They are automatically generated by windows xp...you may be deleting the ones you download but your pc is generating new ones that hold info anyplace you have images on your pc.   MAC generates one called .DS_Store and I use windows...so I periodically delete the mac ones that i download too.

To turn this feature off, do the following:

1. Open My Computer
2. Click on Tools
3. Click on Folder Options
4. Click on the View Tab
5. Place a check in the option "Do not cache thumbnails"
6. Click Ok
7. Close My Computer

Now follow the next steps to remove the thumbs.db files from your hard drive

1. Click on Start
2. Click on Search
3. Click on All Files and Folders
4. Type the following in the section called "all or part of the file name"
   thumbs.db
5. In the Look in box, make sure Local Hard Drives is chosen
6. Click Search
7. A long list of thumbs.db files should appear, click on Edit, Select All
8. Click on File, and choose Delete
9. Close the Search Results window

Although this tip isn't for everyone, if you are low on disk space and dont use the Thumbnail view to show your files, this may save you some valuable disk space.

A google search will show you how to handle both of them   .ds_store and thumbs.db.

 

 

“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.”

[Stuart Chase]