Is It Safe to Delete Thumbs.db?

What is Thumbs.db?

Thumbs.db is a hidden file that Windows automatically generates inside any folder that contains images, videos, or documents.

You usually only notice these files when you are trying to delete a folder, and Windows throws an annoying error message saying: “The action can’t be completed because the file is open in Windows Explorer: Thumbs.db”.

Why Does It Exist?

When you open a folder full of photos, Windows has to read every single image file to generate the tiny preview thumbnails. If you have hundreds of photos, this process can be very slow.

To speed this up, Windows generates the thumbnails once and saves them all into the Thumbs.db database file. The next time you open the folder, Windows just reads the Thumbs.db file and instantly displays the thumbnails.

Can You Delete It?

Yes, it is entirely safe to delete.

Deleting Thumbs.db will not delete your actual photos or videos. It is merely a cache of the thumbnails.

How to Delete It

If you are trying to delete a folder but a Thumbs.db “File In Use” error is blocking you, follow these steps:

1. Click Cancel on the error message.
2. Ensure the folder is not currently open in any other File Explorer windows.
3. Change the folder view from “Large Icons” to “Details” or “List” view. This stops Windows from actively looking at the thumbnails.
4. Try deleting the folder again.

To permanently stop Windows from creating these files (useful for network drives):

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer.
3. Double-click “Turn off the caching of thumbnails in hidden thumbs.db files” and set it to Enabled.

What Happens If You Delete It?

You will reclaim a tiny amount of storage space. The next time you open that folder and view it in “Large Icons” mode, it will take a few extra seconds for the thumbnails to generate, and Windows will silently create a brand new Thumbs.db file to cache them again.

Bottom Line

Thumbs.db is a harmless thumbnail cache designed to make your PC feel faster. It is perfectly safe to delete, especially if it is preventing you from deleting an old folder or uploading a directory to the cloud.