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What is an
index.dat?
An index.dat file is a
hidden file that contains a record of every web site address you have ever
visited and holds information on all your Internet activities, yes including
emails sent and received through Outlook or Outlook Express One of these files
can be located and viewed by Windows Explorer but none can be deleted using
either Windows Explorer
According to Microsoft these
files are used to help speed up the loading of web pages in Internet Explorer.
This doesn't appear to be the case because when you delete the Temporary
Internet Files the "index.dat" files remain behind and continue to grow. If you
delete or clear the Temporary Internet Files then there is no need to index the
URL cache because the files no longer exist.
Where are my
index.dat files located?
On Windows 95 and 98
computers the files are located in the following locations:
C:\WINDOWS\Cookies
C:\WINDOWS\History\History.IE5\*.*
C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet
Files\Content.IE5\*.*
In Windows 2000 and Windows XP the files are located in the following
locations:
\Documents and
Settings\\Cookies\index.dat
\Documents and
Settings\\Local Settings\History\History.IE5\index.dat
\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\History\History.IE5
\MSHist012001123120020101\index.dat
\Documents and
Settings\\Local Settings\History\History.IE5
\MSHist012002010720020114\index.dat
\Documents and
Settings\\Local Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat
How do I view my index.dat
files?
If you are in Windows, even with "Show hidden files and
folders" enabled, index.dat files are not visible and cannot be found if you do
a search for index.dat files. The reason that these files are so invisible is
that they are not just hidden, they have been designated as "system" files.
System files and folders are treated differently in DOS and Windows and are
effectively cloaked from casual
searches.
They can be viewed using a
Dos based programme such as StupenDos
How do I delete my
index.dat files?
In order to delete these files
you will need a Dos based programme such as StupenDos
StupenDos is available free
from http://www.sharewarejunkies.com/8s3/stupendo.htm
However before deleting your
index.dat files you must first clean up your hard driving by deleting
All Cookies
Your History
Your temporary Internet
files
If you delete your index.dat
files before cleaning up your hard drive the index.dat files will use the
information contained on your hard drive to re-write themselves (to their
original state prior to deletion)
Having cleaned up your hard drive, then
deleted your index.dat files you will need to reboot. Then you will then
discover that your PC has written new (clean) index.dat files. These files will
remain clean until you log on the Internet, then they will again begin gathering
information on your Internet activities.
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