How to Delete Index Files

The index files on your computer, also known as index.dat files, contain information regarding Internet usage and user data files. Someone with a little know-how can access these files and learn nearly everything about the computer's use. Index files are hidden files, so the average computer user never sees them and thus never thinks to delete them. There is a way to automatically delete these index.dat files every time you shut off your computer, helping to protect your privacy in the process.

Instructions

1. Open the Notepad program on your Windows PC. Type in the following, replacing "YourUserName" with your actual user name:
   Del "C:\Documents and Settings\"YourUserName"\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\UserData\index.dat"
   Del "C:\Documents and Settings\"YourUserName"\Cookies\index.dat"
   Del "C:\Documents and Settings\"YourUserName"\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat"
   Del "C:\Documents and Settings\"YourUserName"\UserData\index.dat"
   Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Cookies\index.dat"
   Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Default User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat"
   Del "C:\Documents and Settings\Local Service\Cookies\index.dat"

2. Save the file as "IndexDat.cmd". Be sure to take note of the file's location.

3. Browse to the file's location and copy it to this folder:
   C:\Windows\System32\GroupPolicy\Machine\Scripts\Shutdown

4. Go back to the Windows Desktop and click on the "Start" button. Select "Run" and type in:
   gpedit.msc
   Click "OK".

5. Go to the Computer Configuration menu on your computer and select "Windows Settings". Click on "Scripts (Startup/Shutdown)" and then double click on "Shutdown". Select the "Add" button and then locate the "IndexDat.cmd" file that you placed in the "Shutdown" folder.

6. Click on the file, select "Open", and then click "OK" two times in a row. Now your computer's index.dat files will be deleted whenever you shut down your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Double check to make sure the file you have created in Notepad is named "IndexDat.cmd", and not "IndexDat.cmd.txt'. Notepad may try to add the .txt extension as a default when saving.

References

• Delete index.dat files
• Delete Remove Index.dat Files

Resources

• Email Privacy Tips