Windows Explorer Thumbnail Cache Database (thumbcache_*.db)

Bottom Line: It is 100% safe to delete thumbcache_*.db files. Running Windows Disk Cleanup or deleting thumbcache databases will NOT delete your original photos, videos, or documents.

What are thumbcache_*.db Files?

Located at %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer, these database files (e.g. thumbcache_256.db, thumbcache_1024.db, thumbcache_idx.db) are created by Windows File Explorer.

When you open folders containing photos, videos, or PDFs, Windows renders small image thumbnail tiles and caches them into thumbcache databases so scrolling through File Explorer is instant. Over years of photography or video editing, these thumbnail databases expand to 2 GB to 12 GB+.

If thumbnail preview images display incorrect icons, black boxes, or corrupt images, deleting thumbcache_*.db forces Windows to rebuild a fresh database.

Can You Delete thumbcache Files?

✅ Yes, it is completely safe to delete.

• Zero photo/video loss: Your actual media files remain 100% safe in your folders.
• Fixes Explorer rendering bugs: Deleting thumbcache database files is Microsoft’s official fix for broken folder thumbnail previews.

How to Safely Clean Up Thumbcache Database

Method 1: Delete via Windows Disk Cleanup (Recommended)

1. Press Win + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter.
2. Select your C: drive.
3. Check Thumbnails in the list.
4. Click OK to purge all cached thumbnail databases safely.

Method 2: Delete via Command Prompt (Admin)

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Stop File Explorer and delete the database files:

   taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
   del /f /s /q /a %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\thumbcache_*.db
   start explorer.exe

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