ctrl.altered.mind

If you have ever exchanged zipped up folders containing images or accessed directories over a shared connection, chances are you have come across numerous Thumbs.db files scattered all over. A Thumbs.db file is a system file generated and maintained by Windows, and is generally hidden from view on local directories. The file is used as a cache for image thumbnails, making it faster to preview image files in folders before opening them. They can however, quickly start polluting directories across networks and are of no real value, especially less so for users of other operating systems (Mac OS X has its own variant, in the form of the .DS_Store file).

It is fairly easy to prevent Windows from generating the Thumbs.db file - choose Folder Options from the Control Panel (or access this via the Tools menu in any open folder window). In the View tab, check the box next to ‘Do not cache thumbnails’. This should get rid of the pesky files from popping up everywhere. The only downside to this option is that folders with large amounts of image files will take slightly longer to load if the folder is set to Thumbnail view. This can be resolved by viewing folders in the more useful List or Detailed views (a matter of preference, after all).

On OS X, creation of hidden .DS_Store files can be curbed by a command line operation (via the Terminal):

com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores true

You can clean up remnant Thumbs.db and .DS_Store files from network shares by performing a simple search - deleting these from network shares have no adverse effects on the system or your computing experience.

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 9th, 2008 at 7:01 pm and is filed under OSX, Windows.