Windows retains thumbnails in a cache file named thumbcache_256.db, but it does not save a thumbnail of every deleted photo. Other operating systems, including macOS and Linux, also use thumbnail caching. Users can access their thumbnail cache by navigating to %LOCALAPPDATA%MicrosoftWindowsExplorer, but this will not show deleted images. Thumbnails are created only when images are displayed in Explorer’s thumbnail view. Windows allows users to clear the thumbnail cache using the Disk Cleanup tool, and there is an option to disable thumbnail caching in Windows 11 Pro and higher. The cached thumbnails do not guarantee persistence and do not represent original files. Windows also keeps records of application launches in Prefetch, maintains entries for USB devices in the USBSTOR registry key, saves Wi-Fi networks and passwords, and can keep clipboard history and recent file shortcuts.