Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

I read somewhere that even if you empty the Temp Internet folder and My
History and all that, Windows still keep a record of all of your internet
visits in the index.dat file. I also read that Windows won't let you delete
this file, but if you do (from DOS), it's okay and won't crash your computer.
What are the dangers of deleting the index.dat file located in:
C:\Windows\UserData ?
C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 ?
C:\Windows\Cookies ?

I'm lazy. How do I rig Windows to delete 'em for me while it's still in DOS
mode when it is just starting up.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

"Abraham" <Abraham@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1FB686C3-8E71-491A-98EE-4656C961F7F2@microsoft.com...

> What are the dangers of deleting the index.dat file located in:
> C:\Windows\UserData ?
> C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 ?
> C:\Windows\Cookies ?
>
> I'm lazy. How do I rig Windows to delete 'em for me while it's still in
DOS
> mode when it is just starting up.

Although Windows uses the same filename INDEX.DAT
for each, these are three different system files, used to
speed up the system (e.g. when listing Cookies, retrieving
for display recent data from Temp. Internet Files). So you
can delete them, which will make the data unorganized,
so when the system needs any of this data it will either
be unable to find it or retrieve it more slowly. Why on
earth would you want to do this?

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Abraham wrote:
> I read somewhere that even if you empty the Temp Internet folder and My
> History and all that, Windows still keep a record of all of your internet
> visits in the index.dat file. I also read that Windows won't let you delete
> this file, but if you do (from DOS), it's okay and won't crash your computer.
> What are the dangers of deleting the index.dat file located in:
> C:\Windows\UserData ?
> C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 ?
> C:\Windows\Cookies ?

TweakUI's paranoia tools help better there but.

If you really want to...

Add lines like:
del C:\windows\cookies\index.dat

....to your C:\Autoexe.bat file.

--
Model: INFJ
Primary function: Coprocessor
Secondary function: Cluster commander

Yes I'm a therian:
http://www.wikitherian.org

Powered by Deamons(TM).

....to live your life fast
and powerfull; and then
live your life just to keep
the Deamons at bay.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

> > ...to your C:\Autoexe.bat file.

> That should be "C:\Windows\AutoexeC.bat.

Redhot catch.
My .bat file is C:\Autoexec.bat though, always
has been.

...Rex..

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Gary S. Terhune wrote:
> "Jure Sah" <jure.sah@guest.arnes.si> wrote in message
> news:xKbwe.13026$F6.2809286@news.siol.net...
>
>>
>> Add lines like:
>> del C:\windows\cookies\index.dat
>>
>> ...to your C:\Autoexe.bat file.
>
>
> That should be "C:\Windows\AutoexeC.bat.

Not really in the windows directory.

But yes, typo, it is C:\Autoexec.bat

> Also, you don't want to be
> deleting just the INDEX.DAT files. If you're going to go this route, use
> the DELTREE command to delete the entire folder:
>
> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\COOKIES /Y
> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\HISTORY /Y
> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\TEMPOR~1 /Y

As far as I know erradicating the "Cookies", "History" and "Temporary
Internet Files" directories is a recipie for problems with Internet
Explorer (and in term possibly also Windows Explorer, since they're one
and the same thing).

The problem being that "Deltree" will delete the folders also, and IE
will encounter an error when trying to place a cookie, etc (and trust
me, IE ISN'T built to handle this).

So... given you really want to delete "Index.dat" because it contains
some data you want gone, sure, but deleting those folders could cause
Windows to commit sueccide, head first.

Anyway, I wouldn't recomend doing any of that, simply configuring
TweakUI to do the cleanup for you automatically on logon is a MUCH
better idea IMHO.

--
Model: INFJ
Primary function: Coprocessor
Secondary function: Cluster commander

Yes I'm a therian:
http://www.wikitherian.org

Powered by Deamons(TM).

....to live your life fast
and powerfull; and then
live your life just to keep
the Deamons at bay.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Right! C:\Autoexec.bat.

Wrong! You can most certainly DELTREE any of those folders. Windows will
simply recreate them upon startup. I and millions of others have been
doing it for years. In fact, it's often the way to *fix* problems in IE.

You *can't* delete the folders in Windows. Must be done in DOS before
Windows loads.

While we're on the subject, however, when it comes to the TIF folder, MS
has significantly improved cache management since the bad old days at
the advent of IE 5, but even today it is prone to quirky behavior. The
*best* solution for this is to use CacheSentry. I don't use it as an
always-on background app. I run it as a scheduled task (hourly) with
the -i switch. Loads, repairs the index file and gets rid of unindexed
files, then exits.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"Jure Sah" <jure.sah@guest.arnes.si> wrote in message
news:Xbjwe.2$cE1.54@news.siol.net...
> Gary S. Terhune wrote:
>> "Jure Sah" <jure.sah@guest.arnes.si> wrote in message
>> news:xKbwe.13026$F6.2809286@news.siol.net...
>>
>>>
>>> Add lines like:
>>> del C:\windows\cookies\index.dat
>>>
>>> ...to your C:\Autoexe.bat file.
>>
>>
>> That should be "C:\Windows\AutoexeC.bat.
>
> Not really in the windows directory.
>
> But yes, typo, it is C:\Autoexec.bat
>
>> Also, you don't want to be deleting just the INDEX.DAT files. If
>> you're going to go this route, use the DELTREE command to delete the
>> entire folder:
>>
>> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\COOKIES /Y
>> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\HISTORY /Y
>> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\TEMPOR~1 /Y
>
> As far as I know erradicating the "Cookies", "History" and "Temporary
> Internet Files" directories is a recipie for problems with Internet
> Explorer (and in term possibly also Windows Explorer, since they're
> one and the same thing).
>
> The problem being that "Deltree" will delete the folders also, and IE
> will encounter an error when trying to place a cookie, etc (and trust
> me, IE ISN'T built to handle this).
>
> So... given you really want to delete "Index.dat" because it contains
> some data you want gone, sure, but deleting those folders could cause
> Windows to commit sueccide, head first.
>
> Anyway, I wouldn't recomend doing any of that, simply configuring
> TweakUI to do the cleanup for you automatically on logon is a MUCH
> better idea IMHO.
>
> --
> Model: INFJ
> Primary function: Coprocessor
> Secondary function: Cluster commander
>
> Yes I'm a therian:
> http://www.wikitherian.org
>
> Powered by Deamons(TM).
>
> ...to live your life fast
> and powerfull; and then
> live your life just to keep
> the Deamons at bay.
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Also, regardless of what others may say, TUI is something I *don't*
recommend. If you need to tweak your system, learn how to do it
yourself. At least you'll know what you did and how to (probably) undo
it if you notice unwanted side-effects. Whereas using TUI to do it
leaves the user in the dark about many side-effects, a few of which are
not easy to undo.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"Jure Sah" <jure.sah@guest.arnes.si> wrote in message
news:Xbjwe.2$cE1.54@news.siol.net...
> Gary S. Terhune wrote:
>> "Jure Sah" <jure.sah@guest.arnes.si> wrote in message
>> news:xKbwe.13026$F6.2809286@news.siol.net...
>>
>>>
>>> Add lines like:
>>> del C:\windows\cookies\index.dat
>>>
>>> ...to your C:\Autoexe.bat file.
>>
>>
>> That should be "C:\Windows\AutoexeC.bat.
>
> Not really in the windows directory.
>
> But yes, typo, it is C:\Autoexec.bat
>
>> Also, you don't want to be deleting just the INDEX.DAT files. If
>> you're going to go this route, use the DELTREE command to delete the
>> entire folder:
>>
>> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\COOKIES /Y
>> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\HISTORY /Y
>> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\TEMPOR~1 /Y
>
> As far as I know erradicating the "Cookies", "History" and "Temporary
> Internet Files" directories is a recipie for problems with Internet
> Explorer (and in term possibly also Windows Explorer, since they're
> one and the same thing).
>
> The problem being that "Deltree" will delete the folders also, and IE
> will encounter an error when trying to place a cookie, etc (and trust
> me, IE ISN'T built to handle this).
>
> So... given you really want to delete "Index.dat" because it contains
> some data you want gone, sure, but deleting those folders could cause
> Windows to commit sueccide, head first.
>
> Anyway, I wouldn't recomend doing any of that, simply configuring
> TweakUI to do the cleanup for you automatically on logon is a MUCH
> better idea IMHO.
>
> --
> Model: INFJ
> Primary function: Coprocessor
> Secondary function: Cluster commander
>
> Yes I'm a therian:
> http://www.wikitherian.org
>
> Powered by Deamons(TM).
>
> ...to live your life fast
> and powerfull; and then
> live your life just to keep
> the Deamons at bay.
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

That definitely needs an "IMO" addenda, as many people use TweakUI with no problem
at all, and also with a full understanding of what it does behind the GUI. :-)
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
newsFdA$MDfFHA.3256@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Also, regardless of what others may say, TUI is something I *don't*
> recommend. If you need to tweak your system, learn how to do it
> yourself. At least you'll know what you did and how to (probably) undo
> it if you notice unwanted side-effects. Whereas using TUI to do it
> leaves the user in the dark about many side-effects, a few of which are
> not easy to undo.
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS MVP Shell/User
> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm
>
> "Jure Sah" <jure.sah@guest.arnes.si> wrote in message
> news:Xbjwe.2$cE1.54@news.siol.net...
> > Gary S. Terhune wrote:
> >> "Jure Sah" <jure.sah@guest.arnes.si> wrote in message
> >> news:xKbwe.13026$F6.2809286@news.siol.net...
> >>
> >>>
> >>> Add lines like:
> >>> del C:\windows\cookies\index.dat
> >>>
> >>> ...to your C:\Autoexe.bat file.
> >>
> >>
> >> That should be "C:\Windows\AutoexeC.bat.
> >
> > Not really in the windows directory.
> >
> > But yes, typo, it is C:\Autoexec.bat
> >
> >> Also, you don't want to be deleting just the INDEX.DAT files. If
> >> you're going to go this route, use the DELTREE command to delete the
> >> entire folder:
> >>
> >> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\COOKIES /Y
> >> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\HISTORY /Y
> >> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\TEMPOR~1 /Y
> >
> > As far as I know erradicating the "Cookies", "History" and "Temporary
> > Internet Files" directories is a recipie for problems with Internet
> > Explorer (and in term possibly also Windows Explorer, since they're
> > one and the same thing).
> >
> > The problem being that "Deltree" will delete the folders also, and IE
> > will encounter an error when trying to place a cookie, etc (and trust
> > me, IE ISN'T built to handle this).
> >
> > So... given you really want to delete "Index.dat" because it contains
> > some data you want gone, sure, but deleting those folders could cause
> > Windows to commit sueccide, head first.
> >
> > Anyway, I wouldn't recomend doing any of that, simply configuring
> > TweakUI to do the cleanup for you automatically on logon is a MUCH
> > better idea IMHO.
> >
> > --
> > Model: INFJ
> > Primary function: Coprocessor
> > Secondary function: Cluster commander
> >
> > Yes I'm a therian:
> > http://www.wikitherian.org
> >
> > Powered by Deamons(TM).
> >
> > ...to live your life fast
> > and powerfull; and then
> > live your life just to keep
> > the Deamons at bay.
> >
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

I thought it was obvious that it was my own opinion. Started out with
"..I don't recommend..." And besides, everyone knows I'm an opinionated
SOB, <g>.

I wasn't directing my recommendation towards people who know what
they're doing. I was directing it at towards a person who on the face of
it *doesn't* know what he is doing, and to the person recommending TUI
to said person.

All fine and dandy to suggest TUI for some particularly safe and
straight-forward task--but what about all the other tasks TUI can
perform, some of which are accidents waiting to happen to a user who is
clueless about what some particular setting really does? How about all
those posts to which the instant reply is, "Do you have TUI? If so...."

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in message
news:egaQCVDfFHA.748@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> That definitely needs an "IMO" addenda, as many people use TweakUI
> with no problem
> at all, and also with a full understanding of what it does behind the
> GUI. :-)
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
> newsFdA$MDfFHA.3256@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> Also, regardless of what others may say, TUI is something I *don't*
>> recommend. If you need to tweak your system, learn how to do it
>> yourself. At least you'll know what you did and how to (probably)
>> undo
>> it if you notice unwanted side-effects. Whereas using TUI to do it
>> leaves the user in the dark about many side-effects, a few of which
>> are
>> not easy to undo.
>>
>> --
>> Gary S. Terhune
>> MS MVP Shell/User
>> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
>> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm
>>
>> "Jure Sah" <jure.sah@guest.arnes.si> wrote in message
>> news:Xbjwe.2$cE1.54@news.siol.net...
>> > Gary S. Terhune wrote:
>> >> "Jure Sah" <jure.sah@guest.arnes.si> wrote in message
>> >> news:xKbwe.13026$F6.2809286@news.siol.net...
>> >>
>> >>>
>> >>> Add lines like:
>> >>> del C:\windows\cookies\index.dat
>> >>>
>> >>> ...to your C:\Autoexe.bat file.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> That should be "C:\Windows\AutoexeC.bat.
>> >
>> > Not really in the windows directory.
>> >
>> > But yes, typo, it is C:\Autoexec.bat
>> >
>> >> Also, you don't want to be deleting just the INDEX.DAT files. If
>> >> you're going to go this route, use the DELTREE command to delete
>> >> the
>> >> entire folder:
>> >>
>> >> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\COOKIES /Y
>> >> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\HISTORY /Y
>> >> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\TEMPOR~1 /Y
>> >
>> > As far as I know erradicating the "Cookies", "History" and
>> > "Temporary
>> > Internet Files" directories is a recipie for problems with Internet
>> > Explorer (and in term possibly also Windows Explorer, since they're
>> > one and the same thing).
>> >
>> > The problem being that "Deltree" will delete the folders also, and
>> > IE
>> > will encounter an error when trying to place a cookie, etc (and
>> > trust
>> > me, IE ISN'T built to handle this).
>> >
>> > So... given you really want to delete "Index.dat" because it
>> > contains
>> > some data you want gone, sure, but deleting those folders could
>> > cause
>> > Windows to commit sueccide, head first.
>> >
>> > Anyway, I wouldn't recomend doing any of that, simply configuring
>> > TweakUI to do the cleanup for you automatically on logon is a MUCH
>> > better idea IMHO.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Model: INFJ
>> > Primary function: Coprocessor
>> > Secondary function: Cluster commander
>> >
>> > Yes I'm a therian:
>> > http://www.wikitherian.org
>> >
>> > Powered by Deamons(TM).
>> >
>> > ...to live your life fast
>> > and powerfull; and then
>> > live your life just to keep
>> > the Deamons at bay.
>> >
>>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

There is some very good info regarding TweakUI and what to watch out for in
different versions, at this page by John Woram:
http://www.woram.com/REGTIPS.HTM#TWEAKUI

His guide to TweakUI, “Tweak UI and the Registry” Appendix, is found here:
http://www.woram.com/INFO.HTM

Those should be helpful for users wishing to learn about what to do and not to do,
with TweakUI.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:%23NS6vlDfFHA.3944@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> I thought it was obvious that it was my own opinion. Started out with
> "..I don't recommend..." And besides, everyone knows I'm an opinionated
> SOB, <g>.
>
> I wasn't directing my recommendation towards people who know what
> they're doing. I was directing it at towards a person who on the face of
> it *doesn't* know what he is doing, and to the person recommending TUI
> to said person.
>
> All fine and dandy to suggest TUI for some particularly safe and
> straight-forward task--but what about all the other tasks TUI can
> perform, some of which are accidents waiting to happen to a user who is
> clueless about what some particular setting really does? How about all
> those posts to which the instant reply is, "Do you have TUI? If so...."
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS MVP Shell/User
> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm
>
> "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in message
> news:egaQCVDfFHA.748@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> > That definitely needs an "IMO" addenda, as many people use TweakUI
> > with no problem
> > at all, and also with a full understanding of what it does behind the
> > GUI. :-)
> > --
> > Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> > http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> >
> >
> > "Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
> > newsFdA$MDfFHA.3256@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> >> Also, regardless of what others may say, TUI is something I *don't*
> >> recommend. If you need to tweak your system, learn how to do it
> >> yourself. At least you'll know what you did and how to (probably)
> >> undo
> >> it if you notice unwanted side-effects. Whereas using TUI to do it
> >> leaves the user in the dark about many side-effects, a few of which
> >> are
> >> not easy to undo.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Gary S. Terhune
> >> MS MVP Shell/User
> >> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
> >> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm
> >>
> >> "Jure Sah" <jure.sah@guest.arnes.si> wrote in message
> >> news:Xbjwe.2$cE1.54@news.siol.net...
> >> > Gary S. Terhune wrote:
> >> >> "Jure Sah" <jure.sah@guest.arnes.si> wrote in message
> >> >> news:xKbwe.13026$F6.2809286@news.siol.net...
> >> >>
> >> >>>
> >> >>> Add lines like:
> >> >>> del C:\windows\cookies\index.dat
> >> >>>
> >> >>> ...to your C:\Autoexe.bat file.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> That should be "C:\Windows\AutoexeC.bat.
> >> >
> >> > Not really in the windows directory.
> >> >
> >> > But yes, typo, it is C:\Autoexec.bat
> >> >
> >> >> Also, you don't want to be deleting just the INDEX.DAT files. If
> >> >> you're going to go this route, use the DELTREE command to delete
> >> >> the
> >> >> entire folder:
> >> >>
> >> >> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\COOKIES /Y
> >> >> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\HISTORY /Y
> >> >> DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\TEMPOR~1 /Y
> >> >
> >> > As far as I know erradicating the "Cookies", "History" and
> >> > "Temporary
> >> > Internet Files" directories is a recipie for problems with Internet
> >> > Explorer (and in term possibly also Windows Explorer, since they're
> >> > one and the same thing).
> >> >
> >> > The problem being that "Deltree" will delete the folders also, and
> >> > IE
> >> > will encounter an error when trying to place a cookie, etc (and
> >> > trust
> >> > me, IE ISN'T built to handle this).
> >> >
> >> > So... given you really want to delete "Index.dat" because it
> >> > contains
> >> > some data you want gone, sure, but deleting those folders could
> >> > cause
> >> > Windows to commit sueccide, head first.
> >> >
> >> > Anyway, I wouldn't recomend doing any of that, simply configuring
> >> > TweakUI to do the cleanup for you automatically on logon is a MUCH
> >> > better idea IMHO.
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > Model: INFJ
> >> > Primary function: Coprocessor
> >> > Secondary function: Cluster commander
> >> >
> >> > Yes I'm a therian:
> >> > http://www.wikitherian.org
> >> >
> >> > Powered by Deamons(TM).
> >> >
> >> > ...to live your life fast
> >> > and powerfull; and then
> >> > live your life just to keep
> >> > the Deamons at bay.
> >> >
> >>
> >
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 01:32:02 -0700, "Abraham" <Abraham@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I read somewhere that even if you empty the Temp Internet folder and My
>History and all that, Windows still keep a record of all of your internet
>visits in the index.dat file. I also read that Windows won't let you delete
>this file, but if you do (from DOS), it's okay and won't crash your computer.
>What are the dangers of deleting the index.dat file located in:
>C:\Windows\UserData ?
>C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 ?
>C:\Windows\Cookies ?
>
>I'm lazy. How do I rig Windows to delete 'em for me while it's still in DOS
>mode when it is just starting up.
>


Check out Indexdat Suite at
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Secur [...] uite.shtml

Below is a description of it.


Indexdat Suite description Download

Index.dat Suite is a rather unique program that allows you not only to delete the
index.dat files, temporary internet files, temp files, cookies and history, but it also
allows you to view the index.dat files on your system.

Index.dat Suite's current features include:

- View index.dat files
- Delete index.dat files
- View and delete Temporary Internet Files (TIF)
- View and delete Cookies
- View and delete History
- View and delete Temp files
- View and delete Recent Documents
- Auto-generation of batch file to assist in deleting the index.dat files in DOS.
- Optional add to RunOnce registry key
- Optional deletion of swap file (9x users only)
- Optional defrag after file deletion
- Full application logging

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Good info. I'd say we make a good team, <s>.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in message
news:%2384kfeEfFHA.3936@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> There is some very good info regarding TweakUI and what to watch out
> for in
> different versions, at this pag