How to Clear and Reset the Thumbnail Cache in Windows 10
Windows keeps a copy of all your folder, picture, video, and document thumbnails in a cache so they can be reused to quickly display when you open a folder instead of having to manually scan and slowly load them each time.
The thumbnail cache can sometimes become corrupted causing thumbnails to display incorrectly or distorted. When this happens, the thumbnail cache needs to be deleted to reset it and automatically recreate as needed.
This tutorial will show you how to clear and reset the thumbnail cache for your account in Windows 10.
The thumbnail cache .db files for each user is located in the hidden folder below.
%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
(C:\Users\{user-name}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer)
Contents
- Option One: To Clear and Reset Thumbnail Cache in Disk Cleanup
- Option Two: To Clear and Reset Thumbnail Cache using a BAT file
1 Open Disk Cleanup.
2 Check the Thumbnails box, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Delete Files to confirm. (see screenshot below)
4 When finished, restart the computer to fully apply.
1 Close and save anything that you are working on before proceeding. The next steps will involve restarting explorer.
2 Do step 3 or step 4 below for which .bat file you would like to use.
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
B) Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run the .bat file.
C) If prompted, click/tap on Run to approve. If you like, you can unblock the .bat file to no longer get the Run (Open File - Security Warning) prompt.
D) You will now notice your screen flash as a command prompt opens and closes to kill explorer, delete your thumbnail cache, and restart explorer.
E) When finished, restart the computer to fully apply.
A) Click/tap on the download button below to download the file below.
B) Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run the .bat file.
C) If prompted, click/tap on Run to approve. If you like, you can unblock the .bat file to no longer get the Run (Open File - Security Warning) prompt.
D) Follow the instructions in the command prompt to rebuild your thumbnail cache. (see screenshot below)
E) When finished, restart the computer to fully apply.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Prevent Windows 10 from Deleting Thumbnail Cache
- How to Enable or Disable Thumbnail Previews in File Explorer in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Save Taskbar Thumbnail Previews to Cache in Windows
- How to Change Border of Thumbnail Previews in Windows 10
- How to Rebuild the Icon Cache in Windows 10
- How to Rebuild Font Cache in Windows 10
- How to Open and Use Disk Cleanup in Windows 10
- How to Reset Notification Area Icons in Windows 10
- How to Clear Your Live Tile Cache on Start in Windows 10
Clear and Reset Thumbnail Cache in Windows 10
-
New #1
Brink,
Is there a way to prevent the thumbnail database cache from being deleted during reboots for specific folders? My music is organized by album with artwork displayed on each folder. It is annoying to have to wait for it to rebuild after every restart, etc.
Thanks!
DB
Edit: Found this:
Prevent Windows 8 File Explorer From Deleting Image Thumbnail Cache
Thanks!Last edited by Doverboy; 19 Jan 2016 at 08:58.
-
New #2
Hello DB, :)
The only problem with that is Windows will also no longer be able to update the thumbnail cache after using the method you posted.
-
New #3
Ugh. That's not going to work, then. Any solution or should I just deal with the cache reloading every time? Thanks!
-
New #4
It depends on how often you add to the folder. If often, then you'll be better to not use the method you posted.
Personally, I wouldn't recommend the method for that very reason.
-
New #5
Thanks, Brink. Much appreciated...
I'm hoping you keep a side journal to track issues like this!
Be well!
-
New #6
Yeah, this issue has been around for a long time in previous Windows as well. It would be nice to have them work better.
It'll be a good issue to send feedback to Microsoft about.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7...dows-10-a.html
-
-
New #8
Hi, I tried the first .bat file but nothing changed, so I tried the second and now everything is an icon. Is there a way to change it back to thumbnails? I may have driven myself into a hole, I'm not great with computers and these icons are pissing me off.
-
-
New #9
Hello yoyopowerranger, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)
Both .bat files essential do the same thing, but one prompts and the other doesn't.
If you haven't already, restart the computer.
In addition, please post a screenshot showing the icons to see what may be wrong.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1...en-forums.html
Clear and Reset Thumbnail Cache in Windows 10
How to Clear and Reset the Thumbnail Cache in Windows 10Published by Shawn BrinkCategory: Customization
12 May 2021
QuoteTutorial Categories
Related Discussions
