{"id":2635,"date":"2014-10-20T06:55:06","date_gmt":"2014-10-20T11:55:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/?p=2635"},"modified":"2016-09-22T10:36:04","modified_gmt":"2016-09-22T15:36:04","slug":"clear-thumbnails-cache","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neosmart.net\/wiki\/clear-thumbnails-cache\/","title":{"rendered":"Clear Thumbnails Cache – Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

This guide shows you how to clear the thumbnails cache<\/strong> for the following Windows versions: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 or 10.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Windows XP<\/h2>\n

How to clear the thumbnails cache in Windows XP<\/h3>\n

To clear the thumbnails cache in Windows XP, follow these instructions:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Open Windows Explorer (or open My Computer)<\/li>\n
  2. Click Tools<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Select Folder Options<\/strong><\/li>\n
  4. The Folder Options window will appear<\/li>\n
  5. Go to the View tab<\/em><\/li>\n
  6. Under Hidden files and folders<\/em> section, check Show hidden files and folders<\/strong><\/li>\n
  7. Under Hidden files and folders<\/em> section, uncheck Hide protected operating system files<\/b>\u00a0and click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n
  8. Click Start<\/strong><\/li>\n
  9. Click Search<\/strong><\/li>\n
  10. Select All files and folders<\/strong> from the left side<\/li>\n
  11. Type Thumbs.db<\/code> in the All or part of the file name<\/em> field<\/li>\n
  12. Click Search<\/strong><\/li>\n
  13. Search will now list all instances of the Thumbs.db file found on your
    \ncomputer<\/li>\n
  14. Select all the files listed by pressing Ctrl<\/kbd> + A<\/kbd> and then press the Shift<\/kbd> + Delete<\/kbd> keys to delete the selected
    \nfiles.Or, simply right-click on these files and click Delete<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  15. Empty your Recycle Bin<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"Thumbnails<\/a><\/p>\n

    Thumbnails folder in Windows XP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Enable or disable in Windows XP<\/h3>\n

    To enable or disable the option to cache thumbnails on a Windows XP system, follow these steps:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Open My Computer<\/strong><\/li>\n
    2. Go to Tools > Folder Options<\/strong><\/li>\n
    3. Go to View<\/em><\/li>\n
    4. Check the Do not cache thumbnails<\/strong> option.
      \nIf Do not cache thumbnails is checked<\/strong>, Windows XP will not cache thumbnails.If Do not cache thumbnails is not checked<\/strong>, Windows XP will cache thumbnails.<\/li>\n
    5. Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \"Thumbnails<\/a><\/p>\n

      Thumbnails folder options in Windows XP<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      Windows Vista<\/h2>\n

      How to clear the thumbnails cache in Windows Vista<\/h3>\n

      To clear the thumbnails cache on a Windows Vista computer, follow these steps to open Disk Cleanup:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Click Start<\/strong><\/li>\n
      2. Click All Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools<\/li>\n
      3. Click Disk Cleanup<\/strong>Alternatively, you can click Start and type disk cleanup<\/code> in the search box, press Enter<\/kbd>.<\/li>\n
      4. Disk Cleanup should now load<\/li>\n
      5. If you have more that 1 disk drive, e.g. more than 1 C:\\<\/code>, select the drive you want to clean up, then click
        \nOK<\/strong><\/li>\n
      6. From the Files to delete<\/em> section, select the Thumbnails<\/strong> option and deselect all other options<\/li>\n
      7. Then click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n
      8. Click Delete Files<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        \"Disk<\/a><\/p>\n

        Disk Cleanup in Windows Vista<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        Enable or disable in Windows Vista<\/h3>\n

        To enable or disable the thumbnails cache option on a Windows Vista computer, follow these steps:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Open My Computer<\/li>\n
        2. Click Organize<\/strong><\/li>\n
        3. Click Folder and search options<\/strong><\/li>\n
        4. Go to the View<\/em> tab<\/li>\n
        5. Select or deselect the Always show icons, never thumbnails<\/strong> option<\/li>\n
        6. Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
          \"Thumbnails<\/a><\/p>\n

          Thumbnails folder options in Windows Vista<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

          Windows 7<\/h2>\n

          How to clear the thumbnails cache in Windows 7<\/h3>\n

          To clear the thumbnails cache on a Windows 7 computer, you need to run Disk Cleanup and select the Thumbnails option to clear the cache:<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Click Start<\/strong><\/li>\n
          2. Type disk cleanup<\/code> in the search box<\/li>\n
          3. Press Enter<\/kbd><\/li>\n
          4. Disk Cleanup should now load.If not, go to All Programs > Accessories > System Tools and find Disk Cleanup listed there.<\/li>\n
          5. Select the Thumbnails<\/strong> option. Make sure it’s checked and deselect the other options listed at the Files to delete<\/em> section.<\/li>\n
          6. Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n
          7. Click Delete files<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            You can also open Disk Cleanup to clear the thumbnails:<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Click Start<\/strong><\/li>\n
            2. Type disk cleanup<\/code><\/li>\n
            3. Press Enter<\/kbd><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \"Disk<\/a><\/p>\n

              Disk Cleanup in Windows 7<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

              Enable or disable in Windows 7<\/h3>\n

              Method 1<\/h4>\n

              To enable (or disable) the ability to cache thumbnails on Windows 7 computer, follow these steps:<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Log in as an Administrator<\/li>\n
              2. Press the <\/span><\/kbd> and R<\/kbd> keys<\/li>\n
              3. Type gpedit.msc<\/code> in the Run dialog<\/li>\n
              4. Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n
              5. The Local Group Policy Editor should open<\/li>\n
              6. Go to User Configuration<\/li>\n
              7. Then Administrative Templates<\/li>\n
              8. Then Windows Components<\/li>\n
              9. Then Windows Explorer<\/li>\n
              10. Double-click on Turn off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files<\/strong><\/li>\n
              11. Select Enabled<\/strong> to turn off the cache.If you want to leave the caching of thumbnails enabled, this option should be Disabled<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
              12. Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                \"Group<\/a><\/p>\n

                Group Policy screen in Windows 7<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

                Method 2<\/h4>\n
                  \n
                1. Open Folder options<\/strong><\/li>\n
                2. Go to the View<\/em> tab<\/li>\n
                3. Select or deselect the Always show icons, never thumbnails<\/strong> option<\/li>\n
                4. Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                  \"Thumbnails<\/a><\/p>\n

                  Thumbnails folder options in Windows 7<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

                  Windows 8\/8.1<\/h2>\n

                  How to clear the thumbnails cache in Windows 8 or 8.1<\/h3>\n

                  Method 1<\/h4>\n

                  To clear the thumbnails cache on a Windows 8 or 8.1 system, follow these instructions:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. Open Windows Explorer<\/li>\n
                  2. Go to the View<\/strong> tab<\/li>\n
                  3. Select Hidden items<\/strong>, then select Show selected items<\/strong><\/li>\n
                  4. Navigate to C:\\Users\\User\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Explorer<\/code>, where C:\\<\/code> is where you
                    \ninstalled Windows 8 or 8.1 and User<\/code> is the username of your account profile.If Windows 8 or 8.1 was installed on D:\\<\/code> and your username is Anna<\/code>, the path you need to navigate to is:<\/p>\n
                    D:\\Users\\Anna\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Explorer<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n
                  5. Select all files that begin with thumbcache<\/code><\/li>\n
                  6. Right-click these files and click Delete<\/strong><\/li>\n
                  7. Empty the Recycle Bin<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                    \"Thumbnails<\/a><\/p>\n
                    Thumbnails folder in Windows 8<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                    Method 2<\/h4>\n
                    You can also open Disk Cleanup to clear the thumbnails:<\/p>\n
                      \n
                    1. Click Start<\/strong><\/li>\n
                    2. Type disk cleanup<\/code><\/li>\n
                    3. Press Enter<\/kbd><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                      \"Disk<\/a><\/p>\n
                      Disk Cleanup in Windows 8<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                      Enable or disable in Windows 8 or 8.1<\/h3>\n
                      Method 1<\/h4>\n
                      To enable (or disable) the ability to cache thumbnails in Windows 8 \/ 8.1 systems, follow these
                      \nsteps:<\/p>\n
                        \n
                      1. Log in as an Administrator<\/li>\n
                      2. Press the <\/span><\/kbd> and R<\/kbd> keys<\/li>\n
                      3. Type gpedit.msc<\/code> in the Run dialog<\/li>\n
                      4. Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n
                      5. The Local Group Policy Editor<\/strong> should now open<\/li>\n
                      6. Go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File
                        \nExplorer<\/li>\n
                      7. Double-click on Turn off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files<\/strong><\/li>\n
                      8. Select Enabled<\/strong> to turn off the cache. If you want to leave the caching of thumbnails, this should be Disabled<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                      9. Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                        \"Group<\/p>\n
                        Group Policy screen in Windows 8<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                        Method 2<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                          \n
                        1. Open Folder options<\/strong><\/li>\n
                        2. Go to the View<\/em> tab<\/li>\n
                        3. Select or deselect the Always show icons, never thumbnails<\/strong> option<\/li>\n
                        4. Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                          \"Thumbnails<\/a><\/p>\n
                          Thumbnails folder options in Windows 8<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                          Method 3<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                            \n
                          1. Open the Registry<\/li>\n
                          2. Navigate to this key:\n
                            HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n
                          3. The value for DisableThumbnailCache<\/code> should be 1<\/code>, if you want to disable the thumbnails caching.Otherwise, leave it as 0<\/strong> to have it enabled.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                            \"Registry<\/a><\/p>\n
                            Registry Editor screen in Windows 8<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                            Windows 10<\/h2>\n
                            How to clear the thumbnails cache in Windows\u00a010<\/h3>\n
                            Method 1<\/h4>\n
                            To clear the thumbnails cache on a Windows 10\u00a0system, follow these instructions:<\/p>\n
                              \n
                            1. Open Windows Explorer<\/li>\n
                            2. Go to the View<\/strong> tab<\/li>\n
                            3. Select Hidden items<\/strong>, then select Show selected items<\/strong><\/li>\n
                            4. Navigate to C:\\Users\\User\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Explorer<\/code>, where C:\\<\/code> is where you
                              \ninstalled Windows 8 or 8.1 and User<\/code> is the username of your account profile.If Windows 8 or 8.1 was installed on D:\\<\/code> and your username is Anna<\/code>, the path you need to navigate to is:<\/p>\n
                              D:\\Users\\Anna\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Explorer<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n
                            5. Select all files that begin with thumbcache<\/code><\/li>\n
                            6. Right-click these files and click Delete<\/strong><\/li>\n
                            7. Empty the Recycle Bin<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                              \"Thumbnails<\/a><\/p>\n
                              Thumbnails folder in Windows 10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                              Method 2<\/h4>\n
                              You can also open Disk Cleanup to clear the thumbnails:<\/p>\n
                                \n
                              1. Click Start<\/strong><\/li>\n
                              2. Type disk cleanup<\/code><\/li>\n
                              3. Press Enter<\/kbd><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                \"Disk<\/a><\/p>\n
                                Disk Cleanup in Windows 10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                                Enable or disable in Windows 10<\/h3>\n
                                Method 1<\/h4>\n
                                To enable (or disable) the ability to cache thumbnails in Windows 8 \/ 8.1 systems, follow these
                                \nsteps:<\/p>\n
                                  \n
                                1. Log in as an Administrator<\/li>\n
                                2. Press the <\/span><\/kbd> and R<\/kbd> keys<\/li>\n
                                3. Type gpedit.msc<\/code> in the Run dialog<\/li>\n
                                4. Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                5. The Local Group Policy Editor<\/strong> should now open<\/li>\n
                                6. Go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File
                                  \nExplorer<\/li>\n
                                7. Double-click on Turn off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                8. Select Enabled<\/strong> to turn off the cache. If you want to leave the caching of thumbnails, this should be Disabled<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                                9. Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                  \"Group<\/a><\/p>\n
                                  Group Policy screen in Windows 10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                                  Method 2<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                                    \n
                                  1. Open Folder options<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                  2. Go to the View<\/em> tab<\/li>\n
                                  3. Select or deselect the Always show icons, never thumbnails<\/strong> option<\/li>\n
                                  4. Click OK<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                    \"Thumbnails<\/a><\/p>\n
                                    Thumbnails folder options in Windows 10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                                    Method 3<\/strong><\/h4>\n
                                      \n
                                    1. Open the Registry<\/li>\n
                                    2. Navigate to this key:\n
                                      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced<\/pre>\n<\/li>\n
                                    3. The value for DisableThumbnailCache<\/code> should be 1<\/code>, if you want to disable the thumbnails caching.Otherwise, leave it as 0<\/strong> to have it enabled.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                      \"Registry<\/a><\/p>\n
                                      Registry Editor screen in Windows 10<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
                                      More Information<\/h2>\n
                                      Support Links<\/h3>\n