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Does anyone know a free program that really deletes temporary internet files?
I've tried a few and they say they will(and even "show" they have after "cleaning"), but when I go into my C:\WINDOWS\Temporary Internet Files folder, there are still hundreds of files and I need to delete them there to get rid of them.
Lots of free programs are good at deleting cookies, and history, etc. And many say they also delete temporary internet files, but does anyone know of one(free)that REALLY does? And has confirming it by looking in their folder and verifying it's empty?
Thanks
I'm not wanting to go the index.dat file clearing route of Spyder or Rennaissance Man's fine program(a little over my head) at this time.
Just looking for a free program(with a few more options than those)that I can download that Actually works as it claims on deleting Temporary Internet Files(and cookies of course)
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I use Window Washer, which will also clean the DAT files when you reboot after running Washer. It wasn't freeware, but I think they have a 30 day free trial. Don't remember what the license cost- want to say $20.00. Works great, though, worth the money.
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Why not just delete them yourself? These programs are not neccesary.
Right click/delete and your done.
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i've seen index dat...what is it exactly?
i sometimes use 'DestroyIt' which claims to delete/overwrite/protect/etc to US defence standard ****** whatever, but it always gives me 'error destroying..index dat' in the course of the application.
being a 'novice' user i presumed 'index dat' was a 'crucial' file(?) that couldnt be removed whatever was trying to delete stuff.
But, as Peter says I can run this thing, it takes no time to ZAP my 'sensitive folders' and 2 hours to overwrite and remove slack files, but at the end of it I have internet 'history' still left on the machine. This is not particulrly a problem for me just more interested in what the index dat is/holds, and what these washers/destroyers etc actually do.
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G. Gordon Liddy-- Window Washer DOES clear the Index DAT files. The DAT files are in your cleaning options. Requires a reboot to clear the files. Take another look at the program.
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Index.dat files contains records of URLs that one has visited. They grow bigger and bigger and cannot be deleted in Windows. These make some people suspect it's M$'s way of spying on people.
One can delete them in DOS or by means of a Windows utility such as the Spider freeware. Windows just re-create empty ones on reboot.
Peter,
I have checked. Disk Cleaner freeware at http://diskcleaner.tripod.com can really delete all the files in the "Temporary Internet Files" folder without reboot and leave the index.dat files as they are. It may be the free program you are looking for.
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Ref your posting 2. Spider does delete the temporary files, it's free and it's easy to use. Personally I would tick all items, but if for some reason you don't want to delete the contents of index.dat then you can leave that option unchecked.
Of course, for TIF's you can also go to IE/Tools/Internet Options (or the Control Panel) and hit the Delete Files button.
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You can bring up Index.dat in note pad and erase all the data then save the empty file over the old file. When you reboot Windows recreates the file without the data it collected originally. To delete history or temp. Int. files go to the directory with Explorer and use edit to select all the files and delete them.
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Peter the Wolf,
I am slightly confused by exactly what you want to do.
You say you don't want Spider, Ren Man delindex.bat - and that they are over your
head. Then you say you want a free one with more options? If those are over your head, wouldn't more options be more "over your head"?You keep saying "temporary internet files" -
well, aren't you using Internet Explorer? Or are you using some other browser?IE6.0 will delete TIFS + history + cookies.
You click tools. Then click internet options.
There is a button for cookies.
A button for files (TIF) - and a place to check to also delete offline files.
And a button to clear history.That sounds like what you want?
Older versions of IE do not have the cookie button - but otherwise are the same.Is this what you are asking for?
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Peter the Wolf,
I am slightly confused by exactly what you want to do.
You say you don't want Spider, Ren Man
delindex.bat - and that they are over your
head. Then you say you want a free one with more
options? If those are over your head, wouldn't
more options be more "over your head"?You keep saying "temporary internet files" -
well, aren't you using Internet Explorer? Or are
you using some other browser?IE6.0 will delete TIFS + history + cookies.
You click tools. Then click internet options.
There is a button for cookies.
A button for files (TIF) - and a place to check
to also delete offline files.
And a button to clear history.That sounds like what you want?
Older versions of IE do not have the cookie
button - but otherwise are the same.Is this what you are asking for?
sekirt
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Peter,
If you use the delete button within IE Tools, Internet Options and you have more than 10,000 files to delete then you will have to click the button again after it completes the first time. It will delete 10,000 files at a time.
If you were to delete the TIF folder from within DOS which will delete the entire folder and all of it's contents then after rebooting Windows will recreate that folder with 12 files and folders that is the proper setup for the TIF folder according to Windows.
As far as some suggested methods being over your head; you can use one or more of the 5 available batch files offered at Langa's site depending on your needs and/or desires:
LangaSpyder works good and in the same way.
Bryan
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I have a fairly good cleanup program I wrote myself. Deletes Cookies, History, Temp, Temporary Internet, and AOL cache. Email me if u want it (about 92 KB)
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Thanks everyone,
Jon K, that "Disk Cleaner" works good and I'll use it. Thank you!
when I said "over my head", I meant dealing with batch files. And I looked again at Spyder, which does have good options, but I have never gotten it to "remember" or save my preferences between cleans(and have reset them everytime I use it)
Thanks again everyone! This is an awesomely helpfull and participated board.
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Peter The Wolf
Yes, you are "spot on" about Spider not remembering your preferences. You have to whack it with mouse clicks each time.
I haven't tried Disk Cleaner so maybe that's better. I'm currently running Window Washer.
There are a lot of these things out there (free or pay), including batch files.The whole world seems to be clearing TIF's. You just have to find the method which suits you the best, maybe you have (for now).
Derek
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