How to Recover .THUMBNAILS Files from a Corrupted Disk After Mistaken Deletion

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .THUMBNAILS file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Recover .THUMBNAILS Files from a Corrupted Disk After Mistaken Deletion

What is a .THUMBNAILS file?

A folder with a .THUMBNAILS extension is a hidden folder stored in the sdcard/DCIM

What Are Common Causes of ".THUMBNAILS" Files Lost or Failure?

There can be several common causes for ".THUMBNAILS" files to be lost or fail:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete the ".THUMBNAILS" files while deleting other unwanted files or folders.
  2. Disk or file system corruption: Issues with the disk or file system can lead to corruption or loss of ".THUMBNAILS" files. This can occur due to power outages, system crashes, or improper shutdowns.
  3. Virus or malware infection: Malicious software can infect and corrupt ".THUMBNAILS" files, making them inaccessible or causing them to fail.
  4. Software or system errors: Errors within the operating system or software applications can cause ".THUMBNAILS" files to become corrupted or lost. This can happen due to bugs, compatibility issues, or software conflicts.
  5. Hardware failure: If the storage device where the ".THUMBNAILS" files are stored (such as a hard drive or SSD) fails, it can result in the loss or failure of the files.
  6. File system errors: Errors in the file system structure can lead to the loss or failure of ".THUMBNAILS" files. This can occur due to improper file system handling, disk errors, or bad sectors on the storage device.
  7. User error: Users may accidentally move or rename the ".THUMBNAILS" files, making them difficult to locate or causing them to fail.
  8. Software updates or upgrades: Sometimes, during software updates or upgrades, the ".THUMBNAILS" files may be affected, leading to their loss or failure.

It is important to regularly back up important files, including ".THUMBNAILS" files, to prevent data loss in case of any of these causes.

How to recover lost ".THUMBNAILS" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".THUMBNAILS" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".THUMBNAILS" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".THUMBNAILS" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".THUMBNAILS" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".THUMBNAILS" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".THUMBNAILS" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo android Thumbnails Folder image file file?

Programs that open ".THUMBNAILS" files

Android
ES File Explorer File Manager ES File Explorer File Manager

Additional Information

  • File type: Android Thumbnails Folder

  • File extension: .THUMBNAILS

  • Developer: Google

  • Category: System Files

  • Format: N/A

Feedback

We will be happy to answer your questions!

Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 15:26 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .THUMBNAILS files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
Post comment
User
Leave a reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

Share

Questions and answers

  • How can I recover or restore a ".THUMBNAILS backup" file?

    To recover or restore a ".THUMBNAILS backup" file, you can follow these steps:

    1. Locate the backup file: The ".THUMBNAILS backup" file is typically found in the DCIM folder on your Android device or camera. Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable and navigate to the DCIM folder to find the backup file.
    2. Rename the file: Change the file extension from ".THUMBNAILS backup" to ".THUMBNAILS". This will make it recognizable by the system.
    3. Transfer the file: Copy the renamed ".THUMBNAILS" file to the appropriate location on your device. If you are restoring from a backup, replace the existing ".THUMBNAILS" file with the recovered one. If you are transferring it to a new device, place it in the DCIM folder.
    4. Restart the device: To ensure the changes take effect, restart your device.

    After following these steps, your ".THUMBNAILS backup" file should be recovered or restored, and you should be able to access your thumbnails again.

  • What is the purpose of creating a ".THUMBNAILS backup" file?

    The purpose of creating a ".THUMBNAILS backup" file is to store a backup of thumbnail images that are generated by an operating system or software application. Thumbnails are small, reduced-size versions of images or videos used for quick reference or preview purposes.

    Creating a backup file ensures that if the original thumbnail files are accidentally deleted, corrupted, or lost, they can be restored from the backup. This is particularly useful in scenarios where thumbnails are essential for efficient browsing or organizing large collections of media files. The backup file acts as a safeguard against data loss and allows for easy restoration of the thumbnail images.

  • Are there any specific software or tools available to view or manage ".THUMBNAILS backup" files?

    There are several software and tools available to view or manage ".THUMBNAILS backup" files. Some popular options include:

    1. IrfanView: A lightweight and versatile image viewer that can also open ".THUMBNAILS backup" files.
    2. XnView: Another powerful image viewer that supports various file formats, including ".THUMBNAILS backup" files.
    3. FastStone Image Viewer: A feature-rich image viewer and editor that can open and manage ".THUMBNAILS backup" files.
    4. Thumbs.db Viewer: A dedicated tool designed specifically for viewing and managing ".THUMBNAILS backup" files. It allows you to extract thumbnails, view image metadata, and export images.
    5. Total Commander: A file manager with built-in support for viewing and extracting ".THUMBNAILS backup" files.
    6. Windows Explorer: Although not a dedicated tool, Windows Explorer can be used to view ".THUMBNAILS backup" files by enabling the display of hidden files and folders in the folder options.

    It's worth noting that ".THUMBNAILS backup" files are typically generated by the Windows operating system to store thumbnail cache for faster loading of thumbnails. They are not meant to be directly opened or managed by users.

Hello! This is AI-based Hetman Software virtual assistant, and it will answer any of your questions right away.
Start Chat