Phixion Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee G. Veteran Posted October 21, 2008 Veteran Share Posted October 21, 2008 (edited) When searching, in Advanced Options, make sure that 'Search system folders' and 'Search hidden files and folders' are checked. 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 October 21, 2008 by lcg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phixion Posted October 21, 2008 Author Share Posted October 21, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMartian Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee G. Veteran Posted October 21, 2008 Veteran Share Posted October 21, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phixion Posted October 21, 2008 Author Share Posted October 21, 2008 That sorted it, thanks mate! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMartian Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadgeek9 Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phixion Posted October 21, 2008 Author Share Posted October 21, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiCKX Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Best Thumbs-DB killer: http://www.techtalkz.com/software-releases...esktop-ini.html I love the app.Usually I got some pic sets from buddies with thumbs.db files up to 60MB and even if I have a large enough HDD,I don't need garbage,you know ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack 0Neill Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Check out PureRa, it cleans those and others: http://www.lunarsoft.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=3203 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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