 Why index.dat files considered to be privacy threat
Internet history is more than just a list of visited web sites. Computer stores multiple records of your Internet history. Even if you erase history tracks manually there are some history files that can't be deleted without special software - index.dat files. Index.dat files are used by Internet Explorer to record information about Internet sites that have been visited and details of cookies being stored on your computer. Whenever you visit different web sites, information about web site address, time of visit, images, scripts, tracking cookies and web page contents are saved to your hard drive. This speeds up access to the site if you visit it again as Internet can open them from your hard disk instead of downloading them from the web.
Index.dat files used by Internet Explorer
There are three index.dat files used by Internet Explorer: history index.dat file, cookies index.dat file, cache index.dat file. Index.dat files are used by Internet Explorer to store Internet history, cache, cookies and other information about your Internet activity.
Why should I erase index.dat files?
Although index.dat files are useful, they can compromise your privacy as any person who has some knowledge about index.dat files and has access to your computer can see the history of your Internet activities. Index.dat files are system files and they can't be deleted manually as they are used by Windows all the time (index.dat files are locked by Windows). Their content is not deleted even if you erase browser history, cache and cookies. Using ClearAllHistory you can easily erase index.dat files content and erase index.dat files.
Where are index.dat files located?
There are three index.dat files used by Internet Explorer (history index.dat file, cookies index.dat file, cache index.dat file). Location of index.dat files depends on the version of Windows.
Note: Index.dat files are hidden by default. To make index.dat files visible, you should enable Explorer to view hidden and system files.
Why you should delete history index.dat file
Although index.dat files are useful, they can compromise your privacy as any person who has some knowledge about index.dat files and has access to your computer can see the history of your Internet activities.
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Clear All History
A must-have tool for every PC user
• advanced scheduler to erase history automatically
• shredder option
Erase Internet History
• erase browser history
• erase search history
• erase Toolbar search history
• erase AutoComplete
• erase address bar history
• erase index.dat files
• erase cache (Temporary Internet Files)
• erase cookies & passwords
• supports Internet Explorer, MSN Explorer, Firefox, Maxthon (MyIE2), Opera, Netscape, Mozilla
Erase Windows history
• Windows Temporary Files
• clear clipboard
• Recent Documents list
• Recent items
• Recently open/save files list
• Page file (swap file)
• Windows Run History
• Windows search history
• Start Menu open programs history
Erase application history
• erase Microsoft Office recent documents history
• clear Google Desktop
• erase Windows Media Player history and more
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How to delete history index.dat file?
Index.dat files are system files and they can't be erased manually as they are used by Windows all the time (index.dat files are locked by Windows). Their content is not erased even if you clear browser history, cache and cookies. Using ClearAllHistory you can easily erase index.dat files content or erase index.dat files.
To erase history index.dat files manually
For Windows NT/2000/XP/2003:
As index.dat file is used by Windows all time, to erase index.dat file manually, you should log in by another user with administrator privileges. If you don't have another account with administrator privileges, create a new one.
To create a new account:
1. Select Start -> Settings -> Control panel.
2. Select User Accounts.
3. Select "Create a new account" and enter necessary information.
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Index.dat files location - Windows 95/98/Me:
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\Cookies\index.dat
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\History\index.dat
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\History\MSHist[digits]\index.dat
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\History\History.IE5\index.dat
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\History\History.IE5\MSHist[digits]\index.dat
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\UserData\index.dat
If you don't have Profiles directory:
C:\Windows\Cookies\index.dat
C:\Windows\History\index.dat
C:\Windows\History\MSHist[digits]\index.dat
C:\Windows\History\History.IE5\index.dat
C:\Windows\History\History.IE5\MSHist[digits]\index.dat
C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat
C:\Windows\UserData\index.dat
Note: on your computer Windows may be installed on another drive, in another directory.
Index.dat files location - Windows 2000/XP:
\Documents and Settings\[username]\Cookies\index.dat
\Documents and Settings\[username]\Local Settings\History\History.IE5\index.dat
\Documents and Settings\[username]\Local Settings\History\History.IE5\MSHist[digits]\index.dat
\Documents and Settings\[username]\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat
Where can I find Internet Explorer history index.dat file?
History index.dat includes URL entries used for AutoComplete and for controlling the highlighting of imbedded links on web pages. Every time you visit a web page, Internet Explorer inserts an entry in the history index.dat file
History index.dat file location - Windows 95/98/Me:
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\History\index.dat
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\History\MSHist[digits]\index.dat
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\History\History.IE5\index.dat
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\History\History.IE5\MSHist[digits]\index.dat
If you don't have Profiles directory:
C:\Windows\History\index.dat
C:\Windows\History\MSHist[digits]\index.dat
C:\Windows\History\History.IE5\index.dat
C:\Windows\History\History.IE5\MSHist[digits]\index.dat
Note: on your computer Windows may be installed on another drive, in another directory.
History index.dat files location - Windows 2000/XP:
\Documents and Settings\[username]\Local Settings\History\History.IE5\index.dat
\Documents and Settings\[username]\Local Settings\History\History.IE5\MSHist[digits]\index.dat
Where can I find Internet Explorer cache index.dat file?
Cache index.dat file contains URLs with date/time stamps and pointers to cache files.
The location of cache index.dat file - Windows 95/98/Me:
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat
If you don't have Profiles directory:
C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat
Note: on your computer Windows may be installed on another drive, in another directory.
Index.dat files location - Windows 2000/XP:
\Documents and Settings\[username]\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat
Why you should erase cache index.dat file
Internet history is more than just a list of visited web sites. Computer stores multiple records of your Internet history that can't be easily deleted. There are three index.dat files used by Internet Explorer - history index.dat file, cookies index.dat file, cache index.dat file. Index.dat files are used by Internet Explorer to store Internet history, cache, cookies and other information about your Internet activity.
Although index.dat files are useful, they can compromise your privacy as any person who has some knowledge about index.dat files and has access to your computer can see the history of your Internet activities.
How can I erase cache index.dat file in Internet Explorer?
Index.dat files are system files and they can't be erased manually as they are used by Windows all the time (index.dat files are locked by Windows). Their content is not erased even if you clear browser history, cache and cookies. Using ClearAllHistory you can easily erase index.dat files content or erase index.dat files.
Where can I find Internet Explorer cookies index.dat file?
Cookies index.dat file contains URLs with date/time stamps and pointers to cookie files. Every time a web site places a cookie on your PC, Internet Explorer inserts an entry in the cookies index.dat file that associates a web page with a cookie file.
Cookies index.dat file location - Windows 95/98/Me:
C:\Windows\Profiles\[username]\Cookies\index.dat
If you don't have Profiles directory:
C:\Windows\Cookies\index.dat
Note: on your computer Windows may be installed on another drive, in another directory.
Cookies index.dat files location - Windows 2000/XP:
\Documents and Settings\[username]\Cookies\index.dat
Why you should erase cookies index.dat file
Internet history is more than just a list of visited web sites. Computer stores multiple records of your Internet history that can't be easily deleted. There are three index.dat files used by Internet Explorer - history index.dat file, cookies index.dat file, cache index.dat file. Index.dat files are used by Internet Explorer to store Internet history, cache, cookies and other information about your Internet activity.
Although index.dat files are useful, they can compromise your privacy as any person who has some knowledge about index.dat files and has access to your computer can see the history of your Internet activities.
How can I erase cookies index.dat file in Internet Explorer?
Index.dat files are system files and they can't be deleted manually as they are used by Windows all the time (index.dat files are locked by Windows). Their content is not deleted even if you clear browser history, cache and cookies. Using ClearAllHistory you can easily erase index.dat files content or erase index.dat files.
To erase index.dat files manually
For Windows NT/2000/XP/2003:
As index.dat file is used by Windows all time, to erase index.dat file manually, you should log in by another user with administrator privileges. If you don't have another account with administrator privileges, create a new one.
To create a new account:
1. Select Start -> Settings -> Control panel.
2. Select User Accounts.
3. Select "Create a new account" and enter necessary information.
How to view index.dat files?
Index.dat files are hidden by default. To make index.dat files visible, you should enable Explorer to view hidden and system files:
1. Select Start -> Settings -> Control panel.
2. Select Folder Options.
3. In the "Folder Options" window open "View" folder.
4. In Advanced Settings open "Files and Folders" and
Select "Display the content of system folders"
Open "Hidden files and folders" and select "Show hidden files and folders"
5. Click OK
Erase-History.net - tips to erase index.dat files
How to erase index.dat files
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