How do I solve the 'Thumbs.db in use' when trying to delete folders?

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  1. Posts : 21
    Windows 10 Home Edition
       #1

    How do I solve the 'Thumbs.db in use' when trying to delete folders?


    Whenever I try and delete a folder, or multiple folders, I get an error message stating that the Thumb.db file is in use. It is very frustrating. Is there a relatively easy way to solve this problem?

    How do I solve the 'Thumbs.db in use' when trying to delete folders?-problem.png

    How do I solve the 'Thumbs.db in use' when trying to delete folders?-problem-1.png

    Many thanks
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #2

    Just tell it to skip. It is keeping the folder settings in that file. Deleting it sets the folder at a default setting.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 21
    Windows 10 Home Edition
    Thread Starter
       #3

    bro67 said:
    Just tell it to skip. It is keeping the folder settings in that file. Deleting it sets the folder at a default setting.
    Skipping it doesn't help. It gives me the second error message [see above].
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #4

    Check the "Do this for all current items" checkbox in the first error screen and it should complete OK. It may leave the thumbs.db files behind but you can use a tool like Unlocker to get rid of them.
    HTH,
    --Ed--
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 21
    Windows 10 Home Edition
    Thread Starter
       #5

    EdTittel said:
    Check the "Do this for all current items" checkbox in the first error screen and it should complete OK. It may leave the thumbs.db files behind but you can use a tool like Unlocker to get rid of them.
    HTH,
    --Ed--
    I have tried that too. It makes no difference. Thanks for the suggestion though.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,899
    Windows 10 Pro for the Bro
       #6

    Get and install LockHunter
    Right click on the file "What is locking this file?"
    Follow the steps from there
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #7

    Diwedd said:
    Skipping it doesn't help. It gives me the second error message [see above].
    If it is in the list of things to delete, you need to hold down the Ctrl key and then click on it to not delete. Or when it comes up about it, check the box that states "Do this for current items", then click on Skip.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #8

    pepanee said:
    Get and install LockHunter
    Right click on the file "What is locking this file?"
    Follow the steps from there
    Windows locks it, because it holds the folder settings and file settings in that file.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 323
    Windows 10 (2), Win 8.1 (1), Win 7 (1)
       #9

    It's very simple. Open a CMD prompt using "Run as administrator". Enter "del /a:s thumbs.db". If you have subfolders involved, you can do "del /s /a:s thumbs.db" to remove all of the thumbs.db in a folder structure. Then you can remove the folders themselves.

    JohnD
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 85
    Windows 10 Home
       #10

    Diwedd said:
    Whenever I try and delete a folder, or multiple folders, I get an error message stating that the Thumb.db file is in use. It is very frustrating. Is there a relatively easy way to solve this problem?

    How do I solve the 'Thumbs.db in use' when trying to delete folders?-problem.png

    How do I solve the 'Thumbs.db in use' when trying to delete folders?-problem-1.png

    Many thanks
    Sounds like Thumb.db is corrupted (which might be why you want to delete it)

    If you haven't already, try this
    Thumbnail Cache - Clear and Reset in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

    If that fails try it in Safe Mode
    Safe Mode - Start Windows 10 in - Windows 10 Forums

    Good luck :)
      My Computer


 

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