{"id":5865,"date":"2017-11-03T18:31:05","date_gmt":"2017-11-03T13:01:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/198.58.113.91\/blog\/?p=5865"},"modified":"2026-02-28T23:45:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T18:15:30","slug":"thumbnail-cache-automatically-deleted-windows-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/thumbnail-cache-automatically-deleted-windows-maintenance\/","title":{"rendered":"[Fix] Thumbnail Cache Auto Deletion Problem in Windows 10"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When you browse a folder containing media files, Windows generates thumbnail images of your image and video files if the folder view is set to thumbnail view (medium, large or extra large icons.)\u00a0The generated thumbnail is cached and written to database so that the system need not regenerate the miniature thumbnail images every time you open the folder.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>The thumbnail cache (as well as the icon cache) are stored in the following folder:<\/p>\n<pre>%userprofile%\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Windows\\Explorer<\/pre>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5866\" src=\"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/thumbnail-cache-location.png\" alt=\"thumbnail cache folder\" width=\"694\" height=\"327\" \/><\/p>\n<p>However, there is a small glitch that causes your thumbnails to get deleted upon restart or when the system is left idle for some time. So, when you browse the folder containing image or video files, the system has to regenerate thumbnails, which can be strenuous work for your processor especially if you have hundreds of media files.<\/p>\n<h3>Why does Windows delete the thumbnail cache?<\/h3>\n<p>Windows has a feature called Automatic Maintenance. Automatic Maintenance contains a set of scheduled tasks which is run on a daily basis, when you\u2019re not using your computer. Automatic Maintenance takes care of updating Windows Store apps and other software, running Windows Defender scans, system diagnostics, Disk Cleanup, etc.<\/p>\n<p>To prevent your thumbnail cache from being cleared at regular intervals by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/automatic-maintenance-disable-schedule-windows-8-10\/\">automatic maintenance<\/a> schedule, use one of the following options:<\/p>\n<h3>Fix 1: Disable &#8220;Thumbnail Cache&#8221; Auto Cleanup Using the Registry<\/h3>\n<p>A scheduled task named <code>SilentCleanup<\/code> is part of the automatic maintenance feature wherein the Disk Cleanup tool is launched, which does a cleanup operation in the system drive. It clears out the temporary files, obsolete drivers, thumbnail cache, temporary internet files and much more.<\/p>\n<p>When the <code>SilentCleanup<\/code> task runs, the following command-line is executed:<\/p>\n<pre>cleanmgr.exe \/autoclean \/d %systemdrive%<\/pre>\n<p>When the <code>\/autoclean<\/code> switch is used, Disk Cleanup looks for the registry value named <code>Autorun<\/code> under every subkey of the <code>VolumeCaches<\/code> registry branch. The <code>VolumeCaches<\/code> branch contains the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/automatically-clear-temp-files-every-login-using-disk-cleanup-batch-file\/\">list of cleanup options<\/a> that shows up when Disk Cleanup is run interactively.<\/p>\n<p>If <code>Autorun<\/code> is set to <code>1<\/code>, the corresponding cleanup option is carried out. Setting it to <code>0<\/code> fixes the problem. Follow these steps:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Start the Registry Editor (<code>regedit.exe<\/code>) and go to:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<pre>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\VolumeCaches\\Thumbnail Cache<\/pre>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>In the right-pane, double-click <code>Autorun<\/code> and set its data to <code>0<\/code><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5869\" src=\"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/thumbnail-cache-clear-autorun-disable.png\" alt=\"disk cleanup thumbnail cache autorun disable\" width=\"699\" height=\"382\" \/><\/p>\n<p>By setting <code>Autorun<\/code> to <code>0<\/code> in the mentioned registry path, Disk Cleanup (when run with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/disk-cleanup-checkbox-options-default-enabled\/\"><code>\/autoclean<\/code><\/a> switch) will refrain from clearing the thumbnail cache database.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Exit the Registry Editor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This registry setting <strong>doesn&#8217;t prevent you<\/strong> from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/clear-thumbnail-cache-windows\/\">clearing the thumbnail cache<\/a> by launching Disk Cleanup manually. You can also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/automatically-clear-temp-files-every-login-using-disk-cleanup-batch-file\/\">configure Disk Cleanup<\/a> to clear\u00a0the thumbnail cache and run it only when needed, rather than automatic maintenance doing it for you.<\/p>\n<h3>Fix 2: Disable the SilentCleanup Scheduled Task<\/h3>\n<p>If you want to prevent Disk Cleanup from running as part of the automatic maintenance schedule, open Task Scheduler <code>taskschd.msc<\/code>. expand Task Scheduler Library and then go to the following branch:<\/p>\n<pre>\\Microsoft\\Windows\\DiskCleanup<\/pre>\n<p>In the right-pane, right-click <code>SilentCleanup<\/code> task, and choose Disable.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5868\" src=\"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/silentcleanup-task.png\" alt=\"silentcleanup task scheduler automatic maintenance\" width=\"800\" height=\"274\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Close the Task Scheduler window.<\/p>\n<p><em>Personally, I don&#8217;t prefer this method as I&#8217;d like Disk Cleanup to run as a part of the schedule, but just don&#8217;t want it to clear the thumbnail caches. Method 1 is the recommended option.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Some users disable the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/automatic-maintenance-disable-schedule-windows-8-10\/\">automatic maintenance feature<\/a>\u00a0altogether to circumvent this problem, which is not recommended at all on a production computer. But it&#8217;s fine if you&#8217;re you&#8217;re evaluating Windows under a virtual machine and want to conserve resources by disabling the maintenance tasks.<\/p>\n<h3>Check your 3rd party App Settings<\/h3>\n<p>If you&#8217;re using a third-party cache cleaner tool like CCleaner, configure it such that the thumbnail cache is not cleared at periodic intervals automatically.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5867\" src=\"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/ccleaner-thumbnail-cache.png\" alt=\"ccleaner thumbnail cache option\" width=\"786\" height=\"593\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Hope this guide helped you prevent Windows from automatically deleting the thumbnail cache.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you browse a folder containing media files, Windows generates thumbnail images of your image and video files if the folder view is set to thumbnail view (medium, large or extra large icons.)\u00a0The generated thumbnail is cached and written to database so that the system need not regenerate the miniature thumbnail images every time you &#8230; <a title=\"[Fix] Thumbnail Cache Auto Deletion Problem in Windows 10\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/thumbnail-cache-automatically-deleted-windows-maintenance\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about [Fix] Thumbnail Cache Auto Deletion Problem in Windows 10\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[87,155,581],"class_list":["post-5865","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-windows-10","tag-ccleaner","tag-disk-cleanup","tag-task-scheduler"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9730,"url":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/disable-folder-thumbnails-without-disabling-thumbnail-preview-for-files\/","url_meta":{"origin":5865,"position":0},"title":"Disable Folder Thumbnails without Disabling Thumbnail Preview for Files","author":"Ramesh","date":"June 10, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"When a folder contains one or more images in it, the contents of the folder are shown as the thumbnail image for that folder. Windows allows you to enable or disable thumbnail previews in File Explorer using the Always show icons, never thumbnails setting in the Folder Options dialog. When\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Windows&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Windows","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/category\/microsoft\/windows\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"disable folder content thumbnails","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/folder-content-previews-disable-before.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/folder-content-previews-disable-before.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/folder-content-previews-disable-before.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/folder-content-previews-disable-before.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":182,"url":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/fix-thumbnail-preview-for-pictures-w7-vista\/","url_meta":{"origin":5865,"position":1},"title":"Fix: Thumbnails Not Showing up in File Explorer","author":"Ramesh","date":"April 14, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Are your image files showing up with a generic mountain and lake scene instead of the miniature or thumbnail display in File Explorer? And video files may show up with a generic icon\/thumbnail. This article tells you how to enable thumbnails in File Explorer on Windows 10\/11 and earlier. RELATED:\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Windows&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Windows","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/category\/microsoft\/windows\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"thumbnails blank -- fix the IconServiceLib registry setting","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/iconservicelib-registry-thumbnail-fix.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/iconservicelib-registry-thumbnail-fix.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/iconservicelib-registry-thumbnail-fix.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/iconservicelib-registry-thumbnail-fix.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1015,"url":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/clear-thumbnail-cache-windows\/","url_meta":{"origin":5865,"position":2},"title":"How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows 10 or 11","author":"Ramesh","date":"August 11, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Windows keeps a copy of all of your picture, video, and document thumbnails in a cache database so they can be displayed quickly when you open a folder. Sometimes due to thumbnail cache corruption, thumbnail previews may not work for some files, for a particular icon size or for all\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Windows&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Windows","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/category\/microsoft\/windows\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/corrupt-thumbnail.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/corrupt-thumbnail.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/corrupt-thumbnail.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/08\/corrupt-thumbnail.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3314,"url":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/folder-thumbnails-white-border-windows-10\/","url_meta":{"origin":5865,"position":3},"title":"[Fix] Folder Thumbnails Appear With White Border in Windows 10","author":"Ramesh","date":"June 21, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"When you set a folder picture via the Customize tab in folder properties or by editing the Desktop.ini file manually, the folder thumbnail may show up with white border in Windows 10, as in the image below.Folder thumbnail behavior in Windows 10.When the same folder picture is used in Windows\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Windows 10&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Windows 10","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/category\/microsoft\/windows\/windows-10\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"folder thumbnails with white border","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/thumb-white-border-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":75329,"url":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/refresh-thumbnails-folder-shortcuts\/","url_meta":{"origin":5865,"position":4},"title":"How to Refresh Thumbnails of Folder Shortcuts (.lnk)","author":"Ramesh","date":"May 31, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"When you create a desktop shortcut to a folder, the folder shortcut thumbnail icon reflects what was in the folder it points to at creation. Later, when you add or remove files to the target folder, the folder thumbnails get updated dynamically, but the folder shortcut thumbnails remain the same.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Windows 10&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Windows 10","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/category\/microsoft\/windows\/windows-10\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"folder shortcut thumbnails not refreshing","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/folder-shortcut-thumbnail.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":70895,"url":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/user-file-folder-icon-small-windows-11\/","url_meta":{"origin":5865,"position":5},"title":"User file folder icon appears very small in Windows 11","author":"Ramesh","date":"January 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"When you access the \"Change desktop icons\" dialog and add the \"User's Files\" icon to the desktop in Windows 11, the \"User's Files\" icon may appear very small. However, if you create a shortcut to the User's Files folder, it appears correctly with the proper icon size, like all the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Windows 11&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Windows 11","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/category\/microsoft\/windows\/windows-11\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"\"User's Files\" icon appears very small - fixed","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/user-icon-small-2.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/user-icon-small-2.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/user-icon-small-2.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/user-icon-small-2.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5865","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5865"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5865\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5865"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5865"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}