How to Disable History Delete in Internet Explorer Using Regedit

Clearing your browser history is very useful when you wish to keep your browsing history private. But this also means other people who use your computer—such as children—can keep their Internet activity secret from you. A small modification to your Windows configuration can remove the ability for people to clean their tracks after using your computer.

Instructions

Windows 7 (Internet Explorer 8)

1. Click on “Start” and select the “Search Programs and Files” box. Type in “gpedit.msc” then select it when it shows up.

2. From the left panel expand “User Configurations”>“Administrative Templates”>“Windows Components”>“Internet Explorer."

3. Expand the folder “Delete Browsing History” and choose “Turn off Delete Browsing History Functionality." Double-click it and select 'Enabled."

4. Click “OK.” The “Delete” button will now be disabled from the Internet Options pane in Internet Explorer 8.

Windows XP (Internet Explorer 6 + 7)

1. Click “Start” and then “Run.” Type in “regedit” and press enter.

2. Click “HKEY_CURRENT_USER” on the left-hand pane to expand it. Then “Software,” “Policies,” “Microsoft,” “Internet Explorer,” “Control Panel.”

3. Click on ‘History’ in the right-hand pane and change its value to “1.” If there is no "History" entry listed then right-click on the window and select “New” and then “DWORD value.” Give it the name “History” and set it to “1."

4. Reload Internet Explorer, and the "Clear History" button will be disabled from "Internet Options."

References

• Z Hacks: Remove or Disable Delete Browsing History Button in Internet Explorer 8 at Windows 7
• Tech Junkeez: Disable IE’s “Clear History” in Windows XP

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish