Just delete it. It's a WINXP explorer thumbnail file.

What is the business about programs not working?, and where did it come from?

It's safe to delete the file but Windows will create another copy the next time you go to that folder, it's a database of icon thumbnails for that folder. Rob

If I delete the folder,Windows can't create another copy the next time...no folder exists. I appreicate your help I'm just trying to understand. "it's a database of icon thumbnails for that folder" If I don't have the folder, I don't need the icons..right. So why are they saying programs won't work?

yeah just hit the yes button, it always says that when it thinks you're deleting something Bill Gates thinks is important. It's not important. :) Rob

it's a standard message MS put in to make people panic ;) Rob

Yeah, like me. :0(

lol don't worry about it :) I paniced the other day cause I switched my pc on & the screen never lit up, then I remembered you have to press the button on the front to turn it on, I'll never get the hang of this new fangled technology. Rob

:o)

worst thing is tho I've been using these things for 21 yrs :) I've learnt Cobol, Pascal & Delphi but can I get my head round Python? Rob

That is not a Poser file.

Hi crisjon1950 I know, but it was in or was put in, a subfile of a poser freebie file I had downloaded. I don't know if XP put it there or it was in the file. I tried to delete the poser file and the above message appeared. I was afraid to delete the poser file because of the threat to make my computer or program inoperatable. Rob helped me out. Your right,"That is not a Poser file."

Hi Rob "I've learnt Cobol, Pascal & Delphi but can I get my head round Python?" Wow, lots of experience with computer languages, I'm sure Phython will be cracked soon. :o) Forget languages, I'm still trying to learn software. I have Photoshop, Bryce, Painter, poser and struggling with all of them. I guess Bryce is the one I have the most trouble with and made the least progress. I've done canvas and brush illustration, but Poser and the other programs were an eye opener. The possiables and results were fantastic, it just blew me away. I guess I'm a computer convert.

Actually, I don't think that's a Windows XP file. I believe its a file that is created by the program "ThumbsPlus". (If you are unaware of this program, here is the description from their website: ThumbsPlus is a highly customizable image database / graphics editor application that makes it easy to catalog and locate, as well as, maintain and modify all your graphics and multimedia files.) I have this program and it's very nice. In any event, as has been mentioned, it is safe to delete this file.

Curiousier, and curiousier...

I use ThumbsPlus, and find it's the best program of its type. It is invaluable in my toolkit.

Another possibility is that it's a Mac file! I see those all over the Macs at work without the extension. But, once you tranfer the files to PC, they get that extension! Note the 2 letter .db! It's indigenous of Macs! So, don't worry about it! And just Zap It with Raid! :-)) Ciaos! Marco

The thumbs.db files can easily be deleted from within the zip itself before extracting (Winzip classic mode).

And yes, they are from win XP. I removed them from my own zips all the time.

I don't recall seeing one.

Then try this..

Put some JPGs in a folder, then view that folder from within explorer (filmstrip or thumbnails view).

Then zip that folder up using winzip and open that zip within classic mode so you can see the list of files within the zip.

You'll see the .db files on the list. They are hidden from view normally in explorer.

-J.

JeffH.. I'm not sure if Ron can see the files if he has the "hide system files" turned on (Not sure what the option is called in english, I'm using a danish version of WinXP...) Anyway, the file is (as others stated) indeed a WindowsXP thing, WinXP creates it in film strip view and they are a nuicance if they slip into a zipfiles and the one who makes the zip forgets to delete them. I know even I might have forgotten some "thumbs.db" in a freebie or two. But again, the files does no harm, only they might cause panic when Mr Gates won't let you delete them. And they're perfectly safe to delete.

If you've tried everything else and nothing works: If you have XP you can make a snapshot of what is on your computer, delete the file in question and if it turns out it's a necessary file, recover the file you deleted. That is under Accessories/System Tools/ System Restore. NOTE: read about system restore in your help files and understand it before you do anything.

Thumbsplus does make those files as well, but then I don't have it installed & I still have those files popping up all over the place, it's just windows trying to be helpful by speeding up the thumbnail icons in explorer. Rob

System restore? From a no problem delete to a system restore, you're scaring me folks. "NOTE: read about system restore in your help files and understand it before you do anything." That is helpful, but not reassuring. :o(

Philywebrider, I think you misunderstood the point of my post, which was to reassure you that you don't need to worry about deleting the file because in XP there is a safe way to recover from any error you might create for yourself, if you back it up first - which is all you would do - back it up. If you are going to work in graphics (or do coding) you should be aware of how system restore works and how to use it because eventually you will need to know about it. This is as good a time as any to learn. JeffH said it was safe to delete the file in question, so . . . I've deleted several files the same as the one in question with no negative results. I won't vouch for what else may be going on on your computer, but simply deleting the thumbs.db file by itself won't harm your system. - TJ

Thamks TJ I get a little paranoid about computers sometimes. If the tower shakes, makes strange noises and billowing black smoke comes out of the vents, is that an indication of a problem? Just kidding, thanks for your help everyone. :o)

I almost never use Windows Explorer because MS just hasn't gotten a clue about how to handle a File Manager yet. I checked awhile ago, and MS still doesn't have a Copy or Move command. Or at least they don't work as they should. I use Powerdesk Utilities for my file manager and zip utility. I use ThumbsPlus to manage and view my thumbnails. I have an extensive collection of graphics files, with screenshots, and artwork. I don't see thumbs.db in any of the folders. And yes, I do have Windows setup to show hidden files and folders, in addition to showing file extensions of known file types. Heck, I wrote a "mini tutorial" in the Poser forum about that very subject.