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thumbs.db on network drives to prevent

  • Oct 30, 2025
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On network drives Windows 7 and 8 for each image to generate the preview file "thumbs.db". This costs bandwidth in the network. Via a Registry entry this can be prevented.

thumbs.db bind via Registry below

  • In order to access the Registry, type "regedit" into the search field of the start menu or open in the Desktop view of Windows 8 with [Windows]+[R] before the "Run"Dialog.
  • In the Registry Editor navigate to the key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer".
  • Generate the new entry "disable thumbsdb onnetwork folders" via the command "edit | New | DWORD value" and open the entry by double-clicking to edit. Change the "value" to "1" and confirm with "OK".
  • You add to this additional value in the key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\ Windows\Explorer". Before that you need to create possibly the last subkey "Explorer" with the command "edit | New | key". Close the Registry and reboot.
Note: The preview databases of the local folders remain in this procedure are used. Already existing files "thumbs.db" on the network drives will not be deleted. You must, if desired, manually.

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