How to Remove or Hide Thumbs.db Files in Windows XP

While using Windows XP, you will surely encounter many strange files that have the name Thumbs.db. You might think that they are viruses, but the question that raises is if we can delete or hide those files without causing damage to the operating system? Fortunately, those files are created automatically by Windows and can be easily removed or hidden from your Windows.


What are Thumbs.db files?

Thumbs.db

Thumbs is the abbreviation of the word Thumbnails.

db is the abbreviation of the word Database.

This file is, therefore, a database file for image thumbnails. In fact, it is a cache file containing image thumbnails for a Windows folder. When opening a folder, Windows automatically creates this file and stores image thumbnails for later use.

A- How to hide Thumbs.db files?

We need to modify two Windows options in order to hide these files.

1. Open any Windows folder, then go to Tools > Folder Options.

2. Open View tab, select "Do not show hidden files and folders" and check on "Hide protected operating.." as shown in the picture listed below, then click OK.

B- How to disable the thumbnail cache?

1. Open any Windows folder, then go to Tools > Folder Options.

2. Open View tab, check on "Do not cache thumbnails", then click OK.

From now on, Windows will no longer create Thumbs.db files.

C- How to delete already created Thumbs.db files?

1. Press Windows + R keys, type cmd, then click OK.

2. Type the following command, then press Enter:

                cd../..

3. Type now this command, then press Eneter:

                del /S /AR /AS /AH /AA thumbs.db

This command will delete all thumbs.db files for the current drive. That's it.