How To Delete Thumbs Db Windows 8

If you're a Windows 8 user, you may have noticed the presence of a mysterious file called Thumbs.db on your computer. This file is created by Windows to store thumbnail images of the files and folders on your system. While it can be useful for quickly viewing thumbnails, it can also take up valuable storage space. In this guide, we'll explore how to delete Thumbs.db in Windows 8, freeing up space on your hard drive and keeping your system running smoothly.

Deleting Thumbs.db is a straightforward process that can be done through Windows Explorer. Simply navigate to the folder where the Thumbs.db file is located, right-click on it, and select "Delete" from the context menu. Alternatively, you can open the Command Prompt and use the command "del Thumbs.db" to delete the file. By regularly removing Thumbs.db from your system, you can optimize your storage space and enhance the performance of your Windows 8 computer.

Understanding Thumbs.db Files in Windows 8

In the Windows operating system, Thumbs.db files are generated by the operating system to cache thumbnail images of picture and video files. These files are stored in each folder that contains media files, and they serve as a way for Windows to display thumbnails faster when browsing files or folders in File Explorer. While Thumbs.db files are useful for improving the user experience, they can take up valuable disk space, especially in folders with a large number of media files. If you need to free up disk space or simply want to remove these files, this article will guide you through the process of deleting Thumbs.db files in Windows 8.

Method 1: Delete Thumbs.db Files Manually

The first method to delete Thumbs.db files in Windows 8 is a manual process that can be performed directly within the File Explorer. Follow the steps below to remove these files:

• Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E.
• Navigate to the folder where you want to delete the Thumbs.db files.
• Click on the "View" tab in the File Explorer menu.
• Check the "Hidden items" box in the Show/hide section of the menu. This will display the Thumbs.db files, as they are hidden by default.
• Select all the Thumbs.db files in the folder by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on each file.
• Right-click on one of the selected files and choose "Delete" from the context menu.
• Alternatively, you can press the Delete key on your keyboard.
• A confirmation dialog will appear, asking if you want to permanently delete the selected files. Click "Yes" to proceed with the deletion.
• Repeat the process for any other folders where you want to delete the Thumbs.db files.

By following these steps, you can manually delete the Thumbs.db files from any folder in Windows 8. However, this method can be time-consuming and impractical if you have many folders with Thumbs.db files. In that case, you may want to consider using a more automated approach, as described in the next method.

Method 1.1: Using the Command Prompt

Another way to delete Thumbs.db files in Windows 8 is by using the Command Prompt. The Command Prompt offers a more efficient method to delete multiple Thumbs.db files across different folders. Here's how to do it:

• Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R, typing "cmd" in the Run dialog, and hitting Enter.
• In the Command Prompt, navigate to the folder where you want to delete the Thumbs.db files. You can use the "cd" command followed by the folder path to navigate to the desired location.
• Once you are inside the desired folder, type the following command and press Enter to delete all the Thumbs.db files in that folder:

del /s /q Thumbs.db

This command will search for all Thumbs.db files in the current folder and its subfolders, and delete them without prompting for confirmation. Repeat these steps for any other folders where you want to remove Thumbs.db files.

Using the Command Prompt can be a quicker and more efficient method to delete Thumbs.db files compared to the manual approach in File Explorer, especially when dealing with multiple folders.

Method 2: Use a Third-Party Cleanup Software

If you prefer a more automated and comprehensive solution to delete Thumbs.db files in Windows 8, you can use third-party cleanup software. These tools are designed to scan your system for unnecessary files and help you remove them easily. Here are some popular cleanup software options:

Software	Description
CCleaner	A widely-used cleanup tool that can remove temporary files, browsing data, and other unnecessary files from your system.
BleachBit	A free and open-source software that can clean up temporary files, browser cache, cookies, and other junk files.
Wise Disk Cleaner	An easy-to-use cleanup tool that can remove junk files, temporary files, and other unnecessary data from your computer.
Advanced SystemCare	A comprehensive system optimization tool that can clean up junk files, optimize system performance, and protect your privacy.

These tools offer additional features and functionalities compared to the manual or Command Prompt methods. They can help you clean up not only Thumbs.db files but also other unnecessary files and optimize your system's performance.

Using CCleaner to Delete Thumbs.db Files

To demonstrate the usage of a third-party cleanup software, let's take a closer look at how to use CCleaner to delete Thumbs.db files:

• Download and install CCleaner from the official website (https://www.ccleaner.com/).
• Launch CCleaner and click on the "Custom Clean" option in the sidebar.
• Under the "Windows" tab, scroll down and locate the "Thumbnail Cache" option.
• Check the "Thumbnail Cache" option to include it in the cleanup process.
• Click on the "Analyze" button to scan your system for unnecessary files, including Thumbs.db files.
• Once the analysis is complete, click on the "Run Cleaner" button to remove the identified files.
• CCleaner will delete the Thumbs.db files along with other unnecessary data from your system.

Using a third-party cleanup software like CCleaner can simplify the process of deleting Thumbs.db files and offer additional system optimization benefits.

Preventing the Generation of Thumbs.db Files

If you find the presence of Thumbs.db files to be a recurring issue or if you simply want to prevent the generation of these files in the first place, there are a couple of methods you can try.

Method 1: Disable Thumbnail Generation

Windows allows you to disable the generation of Thumbs.db files by disabling thumbnail generation altogether. Follow these steps to disable thumbnail generation in Windows 8:

• Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E.
• Click on the "View" tab in the File Explorer menu.
• Click on the "Options" button in the toolbar to open Folder Options.
• In the Folder Options dialog box, go to the "View" tab.
• Under the "Files and Folders" section, check the "Always show icons, never thumbnails" option.
• Click on the "Apply" button to save the changes.
• Click on the "OK" button to close the Folder Options dialog box.

By disabling thumbnail generation, you can prevent the generation of Thumbs.db files. However, keep in mind that this will also disable thumbnail previews in File Explorer.

Method 2: Use Group Policy Editor

If you are using a Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise edition, you can use the Group Policy Editor to disable the generation of Thumbs.db files. Here's how:

• Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type "gpedit.msc" in the Run dialog and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
• In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer.
• Double-click on the "Turn off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files" policy on the right-hand side.
• In the policy settings window, select the "Enabled" option.
• Click on the "Apply" button to save the changes.
• Click on the "OK" button to close the policy settings window.

Disabling the caching of thumbnails using the Group Policy Editor will prevent the generation of Thumbs.db files.

Deleting Thumbs.db files in Windows 8 can help you free up disk space and keep your system organized. Whether you choose the manual method, Command Prompt, or third-party cleanup software, make sure to regularly remove these files to optimize your system's performance. Additionally, consider preventing the generation of Thumbs.db files by disabling thumbnail generation or using the Group Policy Editor, depending on your requirements.

Deleting Thumbs Db files in Windows 8

If you are using Windows 8 and want to delete Thumbs Db files, follow these simple steps:

1. Open File Explorer on your Windows 8 computer.

2. Navigate to the folder where the Thumbs Db files are located. These files are hidden system files and are usually found in folders containing images or videos.

3. Go to the "View" tab in the File Explorer menu.

4. Click on the "Options" button and select "Change folder and search options."

5. In the Folder Options window, go to the "View" tab.

6. Scroll down and uncheck the box that says "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)."

7. Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes.

8. Go back to the folder where the Thumbs Db files are located.

9. Press the "Ctrl" and "A" keys on your keyboard to select all the files in the folder.

10. Press the "Delete" key or right-click on the selected files and choose "Delete" from the context menu.

11. Confirm the deletion by clicking "Yes" when prompted.

12. The Thumbs Db files will now be deleted from your Windows 8 computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we will answer some common questions related to deleting Thumbs.db files in Windows 8.

1. How can I locate the Thumbs.db files in Windows 8?

To locate the Thumbs.db files in Windows 8, you can follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer by pressing Win + E on your keyboard.
2. Navigate to the folder or drive where you want to find the Thumbs.db files.
3. Click on the View tab at the top of the File Explorer window.
4. Check the "Hidden items" box in the Show/hide section.
5. You should now be able to see the Thumbs.db files in the folder or drive.

Remember to make a backup of any files before deleting the Thumbs.db files.

2. Is it safe to delete Thumbs.db files in Windows 8?

Yes, it is safe to delete Thumbs.db files in Windows 8. These files are generated by the operating system to store thumbnail cache for faster file viewing. Deleting them will not cause any harm to your system or files.

However, please note that Thumbs.db files will be automatically recreated by Windows when needed. So, if you delete them, they will reappear in the same location when you open the folder.

3. Can I delete Thumbs.db files from multiple folders at once?

Yes, you can delete Thumbs.db files from multiple folders at once by following these steps:

1. Open File Explorer by pressing Win + E on your keyboard.
2. Navigate to the parent folder that contains the folders with Thumbs.db files.
3. Use the search bar in the top-right corner to search for "thumbs.db".
4. Once the search results appear, select all the Thumbs.db files by pressing Ctrl + A.
5. Right-click on any selected Thumbs.db file and choose Delete.

This will delete all the selected Thumbs.db files from the multiple folders.

4. Why are Thumbs.db files taking up space on my hard drive?

Thumbs.db files can take up space on your hard drive because they store thumbnail cache for faster file viewing. These files are generated by the operating system to improve the performance of file browsing and previewing.

If you have a large number of files and folders with Thumbs.db files, they can accumulate and consume a significant amount of space over time.

5. Is there a way to prevent Windows 8 from creating Thumbs.db files?

Yes, there is a way to prevent Windows 8 from creating Thumbs.db files. Here's how:

1. Open Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Click on "Folder Options" or "File Explorer Options".
3. In the View tab, under Advanced settings, scroll down and find the "Always show icons, never thumbnails" option.
4. Check the box next to this option to enable it.
5. Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.

Enabling this option will prevent Windows 8 from creating Thumbs.db files in folders, but it will also disable the thumbnail preview feature.

To summarize, deleting the Thumbs.db files in Windows 8 is a simple process that can help free up storage space and improve system performance. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can easily locate and delete these files, ensuring a cleaner and more efficient computer experience.

Remember, Thumbs.db files are hidden system files, so users will need to enable the display of hidden files and folders in Windows Explorer before they can locate and delete them. It's important to exercise caution when deleting these files as they are associated with thumbnail caching and may impact the display of thumbnails in certain folders.