Hidden URL's

[edwk225]

In Windows ME, I am unable to fully delete my web history and certain stored URL's via conventional methods (such as Explorer options and Windows Explorer). I have also tried regedit.exe to no avail. Furthermore, Spiderbite and CompleteClean downloads also failed. Question: Where the heck are these files, why are they still showing up (in my .dat files and on my autocomplete), and how to remove them?

[Daizy]

Hi edwk225
Welcome to the boards! I've not had much success with those either, but have with Window Washer (http://www.webroot.com/washer6.htm) and wouldn't be without it.

Daizy

[edwk225]

Thanks Daizy I'll look into it. The undeletable items are located in the history index file and the temporary internet index file. Do you know how to unlock these files so that the software in question will work properly, or is Window Washer better than Spider because it does it automatically?

[Spider]

Originally posted by edwk225
or is Window Washer better than Spider
Spider is better than WW 'cause he can do it in DOS ;)

Seriously, add this to C:\autoexec.bat

c:\windows\command\deltree /y c:\windows\tempor~1\*.* c:\windows\temp\*.* c:\windows\cookies\*.* c:\windows\history\history.ie5\mshist~1\*.* c:\windows\history\history.ie5\*.*

I suggest you copy and paste mine because it's written on one line.

What this does is on every bootup it will delete those index.dat files you
mentioned and others your probably unaware of. It also deletes
the standard cache stuff like cookies and IE cache.

*.dat files can not be deleted while WindowsXX is running, this needs
to be done in DOS only mode. When you delete a *.dat file in DOS
it will then be rebuilt during bootup.

Remember though if you make any changes to your system or install
something then you have to REM this line out of autoexec.bat
so it doesn't delete important files that may be used, during the next
bootup, in the C:\Windows\Temp folder. Once booted up you
can take the REM out of autoexec.bat.

[Daizy]

Hi again edwk225
Window Washer does it for you. And yes, a heap better than spider. It's got a trial...... perhaps give it a go and see what you think?

Daizy

*edit*
When I said better than spider........ I didn't mean OUR Spider! :p

[Spider]

Originally posted by Daizy
When I said better than spider........ I didn't mean OUR Spider! :p
I could tell by the lower case "s" ;)