Detailed Description for the .db File Extension

Detailed description for the .db file extension

The .db file type is used by Windows to store thumbnails of image files. A file with the .db file extension is referred to as a Windows Thumbnail cache file.

By default, the name of the file in which Windows stores thumbnails of graphic files is Thumbs.db. A Thumbs.db file is created for each folder that is set to display thumbnails of images present in it and is stored in the folder itself.

Operating systems that use Thumbs.db

Windows XP and later versions

How to set a folder to display thumbnails

If a folder contains images and you want to see the thumbnails of pictures present in it every time you open the folder then perform the following steps:

  • Open the folder that contains images.
  • Right-click an empty area on the folder, select View, and then select Thumbnails.

Now, every time you open the folder, thumbnails of the images stored in the folder will be displayed.

I?ve set a folder to display thumbnails but can?t see the corresponding Thumbs.db file

Normally, a Thumbs.db file is marked as a hidden file. To view the file you need to select the Show hidden files and folders folder option and unselect the Hide protected operating system files folder option. To achieve this, perform the following steps:

  • Open the folder that contains images.
  • Click the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click View.
  • Select Show hidden files and folders.
  • Unselect Hide protected operating system files.
  • Click Apply.
  • Click OK.

I?m unable to open the Thumbs.db file

The Thumbs.db file is not meant to be viewed by the user. In other words, you cannot open a Thumbs.db file. Thumbs.db files are referenced by the Windows operating system.

Is it safe to delete a folder?s Thumbs.db File?

Yes, you can delete a Thumbs.db file to free up hard disk space. But the problem is if the folder is set to display thumbnails the file is recreated by Windows when you open the folder the next time. If you do not want Windows to create the Thumbs.db file then perform the following steps:

  • Click Start, click Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  • Click Tools, click Folder Options, and then click View.
  • Select Do not cache thumbnails.
  • Click Apply.
  • Click OK.

Names of other applications that are recorded to be associated with the .db file extension

  • Solid Database
  • SQL Anywhere (Database)
  • Oracle Database
  • Palm Zire (Photo Database)
  • Progress (Database File)
  • SmartWare Office Pac File
  • Paradox (Ver 7 Table Database)
  • Novell GroupWise Addressbook Database
  • MSWorks
  • iRiver Plus3 (Music-Database File)
  • DiGiBooster
  • Mozilla
  • ArcView (Object Database File)
  • ANSYS

If this file type gets corrupted or starts generating errors then you can fix it with the help of FileCure. FileCure is an advanced file opener program that allows Windows users to quickly access various file types.