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How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows

This wikiHow article will teach you how to clear the thumbnail cache in Windows. A thumbnail is a preview of a file when viewed in File Explorer.http://www.quicksolve.com.au/social-media/facebook-stories/icons-vs-thumbnails On older...
Method 1 of 3:

Using Disk Cleanup (All Windows Versions)

  1. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 1How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 1
    Open Disk Cleanup. Click the Start
    How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 2How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 2
    button, type disk cleanup, and then select the matching result. The Disk Cleanup application will open.
  2. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 3How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 3
    Select the current hard drive that Windows is installed on, if prompted.
  3. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 4How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 4
    Wait for Disk Cleanup to analyze your computer. Your computer will be assessed for what type of files can be removed and the amounts of each file type on your computer.
  4. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 5How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 5
    Opt to remove the thumbnail cache. Check the "Thumbnails" checkbox in the list.
  5. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 6How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 6
    Initiate Disk Cleanup. Click the OK button at the bottom.
  6. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 7How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 7
    Confirm the warning. Click Delete Files in the warning message. Doing so will initiate the file cleanup process.
Method 2 of 3:

Manually Clearing in Windows 10 and 8

  1. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 8How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 8
    Open File Explorer. Click the File Explorer
    How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 9How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 9
    taskbar icon. It looks like a file folder.
  2. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 10How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 10
    Go to the View tab at the top of the ribbon.
  3. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 11How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 11
    Show hidden files and folders. Check the box next to "Hidden items". It'll be in the "Show/hide" portion of the ribbon.
    1. You may also want to enable item checkboxes for easier file selection.
  4. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 12How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 12
    Go to %homepath%AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsExplorer using the address bar. Click the address bar, copy and paste the code, and then hit the ↵ Enter keyboard key.
  5. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 13How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 13
    Select all files with names that begin with "thumbcache". Check the boxes next to any file that begins with the word "thumbcache". If you don't have checkboxes enabled, press and hold the Ctrl key while clicking on multiple file listings.
  6. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 14How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 14
    Delete the files. Right-click anywhere over a highlighted file and click Delete.
    1. Alternatively, click the Home tab in the ribbon and then choose the "Delete" option.
  7. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 15How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 15
    Confirm the warning message, if prompted. Click the Yes button.
  8. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 16How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 16
    Empty the Recycle Bin. If you've set your deleted files to go to the Recycle Bin before being permanently deleted, you'll need to empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete the thumbnail cache.
Method 3 of 3:

Manually Clearing in Windows XP

  1. Show all hidden files and folders.
    1. Open Windows Explorer. Click the start button at the bottom-left and then click "My Computer".
      How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 17How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 17
    2. Click the "Tools" menu at the top of the window.
      How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 18How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 18
    3. Go to the View tab.
      How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 19How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 19
    4. Enable viewing of hidden items. Click the radio button next to "Show hidden files and folders".
      How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 20How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 20
    5. Show protected operating system files. Uncheck the box next to "Hide protected operating system files".
      How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 21How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 21
    6. Confirm the warning prompt. Click the Yes button.
      How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 22How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 22
    7. Save your changes. Click the OK button to close the Folder Options box and save your new file viewing settings.
      How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 23How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 23
  2. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 24How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 24
    Launch the search feature. Click the start button at the bottom-left and click "Search". It has a magnifying glass icon to the left of it.
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    Click the "All files and folders" option. This is under the "Search Companion" section in the left pane.
  4. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 26How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 26
    Search for Thumbs.db. Type Thumbs.db and click the Search button to begin the file search.
  5. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 27How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 27
    Select all items. Click the "Edit" menu at the top and then click "Select All".
  6. How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 28How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows Picture 28
    Delete all of the selected files. Click on the "File" menu at the top-left and click "Delete".
    1. The files will be sent to the Recycle Bin based on your deletion settings. Make sure to check it and empty it if the files have been moved there.
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