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Windows: Index.dat, the hidden history file...
1stFreedom
Posted on 01/21/2003 12:56:48 PM PST by 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.
TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: microsoft; techindex
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To: All
Interesting.
2
posted on
01/21/2003 12:58:59 PM PST
by
Support Free Republic
(Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)
To: All
3
posted on
01/21/2003 12:59:44 PM PST
by
Support Free Republic
(Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)
To: 1stFreedom
WARNING! I think this is a HOAX! DO NOT delete index.dat until you speak to your system manager!
To: Support Free Republic
A 'Whopping' 28 mb's? Wow!
To: TheJollyRoger; Admin Moderator
perhaps a quick check would be in order before promoting something that can damage our computers?
To: 1stFreedom
Well mine is 9.7Mb deleting now.
7
posted on
01/21/2003 1:02:39 PM PST
by
widgysoft
(< Woo and Yay! >)
Comment #8 Removed by Moderator
To: Teacher317
ditto,keep the thread up til the geeks set us straight
To: 1stFreedom
What directory/path is "index.dat" located in, and what Windows operating system are you specifically talking about?
To: demlosers
It's in the cookies directory under windows......
To: 1stFreedom
bump to check where this goes
12
posted on
01/21/2003 1:05:20 PM PST
by
Diana Rose
(4GOT10)
To: demlosers
looks like gibberish to me......
To: Support Free Republic
I have been watching you....
Interesting
14
posted on
01/21/2003 1:07:05 PM PST
by
alisasny
To: alisasny
Not that interesting.
To: 1stFreedom; Bush2000
Ping! Hey, Bush2000 you keep up to date on Windows stuff, rumour is you're really Bill Gates, but, even though you pick on my Macintosh, I do trust you completely when it comes to Windows stuff. So, is this guy yanking some chains? Also, if you're really Bill Gates, could you spare a billion or so? I'd even switch back to Windows!
To: alisasny
Support Free Republic signed up 2003-01-14.
To: All
DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!!
It stores many important settings as well, so write them down before deleting, ,unless you want to set up a whole BUNCH of things all over again............it will be like you just installed the programs.
And you can not delete it in 2000 unless you are logged in as another user like adminstrator (memory at work here).
His, (The Master PROGRAMMER'S)(BR> Bob Z.
18
posted on
01/21/2003 1:09:39 PM PST
by
Bob Z.
To: 1stFreedom
bump
19
posted on
01/21/2003 1:10:16 PM PST
by
facedown
(Armed in the Heartland)
To: 1stFreedom
I dislike the idea of downloading some random shareware and letting it loose on my disk. And it's unnecessary. To find index.dat, from IE just look in Internet Options->General->Temporary Internat Files->Settings, and observe where the folder for your temporary internet files are. There will be a subfolder called Content.IEsomething. Index.dat will be in that folder
20
posted on
01/21/2003 1:10:22 PM PST
by
SauronOfMordor
(To see the ultimate evil, visit the Democrat Party)
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