Unwanted folders with graphics

Why does Vista Home Premium (with SP2) on a SONY VAIO laptop automatically
installs a folder with a "files" extension with two thumbnails for every
graphic data file saved anywhere?

For example when I save a photo abc.jpg, a new folder abc.jpg.files is
automatically added. This folder contains two 4 kb thumbnails called
vcm_s_kf_m160_150x150.jpg and vcm_s_kf_repr_150x150.jpg.

Is this perhaps required by some graphics viewing Windows or Sony software -
which I never use.

The laptop came preloaded with Vista and Sony software. Because Windows was
preloaded, Microsoft does not provide support and the dealer and distributor
do no know what causes the above unwanted folders.

Thanks for any help.

John