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Windows 11 can keep thumbnails of photos you deleted. Here's how to remove them
Winsage
September 28, 2026

Windows 11 can keep thumbnails of photos you deleted. Here’s how to remove them

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.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
September 28, 2026

Windows 11 can keep thumbnails of photos you deleted. Here’s how to remove them

A recent post on X claims that Windows retains a thumbnail of every deleted photo in a file named thumbcache_256.db, which has raised privacy concerns among users. While Windows does maintain a thumbnail cache for efficiency, this practice is not unique to Windows, as other operating systems like macOS, Linux, and Android also use similar systems. Users can inspect or clear their thumbnail cache by accessing specific database files in the Windows Explorer directory. The claim that Windows retains "every photo you’ve ever deleted" is misleading, as thumbnails are only created when images are viewed in thumbnail mode. Windows does not cache every file, and thumbnails must exist before they can be cached. Additionally, Windows keeps app launch records in Prefetch files for performance optimization, maintains entries for USB devices in the USBSTOR registry key, retains records of Wi-Fi networks and passwords (which are encrypted), and can keep clipboard history and recent file shortcuts. Caching previews is common across various operating systems, and Microsoft is focused on user consent and privacy as it enhances Windows 11 with AI functionalities.
PS5 emulator successfully runs six titles at a playable 60 FPS — PS5 emulation continues to gather momentum as developers improve shader translation and Vulkan support
AppWizard
September 28, 2026

PS5 emulator successfully runs six titles at a playable 60 FPS — PS5 emulation continues to gather momentum as developers improve shader translation and Vulkan support

Developers of SharpEmu, an experimental open-source PS5 emulator, have achieved playable frame rates of 60 FPS for six out of 55 tested PS5 titles. The six titles that reached this milestone are Dreaming Sarah, Void Terrarium, New Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja, Tetris Forever, Hoa, and Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered. This achievement coincides with the release of SharpEmu v0.0.4-release.2, which includes improvements such as enhanced SPIR-V shader translation and updated Vulkan API support. SharpEmu is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS, and utilizes Vulkan and MoltenVK for graphics API calls. The emulator leverages the PlayStation 5's AMD Zen 2 x86-64 CPU to execute console CPU instructions natively on PCs. Currently, only 12 of the 55 tested titles are in a game-ready state, with six playable at 60 FPS. SharpEmu is intended for research and educational purposes and does not include copyrighted system firmware or game data. Additionally, another emulator, KytyPS5, has run the PS5 version of GTA V at approximately 40 to 60 FPS, though it experienced crashes after the opening mission.
Windows 11's driver signature requirement is one of the best anti-consumer security features out there
Winsage
September 27, 2026

Windows 11’s driver signature requirement is one of the best anti-consumer security features out there

Windows 11 requires drivers to be digitally signed, a policy aimed at enhancing security by preventing unauthorized code from executing at the kernel level. This requirement, which began with Windows Vista and became mandatory with Windows 10, version 1607, has tightened over the years, especially with the introduction of UEFI Secure Boot and TPM in Windows 11. While this enforcement protects against malware and supports anti-cheat systems in gaming, it limits user autonomy and imposes significant challenges for developers, particularly those working on smaller projects. In contrast, Linux allows users more freedom to modify their systems, though this flexibility can compromise security.
Google researcher explains why Windows NT "puts Linux to shame," and imagines an alternate history where it won
Winsage
September 27, 2026

Google researcher explains why Windows NT “puts Linux to shame,” and imagines an alternate history where it won

Laurie Kirk, a Google researcher and former Microsoft reverse engineer, argues that the Windows NT kernel is superior to Linux in several aspects, particularly in its architecture for managing resources and access permissions. She emphasizes that her critique focuses on the system architecture rather than the user interface of Windows 11. Kirk raises concerns about Linux's suitability for AI agents due to its complex security model, while praising NT's object-based design and security framework. She speculates on an alternate history where Microsoft had created an "Open NT," allowing for customizable components, but acknowledges the challenges of maintaining forks in operating systems. Critics of NT highlight its performance and reliability issues, while Linux's open-source nature has contributed to its dominance in servers and cloud computing. Kirk suggests that future operating systems may need to balance the defined resource types of NT with the flexibility of Linux, especially as AI technology evolves.
Dutch government to replace Microsoft Windows with NixOS-based operating system
Winsage
September 25, 2026

Dutch government to replace Microsoft Windows with NixOS-based operating system

The Dutch government is launching the Digitaal Autonome Werkomgeving Overheid (DAWO) initiative to create a self-sufficient digital environment, featuring a custom Linux-based operating system and IT suite. DAWO will be based on the Dutch Linux distribution NixOS and will include an office suite, collaboration applications, cloud services, and management tools, with a stable version expected by 2027. Other European countries, such as Denmark, Switzerland, and France, are also pursuing digital independence, with France transitioning 250 employees to Linux-based workstations using NixOS and promoting broader Linux adoption within state administration.
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