Deleting index.dat in XP

[KevinD]

Hello

Does anyone know how to delete index.dat files in WinXP?

In ME I used to use the delindex batch file but I don't think it works in XP.

Thanks


Kevin

[LowWaterMark]

There are tools to handle automating the deletion of index.dat files on XP such as Javacool's MRU Blaster (see this page (http://www.wilderssecurity.net/mrublaster.html)), however, the key to doing it manually without any extra software is to log into a second user account...

On my XP system, I run from a primary user account called "whatever". I can not, from that account, delete any of its index.dat files. But, I created a second user account called "cleaner" and I log on to that every week or so... From there I can simply use Windows Explorer to navigate into the c:\Documents...\" folders under the "whatever" account, and see and delete all the index.dat files I want.

So, you can take a couple different approaches to handling this problem. :)

[TonyKlein]

If you want to delete your History folder manually, you can simply log in as Administrator, and delete that Docs and Settings\UserName\Local Settings\History folder.

That will force Windows to create a brand new one, including a spanking new index.dat file on reboot.

As for the Temporary Internet Files folder, have a look here:

How to safely delete the History and Temporary Internet Files folders (http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm)

[rozwell]

I just open the file with notepad, delete everything and then save the file. It isn't elegant but, it works for me.