Do you run into a file called THUMBS.DB in your Windows XP file exploration and wonder what that file is? Maybe you didn't like it so you deleted it. However, like a bad dream, you delete it and it just keeps coming back!!

THUMBS.DB is in fact a cache of thumbnails (those "preview" pictures of photos) and Windows XP updates this cache automatically. I'm sure you've noticed that XP will display the thumbnail view of many folders by default, especially if there are photos in that folder. That's fine if your PC is new and running very fast. For business users; waiting for these little pictures to come up slows down the end goal of getting the files listed and working with that file.

So now you try to turn Thumbnail view off and choose Details instead by clicking on View and choosing Details from the menu. There, that's better. But wait, you go back later and find that the THUMBS.DB file is back and your folder view is back to Thumbnail! Wait, you see the error of your ways (you're not thinking like Bill) and discover under Tools/Folder Options on the View tab you can choose the checkbox beside "Do not cache thumbnails". This should take care of the THUMBS.DB file and maintain your preferred view.

For those of you who are comfortable editing your Registry, you can also disable thumbnail caching in the registry as follows:

• Open the Registry Editor (regedit.exe)

• Click on File/Export to save a copy of your registry prior to modifying.

• Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.

• Double-click the DisableThumbnailCache value, or go to Edit -> New -> DWORD value to create a new value by that name.

• Enter 1 for its value.

• Click Ok and close the Registry Editor when you're done; you'll have to log off and then log back on for this to take effect.

Take that Ebert & Roper!!