thumbs.db - what is it?

As soon as there are pictures in a folder, the file "thumbs.db" appears. We explain exactly what that is and what functions the Windows file has.

The thumbs.db file in older versions of Windows

Up to Windows XP, "thumbs.db" appeared in every folder containing pictures and videos. The file is created as soon as you switch to the thumbnail. This will reduce the loading time of the preview images.

• This is where the name comes from: "Thumbs" stands for the thumbnails created for the images and the ending ".db" refers to the file as a database.

thumbs.db in Windows Vista to Windows 8

As of Windows Vista, the location of "thumbs.db" has changed. The database files are now all saved centrally in the path "% sysroot% \ Users \ YourName \ AppData \ Local \ Microsoft \ Windows \ Explorer".

• The functionality does not change: Windows still reduces the loading times of the preview images with the file. However, since it is still a system file, you have to confirm the deletion separately.

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