Thumbs.db


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Hey, yet another thread on Thumbs.db!

I know I have a few of these on my PC, laying around in the odd folder, problem is I can't search for them using the Windows XP search feature. I'd like to search for and delete them.

Any help appreciated! :)

Cheers

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When searching, in Advanced Options, make sure that 'Search system folders' and 'Search hidden files and folders' are checked.

searchthumbs.png

As you can see, I use the classic search rather than the default search companion (i.e. the dog), but you should be able to find the same options.

Edited by lcg
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I'm still unable to find them, yet when I browse with 7-Zip I can see them.

They are on my second HDD, labelled D: - I'm searching on all drives but it still isn't picking them up.

capture.png

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Strangely enough, Windows' built-in find will not find those thumb.db files that are marked as hidden by the system (even after you check the appropriate boxes in advanced search).

Locate32, on the other hand, finds all of them. I've used this bugger for ages now and it still never fails me one bit.

Windows Find results: 8 items found.

Locate32 results: 13 items found.

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I'm still unable to find them, yet when I browse with 7-Zip I can see them.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that - you should go into Folder Options and on the View tab you should check 'Show hidden files and folders' and check 'Hide protected operating system files'.

http://localhostr.com/files/e406e1/folderoptions.png

You will then be able to see the hidden thumb.db files.

http://localhostr.com/files/baf125/searchthumbs2.png

Remember to later go back and set the folder options so that the hidden files and hidden operating system files are hidden.

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Hmm yeah, I forgot I did turn that option on, lest I delete stuff that may be used by the system.. I am known to have lapses where I think "What's that file doing there? DELETE!". Probably just like the OP :p

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By the way - if you want to use Thumbnail view, it will have to regenerate all of the thumbnails, as they're all in thumbs.db AFAIK.

Yeah that's okay, I don't use thumbnail view - I've also turned on "Do not cache thumbnails" to stop it creating them.

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