I did an explorer search and found over 500 thumbs.db files from content ive downloaded. Not a huge problem but it does lock up explorer when opening zips, viewing jpeg. deleting files with other thumbs.db files in them. I could not seem to delete the files either ( source could not be read from disk error) ...how do I get rid of these so my windows explorer will stop crashing?

 It's DEFINITELY a good idea to delete these files.  They can prevent folders from being seen by Poser 8, as well.  Great reminder, wespose!

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.

 Yes and no, Annie.  Windows won't generate a new one until you view that folder as thumbnails.  ;)

Very true Jen...I always use thumbnail view and sometimes I forget that not everyone does that...  thanks for the reminder.  ;)

 No problem :)  I just wanted to clarify, because not everyone knows how and why they're created.  Heck, most people don't even know that they're even created or a problem! :)

Certainly not the best idea anyone could come up with...lol  and they sure can and do...cause some trouble for some.

Thank you Annie D I will save your instructions and go perform some minor e_surgery on my file system. I did switch my file view over to list and that helped a bilt but I have so many of these damn thumb dtat base files that they conflict with each other some times and I even have to restart my pc to just view folders , what a pain.
Thanks again

As these files are classified as "hidden system" on Windows, most people won't see them (I'm pretty sure MacOS hides the equivalent files).

However when packing up items in a ZIP file (or other archive) they should be deleted before distribution (and I'd hope the RMP requires their removal from product files before acceptance).

Yeah , Im now in the habbit of opening archives in 7z then just selecting the content I want and copying out. Same with zips ,I end up always copying out then manually installing files. life would be easier without thumbs. to just extract to location (aaaah the good old days).