know why they are appearing, and whether it is a bad idea to
delete them, since I only use the Thumbs view in My Pictures.

To: Wesley Vogel
Although I am not the original poster of the query, the information
given by you is very useful for me. Thank you.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

With the Indexing service set to disabled/uninstalled the Allow the Indexing
Service to... box doesn't do anything. I uncheck the boxes when I see them
anyway, it's the principle of the thing. ;-)

Here's what the Help Question Mark sez about...
For fast searching, allow Indexing Service to index this file
[[Specifies whether the contents of the selected file or folder be indexed
for faster searching. Once the file or folder is indexed, you can search for
text within the file or folder as well as search for properties, such as the
date, or attributes of the file or folder.
Indexing a folder does not automatically index files and subfolders in the
folder unless you elect to index the contents when prompted.
If multiple files are selected, a check mark means that all the files have
the indexing attribute set. A filled box means that some files have the
attribute set and some do not.]]

Depending on how many picture files are in a folder with Thumbnail view it
just takes longer to open the folder if thumbnails aren't cached. How long?
Not very. If not using Thumbnail view for a particular folder no reason you
can't delete the thumb.db file for that folder, although it may just get
created anyway. If you do not delete the thumbs.db file, the folder may
revert to Thumbnail view on its own.

Do not cache thumbnails is an all or nothing setting.

Since you do not have file extensions unhidden, we could be talking about
different file types.

These may be of some interest.

Stop Windows from saving the thumbnail cache (THUMBS.DB)
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-204

Disable the automatic display of thumbnails in certain folders
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-203

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks Wes. The unusual thing about these files is that I DO have the "do
not show hidden files" set. When I look at the Properties page, they are
NOT marked as hidden. However, the "Allow the Indexing Service to..." box
is checked. As I have the Indexing Service permanently disabled, I
uncheck this box. Then the file disappears--literally. It does not just
become "hidden." It isn't catastrophic, really more of a curiosity. I've
used Windows since 1995 and have never observed this behavior before.
Is there any reason not to delete the Thumbs file from folders where I
don't use the Thumbs view?
I appreciate your advice about the control folders option. I do use thumbs
in My Pictures, so I don't want to eliminate their automatic storage.
Would that "Do Not Cache Thumbnails" could be applied on a
folder-by-folder basis!
PS: I don't see the relevance of having the file extensions set to show.

It sounds like you do not have file extensions set to show.

The thumbs.db file is generated by Windows. It is a
database file containing the small images displayed when you view a
folder in thumbnail view (as opposed to tile, icon, list, or detail
view).

Thumbs.db file contains the thumbnails for a particular folder.

Windows XP uses a compressed database file (Thumbs.db) to increase
performance.

To get rid of Thumbs.db files...

Start | Run | Type: control folders | Click OK |
View tab | Check: Do not cache thumbnails |
Click Apply | Click OK

Do not cache thumbnails
[[Disables automatic storage of folder thumbnails in a cache file. When
you
store thumbnail images in a cache file, Windows can reuse them instead of
creating new ones every time you open a folder. If you disable this
automatic storage function, folders that contain thumbnails
might take longer to open.]]

If you use Thumbnail views a lot, you may want to UNCheck Do not cache
thumbnails.

To re-create the Thumbs.db file, click the folder whose contents you are
trying to view in Microsoft Windows Explorer, and then click Thumbnails
on the View menu.

Note: To see the Thumbs.db file, you must be able to view hidden files.
To view hidden files, click Folder Options on the View menu in Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK.

To unhide file extensions, click Folder Options on the View menu in
Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Hide extensions for known file types
and
then click OK.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Lately I've noticed the appearance of "Thumbs" files--in My Documents
and in some sub-folders. Properties shows that they are over a year old.
I'd like to know why they are appearing, and whether it is a bad idea to
delete them, since I only use the Thumbs view in My Pictures.

 

[JD]

Thanks for the insight about the Thumbs.db files. An interesting note: I did
a hard drive search using Thumbs.db and found a long list, one for almost
every sub-folder, especially those under My Pictures. These are apparently
"super hidden" files because they only appear when the show system files
option is checked. Those Thumbs files that appear sporadically are, it
seems, supposed to be super hidden, but for some reason are appearing
without that attribute set. However, as I said, when I uncheck "Allow the
Indexing Service..," they do disappear. Interesting.

With the Indexing service set to disabled/uninstalled the Allow the
Indexing
Service to... box doesn't do anything. I uncheck the boxes when I see
them
anyway, it's the principle of the thing. ;-)

Here's what the Help Question Mark sez about...
For fast searching, allow Indexing Service to index this file
[[Specifies whether the contents of the selected file or folder be indexed
for faster searching. Once the file or folder is indexed, you can search
for
text within the file or folder as well as search for properties, such as
the
date, or attributes of the file or folder.
Indexing a folder does not automatically index files and subfolders in the
folder unless you elect to index the contents when prompted.
If multiple files are selected, a check mark means that all the files have
the indexing attribute set. A filled box means that some files have the
attribute set and some do not.]]

Depending on how many picture files are in a folder with Thumbnail view it
just takes longer to open the folder if thumbnails aren't cached. How
long?
Not very. If not using Thumbnail view for a particular folder no reason
you
can't delete the thumb.db file for that folder, although it may just get
created anyway. If you do not delete the thumbs.db file, the folder may
revert to Thumbnail view on its own.

Do not cache thumbnails is an all or nothing setting.

Since you do not have file extensions unhidden, we could be talking about
different file types.

These may be of some interest.

Stop Windows from saving the thumbnail cache (THUMBS.DB)
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-204

Disable the automatic display of thumbnails in certain folders
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-203

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks Wes. The unusual thing about these files is that I DO have the "do
not show hidden files" set. When I look at the Properties page, they are
NOT marked as hidden. However, the "Allow the Indexing Service to..." box
is checked. As I have the Indexing Service permanently disabled, I
uncheck this box. Then the file disappears--literally. It does not just
become "hidden." It isn't catastrophic, really more of a curiosity. I've
used Windows since 1995 and have never observed this behavior before.
Is there any reason not to delete the Thumbs file from folders where I
don't use the Thumbs view?
I appreciate your advice about the control folders option. I do use
thumbs
in My Pictures, so I don't want to eliminate their automatic storage.
Would that "Do Not Cache Thumbnails" could be applied on a
folder-by-folder basis!
PS: I don't see the relevance of having the file extensions set to show.

It sounds like you do not have file extensions set to show.

The thumbs.db file is generated by Windows. It is a
database file containing the small images displayed when you view a
folder in thumbnail view (as opposed to tile, icon, list, or detail
view).

Thumbs.db file contains the thumbnails for a particular folder.

Windows XP uses a compressed database file (Thumbs.db) to increase
performance.

To get rid of Thumbs.db files...

Start | Run | Type: control folders | Click OK |
View tab | Check: Do not cache thumbnails |
Click Apply | Click OK

Do not cache thumbnails
[[Disables automatic storage of folder thumbnails in a cache file. When
you
store thumbnail images in a cache file, Windows can reuse them instead
of
creating new ones every time you open a folder. If you disable this
automatic storage function, folders that contain thumbnails
might take longer to open.]]

If you use Thumbnail views a lot, you may want to UNCheck Do not cache
thumbnails.

To re-create the Thumbs.db file, click the folder whose contents you are
trying to view in Microsoft Windows Explorer, and then click Thumbnails
on the View menu.

Note: To see the Thumbs.db file, you must be able to view hidden files.
To view hidden files, click Folder Options on the View menu in Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK.

To unhide file extensions, click Folder Options on the View menu in
Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Hide extensions for known file types
and
then click OK.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In JD <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Lately I've noticed the appearance of "Thumbs" files--in My Documents
and in some sub-folders. Properties shows that they are over a year
old.
I'd like to know why they are appearing, and whether it is a bad idea
to
delete them, since I only use the Thumbs view in My Pictures.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Beats me about the relationship between Indexing service and thumbs.db.

thumbs.db files are System and Hidden files. My original post was
incorrect. You have to have Hide protected operating system files
(Recommended) UNChecked to see them.

Delete one and read the message that pops up.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks for the insight about the Thumbs.db files. An interesting note: I
did a hard drive search using Thumbs.db and found a long list, one for
almost every sub-folder, especially those under My Pictures. These are
apparently "super hidden" files because they only appear when the show
system files option is checked. Those Thumbs files that appear
sporadically are, it seems, supposed to be super hidden, but for some
reason are appearing without that attribute set. However, as I said, when
I uncheck "Allow the Indexing Service..," they do disappear. Interesting.

With the Indexing service set to disabled/uninstalled the Allow the
Indexing
Service to... box doesn't do anything. I uncheck the boxes when I see
them
anyway, it's the principle of the thing. ;-)

Here's what the Help Question Mark sez about...
For fast searching, allow Indexing Service to index this file
[[Specifies whether the contents of the selected file or folder be
indexed for faster searching. Once the file or folder is indexed, you
can search for
text within the file or folder as well as search for properties, such as
the
date, or attributes of the file or folder.
Indexing a folder does not automatically index files and subfolders in
the folder unless you elect to index the contents when prompted.
If multiple files are selected, a check mark means that all the files
have the indexing attribute set. A filled box means that some files have
the attribute set and some do not.]]

Depending on how many picture files are in a folder with Thumbnail view
it just takes longer to open the folder if thumbnails aren't cached. How
long?
Not very. If not using Thumbnail view for a particular folder no reason
you
can't delete the thumb.db file for that folder, although it may just get
created anyway. If you do not delete the thumbs.db file, the folder may
revert to Thumbnail view on its own.

Do not cache thumbnails is an all or nothing setting.

Since you do not have file extensions unhidden, we could be talking about
different file types.

These may be of some interest.

Stop Windows from saving the thumbnail cache (THUMBS.DB)
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-204

Disable the automatic display of thumbnails in certain folders
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-203

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks Wes. The unusual thing about these files is that I DO have the
"do not show hidden files" set. When I look at the Properties page,
they are NOT marked as hidden. However, the "Allow the Indexing Service
to..." box is checked. As I have the Indexing Service permanently
disabled, I uncheck this box. Then the file disappears--literally. It
does not just become "hidden." It isn't catastrophic, really more of a
curiosity. I've used Windows since 1995 and have never observed this
behavior before.
Is there any reason not to delete the Thumbs file from folders where I
don't use the Thumbs view?
I appreciate your advice about the control folders option. I do use
thumbs
in My Pictures, so I don't want to eliminate their automatic storage.
Would that "Do Not Cache Thumbnails" could be applied on a
folder-by-folder basis!
PS: I don't see the relevance of having the file extensions set to show.
It sounds like you do not have file extensions set to show.

The thumbs.db file is generated by Windows. It is a
database file containing the small images displayed when you view a
folder in thumbnail view (as opposed to tile, icon, list, or detail
view).

Thumbs.db file contains the thumbnails for a particular folder.

Windows XP uses a compressed database file (Thumbs.db) to increase
performance.

To get rid of Thumbs.db files...

Start | Run | Type: control folders | Click OK |
View tab | Check: Do not cache thumbnails |
Click Apply | Click OK

Do not cache thumbnails
[[Disables automatic storage of folder thumbnails in a cache file. When
you
store thumbnail images in a cache file, Windows can reuse them instead
of
creating new ones every time you open a folder. If you disable this
automatic storage function, folders that contain thumbnails
might take longer to open.]]

If you use Thumbnail views a lot, you may want to UNCheck Do not cache
thumbnails.

To re-create the Thumbs.db file, click the folder whose contents you
are trying to view in Microsoft Windows Explorer, and then click
Thumbnails on the View menu.

Note: To see the Thumbs.db file, you must be able to view hidden files.
To view hidden files, click Folder Options on the View menu in Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK.

To unhide file extensions, click Folder Options on the View menu in
Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Hide extensions for known file
types and
then click OK.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In JD <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Lately I've noticed the appearance of "Thumbs" files--in My Documents
and in some sub-folders. Properties shows that they are over a year
old.
I'd like to know why they are appearing, and whether it is a bad idea
to
delete them, since I only use the Thumbs view in My Pictures.

 

[JD]

Wes,
To conclude this rather lengthy exchange, and in case anyone is interested,
here is what I have concluded:
A Thumbs.db file appears in a sub-folder of My Documents. Properties shows
that the Hidden attribute is NOT checked.
When I uncheck "Allow Indexing Service...," the icon becomes a shadow and
the Properties page then shows it as Hidden (and with the checkbox greyed
out--as it should be on system files.) When the folder is closed and
reopened, the file no longer appears.
As you say, "Beats me about the relationship between Indexing service and
thumbs.db."

Beats me about the relationship between Indexing service and thumbs.db.

thumbs.db files are System and Hidden files. My original post was
incorrect. You have to have Hide protected operating system files
(Recommended) UNChecked to see them.

Delete one and read the message that pops up.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Thanks for the insight about the Thumbs.db files. An interesting note: I
did a hard drive search using Thumbs.db and found a long list, one for
almost every sub-folder, especially those under My Pictures. These are
apparently "super hidden" files because they only appear when the show
system files option is checked. Those Thumbs files that appear
sporadically are, it seems, supposed to be super hidden, but for some
reason are appearing without that attribute set. However, as I said, when
I uncheck "Allow the Indexing Service..," they do disappear. Interesting.

With the Indexing service set to disabled/uninstalled the Allow the
Indexing
Service to... box doesn't do anything. I uncheck the boxes when I see
them
anyway, it's the principle of the thing. ;-)

Here's what the Help Question Mark sez about...
For fast searching, allow Indexing Service to index this file
[[Specifies whether the contents of the selected file or folder be
indexed for faster searching. Once the file or folder is indexed, you
can search for
text within the file or folder as well as search for properties, such as
the
date, or attributes of the file or folder.
Indexing a folder does not automatically index files and subfolders in
the folder unless you elect to index the contents when prompted.
If multiple files are selected, a check mark means that all the files
have the indexing attribute set. A filled box means that some files have
the attribute set and some do not.]]

Depending on how many picture files are in a folder with Thumbnail view
it just takes longer to open the folder if thumbnails aren't cached.
How
long?
Not very. If not using Thumbnail view for a particular folder no reason
you
can't delete the thumb.db file for that folder, although it may just get
created anyway. If you do not delete the thumbs.db file, the folder may
revert to Thumbnail view on its own.

Do not cache thumbnails is an all or nothing setting.

Since you do not have file extensions unhidden, we could be talking
about
different file types.

These may be of some interest.

Stop Windows from saving the thumbnail cache (THUMBS.DB)
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-204

Disable the automatic display of thumbnails in certain folders
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-203

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In JD <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Thanks Wes. The unusual thing about these files is that I DO have the
"do not show hidden files" set. When I look at the Properties page,
they are NOT marked as hidden. However, the "Allow the Indexing Service
to..." box is checked. As I have the Indexing Service permanently
disabled, I uncheck this box. Then the file disappears--literally. It
does not just become "hidden." It isn't catastrophic, really more of a
curiosity. I've used Windows since 1995 and have never observed this
behavior before.
Is there any reason not to delete the Thumbs file from folders where I
don't use the Thumbs view?
I appreciate your advice about the control folders option. I do use
thumbs
in My Pictures, so I don't want to eliminate their automatic storage.
Would that "Do Not Cache Thumbnails" could be applied on a
folder-by-folder basis!
PS: I don't see the relevance of having the file extensions set to
show.
It sounds like you do not have file extensions set to show.

The thumbs.db file is generated by Windows. It is a
database file containing the small images displayed when you view a
folder in thumbnail view (as opposed to tile, icon, list, or detail
view).

Thumbs.db file contains the thumbnails for a particular folder.

Windows XP uses a compressed database file (Thumbs.db) to increase
performance.

To get rid of Thumbs.db files...

Start | Run | Type: control folders | Click OK |
View tab | Check: Do not cache thumbnails |
Click Apply | Click OK

Do not cache thumbnails
[[Disables automatic storage of folder thumbnails in a cache file.
When
you
store thumbnail images in a cache file, Windows can reuse them instead
of
creating new ones every time you open a folder. If you disable this
automatic storage function, folders that contain thumbnails
might take longer to open.]]

If you use Thumbnail views a lot, you may want to UNCheck Do not cache
thumbnails.

To re-create the Thumbs.db file, click the folder whose contents you
are trying to view in Microsoft Windows Explorer, and then click
Thumbnails on the View menu.

Note: To see the Thumbs.db file, you must be able to view hidden
files.
To view hidden files, click Folder Options on the View menu in Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Show All Files, and then click OK.

To unhide file extensions, click Folder Options on the View menu in
Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Hide extensions for known file
types and
then click OK.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In JD <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Lately I've noticed the appearance of "Thumbs" files--in My Documents
and in some sub-folders. Properties shows that they are over a year
old.
I'd like to know why they are appearing, and whether it is a bad idea
to
delete them, since I only use the Thumbs view in My Pictures.