How to Delete Thumbs.db Files

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A step-by-step guide on deleting thumb.db files

Co-authored by Scott St Gelais

Last Updated: August 25, 2023 Tested

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This wikiHow teaches you how to find and delete "Thumbs.db" files on your computer, using a Windows PC.

Steps

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Find and double-click on the folder containing your image files to open it in a new File Explorer window.
This button is at the top of the File Explorer window, above the folder directory. It will open your file and folder viewing options on a toolbar at the top.

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Check the

Hidden items option on the View toolbar. You can find this option in the "Show/hide" section of the View toolbar.
- When this option is checked, you'll be able to see regular hidden files on your computer.
- To show hidden files, you can change the view inside File Explorer.
- The view can show or hide hidden files, file extensions, and things like that.
- If you want to change the permissions of a file, right-click on the file or folder. Then go down to properties at the bottom of the context menu. Inside properties, you can go to the security tab.
This button is on the right-end of the toolbar. It will open a drop-down menu.
This will open your Folder Options menu in a new dialogue box.
This button is at the top of the dialogue box. You can manually change all your file and folder viewing options here.
You can find this option under the "Hidden files and folders" heading in the Advanced Settings box here.
This will confirm your action, and uncheck the option.
This will apply your new folder settings. You can now see your "Thumbs.db" files in the folder containing your images.
You can find this file in the same folder as your image files.
It's towards the bottom between "Create shortcut" and "Rename."
This will confirm your action, and move the selected Thumbs.db file to your computer's Trash or Recycle Bin.