Hi there,
I’ve been using EasyCleaner for quite a while now but there’s one thing that I never seem to understand. Whenever I delete obsolete files with this (really wonderful) programme it deletes myriads of temporary internet files in the …\TemporaryInternetFiles\Content.IE5 folder with such wonderful names as …\QJA9PYY2\memo bar4bg[1].
I don’t use I.E. (though I have IE7 installed).
I have set everything but the popupblocker and phishing filter to disable.
I have it blocked in the COMODO FW Application Monitor.
Now, I delete these files but when I run EasyCleaner after reboot it finds them again.
I’m quite sure (judging by theit names) that these files are somehow protected by IE and belong with it. I just wanted to make sure.
So if anyone could supply me with some information, I’d be most grateful.
Cheers,
grampa (as you all know we old folks know nothing about computers whatsoever so plz forgive my asking trivial questions ;D)
~Topic title changed by Moderator to more accurately reflect content~
If you are able to delete them you will surely have problems if they stay deleted. At restart the file will be recreated. That is why you can still find and open the index.dat file.
When you delete your Index.dat file does it still contain the same entries before and after restarting, or is it empty? Remember, Empty is not Zero because it can never be really empty.
Empty, in the case of index.dat, does not equal zero. It can be 16 or 32 depending. They are default sizes that windows recreates if the user deletes the user added content.
I just did a search on my computer of index.dat and found 28 files.
Thanks munckman,
I think I’ve just won some more insight into the mysterious world of computers.
You’re absolutely right, I have 13 index.bat files (16 to 32 kb).
Just one more question:
Is it safe to use EasyCleaner and simply delete these files as they keep being recreated at startup (I’m far too lazy to check every single obsolete file (:SHY)), or will this eventually have negative consequences???
Thank you very much for your help in this matter and in my delving into the depth of the mysterious world of computers.
Cheers,
grampa. (R)
I managed to achieve only 4 index.dat files on my computer for a long time 8). I have IE6 and depending on which options are selected, it will certainly affect the index.dat size as well. Mine are 16KB, 32KB (x 2), and 64 KB. Clearing the internet cache also helps. Each time I use IE, it’s guaranteed that index.dat files will grow in number/size.
As munckman pointed out, they are locked by Windows (just like IE is built into the OS), but not all of them. And even if you could delete them, they will re-generate.
Thanks for filling me in, I think I finally understood :BNC
It really is a long and rocky road to computer-wisdom but thanks to people like you even the lame can make progress - one step at a time.
…Why isn’t there a smiley saying: COMODO FORUM MEMBER ROCK! ???
Because: YOU ROCK!
Cheers,
grampa.
You asked if was safe to delete these files and I cautiously say yes. Please use a program designed to to deal with them. ToniArts has been doing so for many years and will only delete the ones it is supposed to. There are other programs that produce index.dat files. Here is one of mine C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\OfflineCache\index.dat . I know what it is so no problem. Also, I don’t think a program like EasyCleaner would touch it. Index.dat Cleaners go after browser stufff.
Soya,
I thought there were 64kb index.dat files but when I searched on XP and didn’t see any I thought it best not to mention it. Possibly, it is on 98 only? I wondered about having 28 files but with 4 User Accounts and All files in full view; it seemed reasonable. I just scanned without System and Hidden files. I only found One. That doesn’t seem like enough though.
Even if all internet traces are deleted in a IE, the URLs are still sitting there in the index.dat files! This could be a privacy concern to say the least and is why there are programs to delete them.
Every system setup is different. I remember a few years ago I read on various websites and their secret “tricks” to delete super hidden index.dat and other related restricted folders/files in DOS. It was tedious to say the least. Don’t ask because I don’t (want to) remember it :o. My search with 4 index.dat files was with hidden & system files enabled.
I think that’s partially true. Sometimes you not only have to clear the IE cache via the official way in Internet Options, but a reboot may prove necessary (or try to end explorer.exe in Task Manager and re-run it). Then open some of the index.dat files with Notepad or other text editor to see if the URLs still exist.
Hi guys
I use index.dat suite for clearing the files. Scans the system and marks the files for deletion. Generates a batch file entered into run once then deletes files next boot.
Have used for a long time without problems.
A scan on my system finds 10 index.dat files not counting pc health.
Good to here you haven’t had problems with index.dat suite . The same author is now maintaining the hpHosts file. It is one of the larger lists and can be found at the second link I posted above. Or directly http://hosts-file.net/ .
Hi there,
as I’m not using IE at all that shouldn’t be a problem for me, should it?
I’ve been using Firefox for years now and always delete all internet traces when I exit it.
I read a lot about FF and it is said to really erase ALL traces, in contrast to IE. Is this true or is it still a good idea to dl an index.dat cleaner?
CCleaner ( http://www.ccleaner.com/ ) deletes (or makes empty) those index.dat files for IE, as far as I know. I use it every day before shutting down the computer. Really a great program, super fast and it even deletes Windows update installers if you wish - may save around 200 MB. Also an efficient registry cleaner built in.
I’ve had seperate tools for these tasks. Easycleaner for reg and temp, tools for this tools for that
My impression of ccleaner over the last few months is that it’s a pretty decent program. Started off on fairly conservative settings gradually to more advanced.
Used its reg cleaner a number of times now with no need to restore any backups.
I’ll be able to remove 4 or 5 diff utils and just use ccleaner
sullo, that’s good to hear
I’ve never had any problems with that registry cleaner either. Have tried others which “destroyed” my AutoCAD installation, for example. After my last last re-install of Windows XP (OEM recovery solution including some programs that I removed immediately), I ran CCleaner, and it actually found about 500 registry erros. After that I ran RegSeeker (which is even deeper); it found another 500 errors! Removed all 1000 errors, ran a registry defragmenter and now the system works perfekt.
Sorry grampa, this was a little off topic! Have you tried CCleaner?
I think I tried it a couple of years ago on my old computer. If I’m not mistaken I never installed it on my new one bc I had some issues with missing registry links. As I was trying out many “cleaners” at that time I might, however, mistake it for another (though I’m 85% positive it was CC).
Thank you ever so much for filling me in on the different sorts of cleaners.
I think I might just give one of the progs (perhaps CC) a(nother) try.
Cheers,
grampa.
Don’t worry. This is in the Off Topic parent board, so it’s more lenient ;).
The one thing to be careful with all these cleaners is knowing what to delete or that they should be deleted at all. This includes CCleaner, despite it being fairly moderate in the registry department.
I use NTRegOpt as a registry compacter, which is always safe on my system. Just have to delete all those backup files after a reboot. Haven’t had a need to run it in a long while because it always seems to be around 3-5% size reduction nowadays.
Agree, amazing the damage you can do deleting the wrong thing :o
As you say even with ccleaner and easycleaner great care needs to be taken.
Whats the view on erunt as a reg backup util?
Haven’t used it, but I’ve read only positive reviews. Not a surprise since it’s the same company that made NTRegOpt.
I just tried RegSeeker and it is indeed great. Surprisingly safe as well because of the backup option and after rebooting with no noticeable errors. Afterwards, ran CCleaner and found nothing :o.
Just to prove a point about index.dat files. I have 1681 on my system :-X In addition to the normal MS generated files, they are also created by Scrapbook, which is an Add-on for firefox and also by foobar.
On the subject of cleaners. I use ccleaner, It’s quick and does a good job. I also use jv16 powertools
which is a reg cleaner/manager amongst other things. The link above is to the last available freeware edition.
I agree with all of you too, one should know what one delete!
RegSeeker is very powerful. I think however it once was “too powerful” for my system, as it messed something up (not completely sure though, my memory may be wrong).
That doesn’t seem like enough though.