Unable To delete thumbs.db

Anonymous
2013-01-21T09:48:54+00:00

Since I moved to windows 8 I have been increasingly having a problem  with deleting any thumbs.db. I do not have the files in the folder open nor did I have them open at any point prior to trying to delete the files. But I continual get the error " file is one in explorer" . I never had this problem in windows 7 and if I did have it I would simply restart.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2013-01-22T05:38:50+00:00

Hi,

From your issue description, I understand that You are not able to delete thumbs.db. Please let me know if you are not facing this issue.

Thumbs.db is created when using thumbnail preview. I would suggest you to try the following steps.

a. Press Windows + C and Type Control Panel

b. Click "Appearance and Personalization"

c. Click "Folder Options"

d. Open the "View" tab

e. Uncheck "Display file icon on thumbnails"

f. Click OK, and exit control panel. You should now be able to delete the folder and the thumbs.db file.

Hope this information is helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance with Windows in future. We will be glad to assist.

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-08-13T17:06:13+00:00

    Just move cursor to right upper corner than click on search and type in Folder Option and follow the rest:

    c. Click "Folder Options"

    d. Open the "View" tab

    e. Uncheck "Display file icon on thumbnails"

    f. Click OK, and exit control panel.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-06-16T22:38:45+00:00

    Im facing the same problem.. though there are no files in the folder. I tried your above tip but it didnt help,

    Any other way to delete the useless folders only containing thumbs.db?

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-01-05T22:43:42+00:00

    IanHinton -  Yay!!!   I am happy it worked for you.  I too spent like 2 days trying to solve this problem.  Incredibly frustrating and I remember my relief when a solution was finally found.

    Thanks for letting us know it worked.  Take care and happy computing!  :)

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-01-05T14:48:23+00:00

    Thanks a ton for this solution. I've wasted nearly 2 days of my life because of this stupid bug that MS introduced and have not bothered to fix.

    I'm amazed that so many solutions have to come from users.Once again, thanks a ton.

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