Do I need to commit .gitignore?

Yes — .gitignore should be committed to the repository so all collaborators benefit from the same ignore rules.

How do I add custom patterns?

Open your .gitignore file and add the pattern on a new line. Use # for comments, * for wildcards, / to match directories, and ! to un-ignore a previously ignored path.

How do I ignore a file that is already tracked?

Adding a file to .gitignore does not remove it from tracking if it was previously committed. Run: git rm --cached to stop tracking it without deleting the file locally.

Thumbs.db is a hidden thumbnail cache created by Windows Explorer. It stores miniature previews of images in a folder and is machine-specific — it should never be committed.

.gitignore for Windows

Windows system files including Thumbs.db, desktop.ini, and recycle bin artifacts.

Quick presets

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Windows

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13 patterns · 286 B

# Generated by DevZone Tools — https://devzone.tools/tools/gitignore-generator
# Templates: Windows
# 2026-04-20

# ---- Windows ----
# Windows
Thumbs.db
Thumbs.db:encryptable
ehthumbs.db
ehthumbs_vista.db
*.stackdump
[Dd]esktop.ini
$RECYCLE.BIN/
*.cab
*.msi
*.msix
*.msm
*.msp
*.lnk

What this template ignores

Ignores Windows thumbnail caches (Thumbs.db), desktop configuration files (desktop.ini), Recycle Bin folders, and Windows installer artifacts.

Common additions

+*.exe — if you build executables locally
+*.dll — compiled dynamic libraries
+*.pdb — debug symbol files

Commonly paired with

macos linux visualstudio Combine →

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to commit .gitignore?: Yes — .gitignore should be committed to the repository so all collaborators benefit from the same ignore rules.
How do I add custom patterns?: Open your .gitignore file and add the pattern on a new line. Use # for comments, * for wildcards, / to match directories, and ! to un-ignore a previously ignored path.
How do I ignore a file that is already tracked?: Adding a file to .gitignore does not remove it from tracking if it was previously committed. Run: git rm --cached <file> to stop tracking it without deleting the file locally.
What is Thumbs.db?: Thumbs.db is a hidden thumbnail cache created by Windows Explorer. It stores miniature previews of images in a folder and is machine-specific — it should never be committed.

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