How do I turn off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files.?
I am tormented by the problem in Windows 8.1 of not being able to easily and efficiently delete a folder because of "thumbs.db" being in use by another program. I have Windows 8.1 (regular edition, not Pro.) I need thumbnails enabled in folder views to do
my work and I need to be able to delete a folder when I choose to do so without having to change window views, or reset my computer, etc. I have spent a lot of time trying to find a solution posted somewhere.
A solution offered in one thread (
here ) advises the following:
- Go to the Start screen
- Type gpedit.msc in the search box and hit Enter.
- Expand User Configuration- Administrative Templates - Windows Components.
- Click on File Explorer.
- In the right pane, Right-click the entry Turn off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files and choose Edit. Be careful to get the right one, as there are several settings with similar names.
- Enable the setting and OK out.
My version of Windows 8.1 has no "gpedit.msc", no group policy management, etc. I am glad that that is a solution for those who have the Pro version of Windows 8.1, but it unfortunately doesn't help resolve my issue.
This thread (
here ) advises:
- Click the Start button .
- Click on Control Panel .
- Click on Folder Options .
- Click on the View tab .
- Under the Files and Folders section check the button next to "Always show icons, never thumbnails" .
- Click on Apply .
- Click on OK .
This is not a solution because I need thumbnails turned on. The original poster of that thread did seem to find a solution involving registry manipulation that was a bit over my head. He said,
Update: I ended up adding "DisableThumbsDBOnNetworkFolders"=dword:00000001
and "DisableThumbnailCache”=dword:00000001 to the various locations recommended
by various sites for windows this and windows that ... one of them fixed it
Can someone possibly explain how to do that in enough detail that I can replicate the steps taken to fix it? I have not edited my registry. I couldn't find enough information for me to do what he briefly described.
Two solutions are offered in another thread ( here ) first
saying to navigate to the settings in the Folder Options > View tab and make sure the box for "Display file icon on thumbnails" is not checked. That did not resolve the issue. I still often get a message that I can not delete a folder because "thumbs.db"
is open in another program.
And lastly, the solution at the end of the above thread led to my finally just being exasperated:
Babu V replied on Microsoft Support Engineer
Hi,
Start your computer in safe mode and check if you can delete it.
Refer this link to start the computer in safe mode.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode
I really hope that Babu who wrote that really just did not understand the issue. Yes, if I reset my computer, I can delete the stubborn folder. Please don't tell me that is what you expect anyone to do. I want to be respectful while posting and asking for
help, but that is a very frustrating suggestion there. Imagining the amount of time wasted resetting my computer into safe mode each and every time this happens staggers me. I can only guess Babu thought it was just a singular occurence.
So, in summary, I have Windows 8.1 regular edition, I do not have Group Policy editting, I need to see thumbnails in my file explorer windows, and I repeatedly get the "thumbs.db" in use error when trying to delete folders. I have spent hours looking for a
solution and authoring this synopsis and request for assistance. Please please please please give us a final, unequivocable response that has a simple solution that works, help outlining the more complicated process to achieve relief by editting the registry,
or a statement that this issue regretfully can not be resolved.
I have my fingers crossed. Thank you for your time and assistance.
