IE Address Bar:Erase History COMPLETELY?

[alpinemonkey]

I've searched for this in various places and can only seem to find the obvious answers.

Let me explain:

I am a temp in an office and when I leave this particular job would like to erase all history of my internet browsing (not because I'll get 'done' but because I respect my privacy)!

I know how to do this via the Internet Options in the Control Panel (and do so every week) and I also know to go to the hidden "Temp" and "Temporary Internet Files" folders and erase their contents too. However, my problem comes with the Address Bar of Internet Explorer (ver.6). It is remembering sites I have visited, using AutoComplete, when I have erased the autocomplete memory MANY times. I've even been into the registry and deleted the "recently typed URLs" items, but still there are some sites that it remembers when I go to type an address in.

So my question is...taking into account the above actions I have already taken, WHERE is this information being stored and HOW do I delete it FOREVER!? :confused:

Thanks.

[Budfred]

If you can use a program to do it, use Spybot or CCleaner to clean out history:

http://www.ccleaner.com/downloadbuilds.asp

[alpinemonkey]

Mmm...thanks for the idea but I'm blocked from installing anything on to the PC since I don't have administrative rights.

I need to physically go to the place that they're stored myself and delete the buggers!:mad:

[Whyzman]

Is this where you've been to check the URLs int he registry?

http://www.tweakxp.com/article37093.aspx

[alpinemonkey]

Yes, indeed it is! :(

[mjc]

If you are blocked from installing then, in most cases you will be blocked from accessing some of the areas that Windows stores info. Most of the MRU (Most Recently Used) lists are in the Registry, so removing them without access to Regedit or being able to install is a bit problematic...because, basically, CCleaner does that automatically. Same with the other cleaning to tools.

You are probably limited to just cleaning what is stored in your user account...which you are already doing.

[alpinemonkey]

^Yes, but I CAN get into regedit and delete things, even though I can't install programmes. If I only knew where these re-appearing addresses were embeded I could go and find them and delete them!

[Whyzman]

The read was a bit annoying, :rolleyes: but there might be some items you've not attempted. I was specifically interested in Comment #48 regarding the "index.dat" file's removal using the command prompt in SAFEMODE (del/s index.dat)

http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com/windowsxp/articles/299/1/Remove-history-in-internet-explorer-address-bar

[Whyzman]

There's also some interesting reading if you do a Google search regarding "Really Hidden Files"

It appears that some of these might be what you're looking for...

[mjc]

Also, turning off Auto-complete and then clearing the history should remove the address bar items.

[alpinemonkey]

There's also some interesting reading if you do a Google search regarding "Really Hidden Files"

It appears that some of these might be what you're looking for...

It appears that you may have just answered all my worries!!

I'll try his method today and see what it comes up with!

Thanks everyone.;)

[alpinemonkey]

Wow...you really do find out alot when you go researching into the infamous index.dat files!!!

The answer to my problems was here:

http://support.it-mate.co.uk/?mode=Products&p=index.datsuite

..and it was especially useful as it allowed a "non-install" download version, which was perfect for my non-administrator situation at work.

So now I can relax in the knowledge that I've not only freed up some space on my HD (here AND at home) but also that no-one will ever know that I was ever on the net!!;)

Thanks again for all your help.

[Whyzman]

The uninstall suite appears to be the solution, as you say...

My reference above to the DOS command prompt using the switch to delete the file apparently creates problems for the PCHealth index.dat...which the suite indentifies and warns you to leave alone...

Looks good...