How to Clear Internet History From a Registry

You can use the registry to clear Internet history.

Clearing the Internet history on a computer can typically be done by following the recommended process to clear your browser's history. However, in some instances, doing a simple clear of the Internet history does not necessarily completely delete the history. In these cases, Windows users can clear the registry. Because the registry includes essentially all of your computer's settings, it is important to not click on anything you do not understand, as it could lead to system problems.

Instructions

1. Click on the "Start" menu. Type "REGEDIT" into the "Search" box and click on the "Regedit" icon if you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7. If you use Windows XP or an earlier version of Windows, click on "Run" after clicking on the "Start" menu. Type "REGEDIT" into the "Run" box and select "OK." A list of folders will appear.

2. Click the "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" folder. You will now be required to navigate a series of drill-down lists.

3. Click "Software," then "Microsoft" and "Internet Explorer."

4. Click "TypedURLs." You will find a list of entries that appear as "URL1," "URL2," "URL3," etc.

5. Right-click on these entries and choose "Delete" from the menu that appears. You now have cleared the Internet history from a registry.

References

• "Microsoft: How to Clear History Entries in Internet Explorer"
• "Microsoft: Access the Registry"

Resources

• "Cnet: Customize Internet Explorer & Firefox History Settings"