Index.dat removal

I was looking for a way to delete those index.dat files my and all i could really find were free index.dat removal programs. they all pretty much said that it was impossible to delete them with out using their program.
i figured out a way to delete them on XP pro.

all i did was boot up windows(F8 before windows boots up) in safe mode, log in under the administrator account (not your named account but the one that reads administrator)


then go to (drive):\Documents and Settings\(account name) and use the search function and search for index.dat. make sure that you include hidden folders and subfolders in the search. also you want to make it so hidden folders and system folders are made visible using the tools/folder options/ view option on the menubar.

from there all you do is delete the index.dat files in the accounts which are not in use by windows- which should be all of them except the administrator account.
however once they are deleted, windows will make a new blank one once you reboot.

I am by no means an "expert" when it comes to software, programming, and so forth. All i know is it worked for me and it could work for others. Im sure that using a program would save you some time but if youre like me and dont liek downloading things to solve every little problem, this might be of some help.

thanks

...or don't use IE, and don't have any index.dat files...

Get a real browser!

I guess all of us IE users better switch to opera and forget about those information rich dat files still our hard drives... -_-

what is this index.dat business? some of us don't use windows as our primary os ...

http://www.acesoft.net/delete_index.dat_files.htm



I did have a look at mine once, and lo and behold it really does contain every site you've ever visited in IE. Also, I had to use the command line to delete it because Explorer wouldn't let me even see the file as it is designated as a system file.. Makes you wonder what else is hidden away..

/me puts on his tinfoil hat...

yeah they are also responsible for keeping things in your internet history- things that dont disapper when you clear you history... like pr0n...

The programs that you are referring to are able to delete Index.dat files because they first terminate the Explorer.exe handle on the file. (Otherwise, Windows will not allow you to delete the file because it appears to be in use.)

This must be done programmatically and can cause system instability and data loss.

The proper (and safe) method is to remove the file at system reboot. You can use either the PendingFileRename registry key or the Wininit.ini file in older versions.

I recomment using Unlocker. It acts as an Explorer extension that can remove the file handles and assist in deletion.

Link to reference page

I found this that claims to stop the creation of index.dat

index.dat is a file used by the Internet Explorer web browser. The index.dat file functions as an active database, which runs as long as Windows is active. It functions as a repository of redundant information, such as web URLs, search queries, and recently opened files. Eventhought, you’ve deleted cookies, history and temporary internet files, these index.dat files still there. It only takes a few steps to disable index.dat.

Reboot your computer in Safe Mode by pressing F5 or F8 (depends on your machine)
Login as Administrator
Start -> Run -> type cmd -> click OK (MS-Dos window will display)
on your command prompt type CD\ -> hit Enter key
then type del index.dat /s (space between .dat and /s)

index.dat files should be permanently deleted and you don’t have to go thru these processes above again.