Windows: Index.dat, the hidden history file...

1stFreedom

[1stFreedom]

Folks, I bet you didn't know there is a "super secret" collection of files on your computer that contains all the websites you have ever visited.

Even if you think you have cleand out your surfing history, you are wrong. Windows stores the data in index.dat file and leaves the data there EVEN if you clean out the history, temporary internet folders, and cookies.

(If you use Outlook or Office products, that history is also stored -- even deleted messages!.)

While I'm a big advocate of "if you have nothing to hide don't worry" I'm also an advocate of keeping my pc free of my web visits, e-mails, etc.

I deleted my index.dat files and regained a whopping 28mb!!

(Keep in mind that most employers keep track, so some degree, of sites you have visited. Deleting index.dat files will only clean out your PC. Don't think you can visit forbidden sites and get away with it.)

You can't just find or delete these files from Windows easily -- they are hidden. On your favorite search engine do a search on Windows and index.dat. You'll find plenty of utilities that will clean these files out for you.

[b4its2late]

S'OK. SupportFreeRepublic is a nick created to post the donation requests on all the threads, I think.

I know. Just making a funny....

[Dominic Harr]

1. Index.dat is intended to be a permanent, perpetual list.

2. It is *not* for caching.

If you can't put 2+2 together here, then logic just might not be your strong suit.

And if you can't recognize the type of person that would defend this kind of behavior, then judgement may not be either.

[Dominic Harr]

list bump.

[raygun]

How are you trying to clear the free space? It sounds like you're trying to run defrag.

The thing to do is run scandisk in DOS and then run defrag.

But I'd not rely on Microsoft either one of those. Use SpeedDisk and DiskDoc. They are so much better than Microsoft's versions.

[raygun]

I've got this nasty feeling that people are watching me behind the monitor. The same thing with the TV. Did you know that people are watching you on it?

[stainlessbanner]

I found a disk wipe utility that overwrites your disk with 27 or 32 passes in a random order. to cleanse old data. If you ever delete a file, the locator or pointer in windows is deleted, but the data remains.

The utility wipes the physical disk by writing and deleting data. Check it out: Eraser

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I get the same restart problem with Norton Speed Disk on my machine as a I do without it on my neigbor's machine. I can "defragment" with Speed Disk but I can't use the Wipe Free Space ( or Norton Wipe info) option without the constant restart due to disk write problem that only lets me get 78% clear. On my neighbor's machine, I can only defrag it in the Safe Mode to avoid the continual restart.

[raygun]

I get the same restart problem with Norton Speed Disk on my machine as a I do without it on my neigbor's machine. I can "defragment" with Speed Disk but I can't use the Wipe Free Space ( or Norton Wipe info) option without the constant restart due to disk write problem that only lets me get 78% clear. On my neighbor's machine, I can only defrag it in the Safe Mode to avoid the continual restart.

Wow. My brain hurts now. That made no sense whatsoever. Have you tried swapping machines?

[Psycho_Bunny]

I've got this nasty feeling that people are watching me behind the monitor. The same thing with the TV. Did you know that people are watching you on it?

Dude, that's stupid.  Everyone knows you can't watch someone through a TV or Computer Monitor.

That's why the CIA has to put all those invisible gnomes in everyone's home.  Sneak into the kitchen sometime, around 4 in the morning.  That's when they have their coffee and plan their day.

You'll see.

[steplock]

You can not simply delete index.dat files either. They are locked by Windows.
Index.dat files:
You can find index.dat files in the following Windows folders:

Cookies\index.dat
History\History.IE5\index.dat
Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat


Window Washer seems to be the best cleaner if you want to erase ALL traces.

[steplock]

You can not simply delete index.dat files either. They are locked by Windows.
Index.dat files:
You can find index.dat files in the following Windows folders:

Cookies\index.dat
History\History.IE5\index.dat
Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat


Window Washer seems to be the best cleaner if you want to erase ALL traces.

[exnavy]

bump for later read.

[raygun]

Dude, really? Invisible gnomes !?!

That explains the markings on the linoleum and and cupboard sides I've noticed (not to mention the canape crumbs I've found in strange places where there shouldn't be any canape crumbs. I always thought that was pretty peculiar, but thought nothing of it until now). Gnome tracks!

Wow. Now that I'm on to them, I'm really going to freak them out and set up an ambush for 'em. Maybe that and some well placed booby traps'll fix them CIA gnome snoopers but good. You'll see. Thanx for the head's up about the monitor and TV. It was really beginning to cramp my style, you know? wink wink.

[mrsmith]

Gee that's such a peculiar problem that I checked back to see if any of our experts had been able to help you.

Here's a Norton faq on this HERE. Has a few things you haven't mentioned- clean boot and permanent swap files.

Good luck!

[TruBluKentuckian]

Since I don't use Internet Explorer, I don't need to worry about this.

Viva la Opera!!!

[jokar]

Bump to read later.

[Nita Nuprez]

Okay, I've downloaded the Spider Zip. Now, how do I get it to clean up the Index.dat files on my puter?...

Did you ever do this and if you did, how did it go?

[MHGinTN]

No, I could never get it to work. I'm now fighting 'pop-ups' with 'Popup Stopper', but it is still a nuisnace.