Viewing thumbnails as images but without .thumbs file

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 394
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64
       #1

    Viewing thumbnails as images but without .thumbs file


    I know that if in Folder Options I choose "Always show icons, never thumbnails' the '.thumbs' file stops being created everytime you view an image file in Explorer. But I do want to see thumbnails, or more specifically I like the idea of viewing the image of the *.jpg, *.dng etc. when in Explorer. However, what I don't like is getting a '.thumbs' file being created.
    I'm sure it is possible to have one without the other but can't recall how to do so.
    Thank you
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,519
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, Mac OS X 10.10, Linux Mint 17, Windows 10 Pro TP
       #2

    In Windows Explorer [Win7 and earlier] go to Organize, Folder and Search Options, View tab and the first item Files and Folders and uncheck the first thing about Always show icons, never thumbnails. At least that is what works with my Win7 Ult. But then I use the Extra Large Icons view for pictures and don't get the .thumbs part.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 394
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Desktop is actually the thumbs problem


    OK new discovery: As you wrote, "Folder and Search Options, View tab ...Files and Folders and uncheck the first thing about Always show icons, never thumbnails."
    Well that is exactly how I have it and also how I had it and there is no ".thumbs" file within Explorer and herein lies my new discovery.
    What bothered me (and still does) is that recently I've been placing all photos I download on my desktop, and since I can see the thumbnails therefore the images I could easily delete them, and most of them do get deleted. And here's the thing If I download into a folder nothings happens all is GOOD. However if it's downloaded to the desktop then and only then is the .thumbs file created. Aaaah! why would it do this? SO the question now is: How do I keep things as they are within a folder (within Explorer) but not have the .thumbs file be created on the desktop.
    If we check the "Show icons and never thumbnails' option within Folder Options the problem is taken care of on the desktop but then nothing is visible within Explorer.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,839
    Windows 7 pro
       #4

    That is how Microsoft handles caching of thumbnails and is automatic. As far as I know there isn't anything that can be done about it however the files are normally hidden. Is that not the case?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,519
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, Mac OS X 10.10, Linux Mint 17, Windows 10 Pro TP
       #5

    I just tried to duplicate the issue by creating a New Folder on the Desktop then Copying files from another location into it, could not get the .thumbs files in any of the 8 types of view. Win7 Ultimate 64-bit
    Windows thumbnail cache - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 394
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    townsbg said: "That is how Microsoft handles caching of thumbnails and is automatic. As far as I know there isn't anything that can be done about it however the files are normally hidden. Is that not the case?"
    While Berton added: "I just tried to duplicate the issue by creating a New Folder on the Desktop then Copying files from another location into it, could not get the .thumbs files in any of the 8 types of view. Win7 Ultimate 64-bit"

    I think in both cases the reason is this, in order not to see anything you have, in your folder options, "Don't show hidden folder or files" or you have checked "Hide extensions for known file types."
    Since I want to see everything my .thumbs file will show.
    Nevertheless, I am convinced there was a way around this since I have always had my folder settings set as such and still not have the '.thumbs' icon visible. It may have been a registry hack or something, can't really remember. I think a recent windows series of updates may have changed this for me.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,839
    Windows 7 pro
       #7

    You want to see system files? Why?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 394
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    townsbg said:
    You want to see system files? Why?
    Why, you ask? paranoia I like to see what is there. I am likely to notice some if these files, or their change, if they are visible AND at times these files need to be visible in order to access them, to change them, to delete them, to replace them etc.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,519
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, Mac OS X 10.10, Linux Mint 17, Windows 10 Pro TP
       #9

    at times these files need to be visible in order to access them, to change them, to delete them, to replace them etc.
    Access them? Maybe access the Folder they are in to look at the files.
    Change them? Only if desiring to kill Windows.
    Delete them? Only if desiring to prevent Windows from booting or running.
    Replace them? Only if it's known for certain something is wrong with them.

    They are hidden System files for a reason, one part of which is to make it more difficult for outsiders/hackers/'infectors' to mess with them.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 394
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    [/QUOTE]Access them? Maybe access the Folder they are in to look at the files.
    Change them? Only if desiring to kill Windows.
    Delete them? Only if desiring to prevent Windows from booting or running.
    Replace them? Only if it's known for certain something is wrong with them.
    They are hidden System files for a reason, one part of which is to make it more difficult for outsiders/hackers/'infectors' to mess with them.[/QUOTE]
    "Access them? Maybe access the Folder they are in to look at the files." YES and to see if anything looks suspicious or is missing or is there which shouldn't be there. A crucial thing I would think
    "Change them? Only if desiring to kill Windows." not necessarily needs to be applied with caution and utmost certainty.
    " Delete them? Only if desiring to prevent Windows from booting or running." Not at all, because files such as '.thumbs' can easily be deleted with no repercussions whatsoever.
    "Replace them? Only if it's known for certain something is wrong with them." YUP
    "They are hidden System files for a reason, one part of which is to make it more difficult for outsiders/hackers/'infectors' to mess with them."
    Hackers know they are there and can access some of them (and they do) regardless of if or not you choose to see them. It is after all system files which are more often than not hacked, via viruses, trojans, malaware and stuff, are they not?
    I think, more than anything, they are hidden by default, to prevent people like me from screwing up their own computers (or their sister's)
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:01.
Find Us