Having read this full thread, the only way I managed to get rid of thumbs.db is by using 7-Zip and choosing the "Delete files after compression" option.
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It is a corporate (locked down) Win11 PC and I've tried the following before 7-Zip...
- I can't rename it (file is in use)
- I can edit it, but can't save it (file is in use)
- I can't Move the folder somewhere else (file is in use)
- I can't run Resource Monitor (needs administrator access)
- I can't start in Safe Mode
- I tried Always show as icons, never thumbails on/off
- I tried Display file icon on thumbnails on/off
- I tried the restarting Explorer trick but that didn't work
- The folder name(s) do not contain "Photo" / "Pictures" / "Video" / "Media", etc.