Deleting the index.dat file

Have you ever wanted to delete the contents of your index.dat file - in the temporary Internet files folder - but couldn’t?

Here, we show you how you can remove the history you would rather not be evident on your PC

First - If you’re having trouble finding it - Select Start, Search, For Files or Folders. Now in the top Address bar, copy and paste this in:
C:\windows\temporary Internet files\content.ie5 (or) ie4

XP got to - C:\Documents and Settings\**** ? ****\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 (or) ie4

Do you want to view it's contents?

• You'll need WinZip installed first
• Select the file index, right click and select Add to Zip, Agree and Add.
• The file is then compressed, where you can open it!

NOW’s your opportunity to list all those web site addresses your spouse has been visiting then deleting temporary internet files because of ! Move the folder to your desktop and right click on it, select open with and open it with word. When the file has opened press Ctrl F and search for http...

Do you want to delete it's contents - You'll do this in MS-DOS

For IE4.x:
Click Start>>Shut Down>>Restart in MS-DOS mode>>OK.
At the DOS prompt, enter:
"del c:\windows\tempor~1\index.dat"
(without the quotes)
Press Enter. Reboot. Windows will create a new, "empty" index.dat file.

For IE5.x or 6.x:
Click Start>>Shut Down>>Restart in MS-DOS mode>>OK.
At the DOS prompt, enter:
"del c:\windows\tempor~1\content.ie5\index.dat"
(without the quotes)
Press Enter. Reboot. Windows will create a new, "empty" index.dat file.

If you have Windows ME and the option to restart in MS-DOS Mode is not listed follow this advice from Microsoft

Windows XP stores multiple index.dat files in various folders. Try PurgeIE (shareware) to manage the index.dat files in XP.

Follow the steps for viewing it's content again and you'll see it's brand new!

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Removing Temp Files for Good

Q. When I delete my "Temporary Internet Files," my C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files folder is still stuffed.
Help!

A. NOTE: Deleting your Temporary Internet Files may remove cached logon names and passwords from Web sites you visit -- be sure you've written down any you wish to save!

Internet Explorer stores cache files and offline browser content in Temporary Internet Files.

To delete those files, click on the Tools menu and select Internet Options. Here, click on the General tab, and then click the Delete Files button in the Temporary Internet Files area. In the resulting Delete Files pop-up, check the Delete all offline content option, and click OK.

If the IE delete button isn't removing all the temporary files, it could be that IE changed the default location. You can find the new location by clicking on the Settings button from the General tab (under Tools>>Internet Options).

In the Settings window, click the View Files button to find the files' location. Now you can return them to the original location. From the Settings window, click the Move Folder button, and select C:\Windows. Click OK twice, then reboot. When your computer comes up, delete the old files and folders.

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Now that you've cleaned up your IE temp files, how about ridding yourself of Windows temp files? From Windows Explorer, you can safely delete anything in the C:\Windows\Temp folder that was created any day before the current date, or you can do it automatically, every time you boot up.

From the Start menu, select Run and type "sysedit" (without the quotes), and press Enter. In the System Configuration Editor, go to the autoexec.bat window and add these lines:

deltree /y c:\windows\temp md c:\windows\temp

Save the file and exit System Configuration Editor. From now on, your Windows temp folder will be cleared every time you start the computer.

Can't find the sysedit folder?
For ME users go here and download this handy tool to edit all your system files, one you add the line don't forget to click on the little floppy image to save it!

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