Thumbs.db?

The thumbs.db file is generated by Windows. It is a database file containing
the small images displayed when you view a folder in Thumbnail View (as
opposed to Tile, Icon, List or Detail View).

A thumbs.db file contains the thumbnails for that particular folder where
the thumbs.db is located.

Windows XP uses a compressed database file (Thumbs.db) to increase
performance. Supposedly.

To get rid of Thumbs.db files, open Folder Options...

Open Folder Options...
Start | Run | Type: control folders | Click OK |
View tab | Check: Do not cache thumbnails |
Click Apply | Click OK

Do not cache thumbnails...
[[Disables automatic storage of folder thumbnails in a cache file. When you
store thumbnail images in a cache file, Windows can reuse them instead of
creating new ones every time you open a folder. If you disable this
automatic storage function, folders that contain thumbnails might take
longer to open.]]

If you do not change the Do not cache thumbnails setting, deleting any
thumbs.db will be a waste of time because they will just be recreated again
in folders that are set in Thumbnail View.

If you use Thumbnail views a lot, you may want to UNCheck Do not cache
thumbnails.

To recreate the Thumbs.db file, click the folder whose contents you are
trying to view in Windows Explorer and then click Thumbnails on
the View menu.

Note: To see the Thumbs.db file, you must be able to view hidden files. To
view hidden files, click Folder Options on the View menu in Windows
Explorer, click the View tab, click Show All Files and then click OK.

Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) needs to be UNChecked
also.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In news:332C5AAF-AA95-4088-9F2F-697640031152@microsoft.com,
Mike Hoban <MikeHoban@discussions.microsoft.com> hunted and pecked:
> Hello, Thanks for the further advice. All is now resolved, in each folder
> was a hidden .db folder referencing the database software (Fotostation
> Pro) thumbnail versions of my images. I think they are generated to
> simply speed up the viewing process. Nothing sinister.
>
> Again, thank you for all your help, the problems are resolved and I will
> leave you in peace.
>
> Mike
>
> --
> Mike H
>
>
> "Wesley Vogel" wrote:
>
>> What actually scanned the folder?
>>
>> HOW TO: Search For Hidden Or System Files In Windows XP
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302347
>>
>> To display Hidden files and folders...
>>
>> Start | Settings | Control Panel | Folder Options | View tab
>> Check:
>> Display the contents of system folders
>> and
>> Show hidden files and folders
>> UNCheck:
>> Hide extensions for known file types
>> and
>> Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)
>> Click Apply | Click OK
>>
>> When you uncheck: Hide protected operating system files,
>> you will get this message...
>>
>> Warning
>> ----------
>> You have chosen to display protected operating system files (files
>> labeled System and Hidden) in Windows Explorer.These files are required
>> to start and run Windows. Deleting or editing them can make your
>> computer inoperable.Are you sure you want to display these files?
>> ----------
>>
>> Click YES.
>>
>> [[Hidden files and folders will appear dimmed to indicate they are not
>> typical items.]]
>>
>>
>> --
>> Hope this helps. Let us know.
>>
>> Wes
>> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
>>
>> In news:E972A7C5-A7C9-49CA-9985-9B3CC6132C66@microsoft.com,
>> Mike Hoban <MikeHoban@discussions.microsoft.com> hunted and pecked:
>>> Fun indeed. Thanks. Your suggestion re copying to CD and back to the HD
>>> worked, and the folder I tested now has no ADS data (visibly) attached
>>> to the file name. It also took a fraction of the time to scan the
>>> folder. However on doing so, it claimed to have scanned 450 files, when
>>> in fact there are only 150 files in the folder, is this something else
>>> I should be worried about?. I am currently looking many thousands of
>>> afected files.
>>>
>>> Many Thanks again.
>>> --
>>> Mike H
>>>
>>>
>>> "Wesley Vogel" wrote:
>>>
>>>> Keep having fun, Mike. :-)
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Hope this helps. Let us know.
>>>>
>>>> Wes
>>>> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
>>>>
>>>> In news:31D37451-0D8C-4A53-8A60-73AF2555D657@microsoft.com,
>>>> Mike Hoban <MikeHoban@discussions.microsoft.com> hunted and pecked:
>>>>> Extraordinarily helpfull and usefull response, thank you very much. I
>>>>> will read everything and take it all on board.
>>>>> Best Wishes
>>>>> Mike
>>>>> --
>>>>> Mike H
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Wesley Vogel" wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Mike,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thank You. Very Helpfull, I will try that. All of my external HDs
>>>>>>> are NTFS formatted, and all retain the ADS when files are copied
>>>>>>> between them.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> To get rid of Alternate Data Streams on any file, move to a non NTFS
>>>>>> media, like a floppy, a CD or a memory stick and then move the file
>>>>>> back to the hard drive.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If I
>>>>>>> were to create new external HD's formatted to FAT32, then copy the
>>>>>>> files from the NTFS drives, would that remove the ADS?.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Seems awful drastic.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Keep in mind that adding Comments to any file adds ADS.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> <quote>
>>>>>> To add a comment to a file
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 1. Right click a file.
>>>>>> 2. Click Properties.
>>>>>> 3. On the Summary tab, type your comment in the Comments area.
>>>>>> -or-
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On the Summary tab, click Simple, and then type your comment in
>>>>>> the Comments area.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Notes
>>>>>> To display the comments you add to files, double-click the folder
>>>>>> that contains the files you want to view. On the View menu, click
>>>>>> Choose Details, and select the Comment check box, and then click OK.
>>>>>> On the View menu, click Details to see comments for several files at
>>>>>> once, or select a file and click Details in the left pane to view
>>>>>> the comment for the selected file. <quote>
>>>>>> from...
>>>>>> Add a comment to a file
>>>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...d_comment.mspx
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Not all Alternate Data Strems are evil. Although with SP2 Microsoft
>>>>>> adds zone info as ADS with the Attachment Manager.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You can use the HijackThis ADS Spy to remove ADS.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Both of these are copied and pasted from HijackThis.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> HijackThis ADS Spy
>>>>>> ---------------------------
>>>>>> Alternate Data Streams (ADSs) are pieces of info hidden as metadata
>>>>>> on files. They are not visible in Explorer and the size they take up
>>>>>> is not reported by Windows. Recent browser hijackers started hiding
>>>>>> their files inside ADSs, and very few anti-malware scanners detect
>>>>>> this (yet).Use ADS Spy to find and remove these streams.Note: this
>>>>>> app also displays legitimate ADS streams. Do not delete streams if
>>>>>> you are not completely sure they are malicious!
>>>>>> ---------------------------
>>>>>> OK
>>>>>> ---------------------------
>>>>>> HijackThis
>>>>>> ---------------------------
>>>>>> Using ADS Spy is very easy: just click 'Scan', wait until the scan
>>>>>> completes, then select the ADS streams you want to remove and click
>>>>>> 'Remove selected'. If you are unsure which streams to remove, ask
>>>>>> someone for help. Don't delete streams if you don't know what they
>>>>>> are!The three checkboxes are:Quick Scan: only scans the Windows
>>>>>> folder. So far all known malware that uses ADS to hide itself, hides
>>>>>> in the Windows folder. Unchecking this will make ADS Spy scan the
>>>>>> entire system (i.e. all drives).Ignore safe system info streams:
>>>>>> Windows, Internet Explorer and a few antivirus programs use ADS to
>>>>>> store metadata for certain folders and files. These streams can
>>>>>> safely be ignored, they are harmless.Calculate MD5 checksums of
>>>>>> streams: For antispyware program development or antivirus analysis
>>>>>> only.Note: the default settings of above three checkboxes should be
>>>>>> fine for most people. There's no need to change any of them unless
>>>>>> you are a developer or anti-malware expert.
>>>>>> ---------------------------
>>>>>> OK
>>>>>> ---------------------------
>>>>>>
>>>>>> HijackThis (More for the advanced user)
>>>>>> http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
>>>>>>
>>>>>> HijackThis log tutorial
>>>>>> http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/htlogtutorial.html
>>>>>>
>>>>>> HijackThis Log Tutorial
>>>>>> http://www.aumha.org/a/hjttutor.htm
>>>>>>
>>>>>> See 9. How to use ADS Spy
>>>>>> How to use HijackThis to remove Browser Hijackers & Spyware
>>>>>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...utorial42.html
>>>>>> --------
>>>>>>
>>>>>> NTFS Alternate (Multiple) Data Streams articles
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The first four are short and to the point.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> NTFS Data Streams - Windows Alternate Data Stream, NP.EXE
>>>>>> http://www.auditmypc.com/freescan/re...tfsstreams.asp
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Windows Alternate Data Streams
>>>>>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/tutorial25.html
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Windows NTFS Alternate Data Streams
>>>>>> http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1822
>>>>>>
>>>>>> NTFS Streams
>>>>>> http://www.alcpress.com/articles/ads.html
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Alternate Data Streams Threat or Menace Why Alternate Data Streams
>>>>>> http://www.informit.com/articles/art...?p=413685&rl=1
>>>>>>
>>>>>> FAQ Alternate Data Streams in NTFS
>>>>>> http://www.heysoft.de/nt/ntfs-ads.htm
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Fork (filesystem)
>>>>>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternate_data_stream
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hidden NTFS Alternate Data Streams (ADS) Explained - Are You At Risk?
>>>>>> http://www.diamondcs.com.au/web/streams/streams.htm
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hidden Threat Alternate Data Streams
>>>>>> http://www.windowsecurity.com/articl...a_Streams.html
>>>>>>
>>>>>> NTFS Alternate Data Streams » Girl Geekette dotNet
>>>>>> http://www.girlgeekette.net/2005/09/...-data-streams/
>>>>>>
>>>>>> NTFS Data Streams
>>>>>> http://www.relsoft.net/datastreams.html
>>>>>>
>>>>>> NTFS Streams - Everything you need to know (demos and tests included)
>>>>>> http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.ph...d=ntfs-streams
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Practical Guide to Alternative Data Streams in NTFS
>>>>>> http://www.irongeek.com/i.php?page=security/altds
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Is there any advantage to the NTFS format over FAT32?, . Finally,
>>>>>>> can I reformat the existing NTFS drives to FAT32 (obviously losing
>>>>>>> the data in the process?.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You cannot reformat an NTFS drive to FAT32 without some 3rd party
>>>>>> utility.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> You can do whatever you like, but NTFS is the way to go, not FAT32.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What Is NTFS?
>>>>>> http://technet2.microsoft.com/Window...ae4781033.mspx
>>>>>>
>>>>>> FAT & NTFS File Systems in Windows XP
>>>>>> http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/ntfs.htm
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Limitations of the FAT32 File System in Windows XP
>>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314463
>>>>>>
>>>>>> NTFS vs. FAT: Which Is Right for You?
>>>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e.../october01.asp
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Overview of FAT, HPFS, and NTFS File Systems
>>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/100108
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Hope this helps. Let us know.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Wes
>>>>>> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In news:F869C836-D6CC-4D0B-83D6-15589BB5F4DF@microsoft.com,
>>>>>> Mike Hoban <MikeHoban@discussions.microsoft.com> hunted and pecked:
>>>>>>> Thank You. Very Helpfull, I will try that. All of my external HDs
>>>>>>> are NTFS formatted, and all retain the ADS when files are copied
>>>>>>> between them. If I were to create new external HD's formatted to
>>>>>>> FAT32, then copy the files from the NTFS drives, would that remove
>>>>>>> the ADS?.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Is there any advantage to the NTFS format over FAT32?, . Finally,
>>>>>>> can I reformat the existing NTFS drives to FAT32 (obviously losing
>>>>>>> the data in the process?.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Many Many Thanks
>>>>>>> Mike
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> Mike H
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Wesley Vogel" wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ADS probably does not slow down your system.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> To get rid of Alternate Data Streams on any file, move to a non
>>>>>>>> NTFS media, like a floppy, a CD or a memory stick and then move
>>>>>>>> the file back to the hard drive. ADS can only exist on NTFS
>>>>>>>> formatted drives, moving or copying files strips the files of the
>>>>>>>> ADS crap.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> You get Confirm Stream Loss messages when copying files with ADS to
>>>>>>>> non-NTFS formatted media...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Confirm Stream Loss
>>>>>>>> -----------------------
>>>>>>>> The file 'xxxxxxxxxxxxx.zzz' has extra information
>>>>>>>> attached to it that might be lost if you continue copying. The
>>>>>>>> contents of the file will not be affected. Information that might
>>>>>>>> be lost includes:
>>>>>>>> Summary Info
>>>>>>>> Document Summary Info
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Do you want to proceed anyway?
>>>>>>>> -----------------------
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Click YES because there is nothing you can do about it.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> Hope this helps. Let us know.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Wes
>>>>>>>> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> In news:790E5795-6EFE-40EE-93C2-150D3DD87F10@microsoft.com,
>>>>>>>> Mike Hoban <MikeHoban@discussions.microsoft.com> hunted and pecked:
>>>>>>>>> Hello, I am looking for advice on how to locate and remove
>>>>>>>>> Alternate data Streams from jpeg files. They during in my virus
>>>>>>>>> scan, but no