FBI ? / index.dat

Hi All,
My C:\IE6\Temporary Internet Files\Content.ie5\index.dat got
a bit large (over 400 KB) so I wrote a line more in my dosstart.bat :

C:\windows\deltree.exe /y C:\IE6\tempor~!\content~!\index.dat

Seemed to work OK with restart in DOS mode - no errors from the .bat
I expected it to go back to about 32k on reboot - but it's still 400k +
Can anyone tell me why ?
Reading about this file on the net, I have seen various references to
Microsoft and the FBI ! So they can see what urls you have visited.
So how does it regenerate itself after a DOS delete ?
And what about privacy rights ?
regards

 

Sorry I can't tell you the why and how of the dreaded index.dat files.

I use this program, and after a reboot my index.dat files are 8kb. Using IE6 version 6.0.2800.1106

 

Hi Merlin,

I'm a DOS dummy for the most part, and know less about creating/using .bat files, but I did just recently come across and use instructions for deleting cookies, index.dat, TIF's and history in DOS, and I am wondering if the command you're using,

C:\windows\deltree.exe /y C:\IE6\tempor~!\content~!\index.dat

shouldn't be

C:\windows\deltree.exe /y C:\IE6\tempor~1\content~1\index.dat


We need a shoulder shrug icon!

 

As to the how and why of index.dat files:
"The index.dat file is hidden database used by Microsoft Internet Explorer 4, 5 and 6 to record information about Internet sites that have been visited and details of cookies being stored on your computer.

Whenever you visit a website on the Internet; the address, time of visit, images, scripts, tracking cookies and web page contents are saved to your hard drive. The primary reason Internet Explorer does this is to allow quicker access to the site if you revisit again because the contents can be opened from your computer disk drive rather than downloaded over the Internet a second time. Information about these cache files, cookies and where Internet Explorer can find them on your hard drive is stored in the hidden index.dat file. " Source

 

Try this command.

C:\windows\deltree.exe /y C:\IE6\tempor~1

The deltree command is for deleting a folder tree, not an individual file. I'm surprised you didn't get an error of some sort because there's almost certainly no folder called index.dat. Whatever the case, apparently the command didn't work or the index.dat file's size would have changed. If memory serves me correctly it should be 32kb when windows first recreates it. At least that's what it always was on mine.

Also, are you sure your tifs are in the c:\IE6 folder? Have you moved them from the default location? If not, they'd be in c:\windows\tempor~1.

 

A thought. Be it bad, good or indifferent. Or just my eye sight.

Isn't deltree.exe in the C:\windows\command folder ? That is where I just located it in Win98 SE. I do not see it in the Windows folder.

In 98SE my TIFs are now in C:\WINDOWS\TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES\CONTENT IE5\four sub folders.

But before I did a bit ( A LOT ) of regediting they were scattered from here to hello and back. I guess several overlay installs and IE upgrades sort of confused the OS a bit. ( It does not take much )-

BillyBob

 

Also you can open IE.

Select Tools.

Select Internet Options.

Select the settings tab and it will tell you where the TIFs are.

BillyBob

 

Hi all, Thanks for your useful ideas - I think your right about the bad command.
The dosstart command line is as you post, with a 1 not a !, my error.
Zander - yes I moved them and IE6 with PQ Magic Mover many moons ago.
I have had no previous problems using deltree with a single file, but will try a simple "del" and report back.
Miz - I read that also.
Noahdfear - thanks for the note - I wish to keep most cookie files - I manage
them separately with Webwasher. You also noticed my post typo ! I should really go to bed earlier, or take a typing course [both ?]
regards to all

PS. BB thanks for contributing (whilst I am putting this post together I just noticed your posts), and will reply later in full, but . . .
Re deltree - I moved it also "many moons" ago, as otherwise, every malicious
insurgent knows where to find it.

 

Any data on your hard drive can be recovered, unless it is overwritten. In order to be "safe" from an experienced professional, I think data needs to be overwritten at least 7 times (I could be wrong!) The best security for sensitive data is a hammer to the hard drive. I can understand the reason for wanting to do a quick automatic "clean up ", but 400K is a lot of space?? I look at temp files as conveniences, because they let the pages load faster. Good catch, Dave, on the typo.

Johanna

 

Johanna - you certainly do need a complete removal of any data you wouldn't want recovered later by someone.

Easy enough though with the free SDelete utility from www.sysinternals.com

 

Might be interesting to note...I use the last freeware version of "BcWipe" (still available on MaximumPC's download section)......when I use it to wipe dat files it always goes out wipes part of the swap file as well....first time I noticed it, it took me by surprise till I thought about it for a minute ...

Cheers
Jake

 

Hi All, and thanks once again for your responses.
I think I may have misled you on the reason for my wanting to get rid of,
or shrink the IE index.dat file. My reason is basically, the same as my not being able to remove IE. (without a complete reformat)
I am not worried about FBI or secrecy issues at all - I have nothing secret or
incriminating in index.dat and I have no problems with the 491 kBytes it uses.
If I buy a microwave oven, a car or any other piece of equipment, then I think it belongs to me. I do not expect or submit to when eg the microwave informs me that I am not allowed to use this or that setting, or my car refuses to change gear.
I understand that usage rules have to be built into devices we use. These are
normally to protect the device or help secure the user's safety.
But index.dat ?? There is no inbuilt danger to me or my PC if I delete it.
So "someone" for "some reason" is dictating to me again, and I do not like it.
I would be interested to learn from Win 2k and XP users if this a 98 only
scenario ? Of course, you can suggest that I just forget about it, but I am not
usually like that.
regards

 

Merlin,
I agree with you- computers are no more than fancy appliances, and they should submit to our will and do our bidding. I would not tolerate the hassle from the washing machine that I get from my computer!

Try deleting in Safe Mode.

Johanna

 

Thanks for your reply Johanna, I didn't think of that - tried it but no joy.
Safemode is still Windows and Windows puts blocks on the files.
I have settled on an app called Complete Internet Cleaner
http://www.pcmesh.com/
you can choose various Internet and Windows items to clean - including index.dat files - and then restart the PC.
Cannot see any possibility of command lines tho' - so I cannot see
what it does exactly
After a reboot all index dat files etc are erased and show up as 32k.
At the moment it is also deleting the cookies I do not want deleted -
but I can find a way round that I think.
regards

 

MoveOnBoot puts a right click option to delete at reboot. I know it works in XP, but can't say about earlier Windows.

Johanna

 

Well Johanna, I would love to take your family out for a really good dinner !
If I delve into your post and the link on it, you have answered two questions that have been bugging me for years. Many thanks for your time and
sharing your knowledge.
regards

 

Glad it helped. Someone on the BBS shared MoveOnBoot with me, and it has come in handy for me a time or two!
Thanks for posting back!
Johanna

 

If you are worried about the FBI seizing your computer, it's best not to put anything incriminating on it! You really never know how good those ERASER programs are until you have your computer examined by Homeland Security!