Clean up disk to improve online privacy

By MICHAEL FOREMAN

Most index.dat files and other temporary internet files can be cleared by normal Windows commands, although index.dat and other files in Windows/Temporary Internet Files/Content.IE5 need special treatment.

The following instructions will work on most Windows versions, however Windows NT and Windows 2000 may store the files in different locations.

Before doing anything else we recommend running the Windows Disk Cleanup utility. Click on Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Cleanup. This does not remove index.dat or other files in the Content.IE5 folder but it will safely delete many other temporary or non-critical files.

For further help on removing index.dat and old web-based e-mails, phone Microsoft Customer Services on (09) 357-5576.

Removing hidden files in Windows Safe Mode

Restart your computer by clicking on Start/Shutdown/Restart. When you see the message "Windows is starting" or the manufacturer's logo, press F8 (topmost row on keyboard). Select Start Windows in Safe Mode (Option 3 in Windows 98).

When Windows has loaded, right click on Start. Click Explore to launch Windows Explorer. Click on View (from the menu that runs along the top of the window).

Click on Folder Options. In the Folder Options tab, click on View. Underneath the folder marked Hidden Files, click on the Show all files button. Click OK.

In the left hand pane of Windows Explorer, click on the small plus '+' characters next to the following folders in turn: My Computer/(C:)/Windows/Temporary Internet Files/Content.IE5 In the left hand pane you should now see the file index.dat and a number of folders with alphanumeric names such as '7gfwj1eb' or 'O10734xv'.

Right click on index.dat, click Delete. Click OK to any system messages. Right click on Recycle Bin, then click on Empty Recycle Bin.

Now click on each alphanumeric folder and delete following the procedure above.

When you have finished, restart your computer and normal Windows operation will be restored.

Removing hidden files in Dos (for advanced users only)

Restart in Dos mode by pressing F8 during start up. Select 'Command prompt only' and type in these lines, pressing the 'Enter' key after each line.

CD WINDOWS\TEMPOR~1

DELTREE/Y CONTENT.IE5

Warning: the Deltree command may take several hours to process depending on how much web activity has been recorded.

When you have finished, type Exit, then press the Enter key to be returned to Windows.

Utilities

Spider 1.16

This freeware program is useful for finding index.dat files and other temporary files on your system.

HistoryKill 2001

This commercial program securely deletes index.dat files, AutoComplete entries, and selectively removes Cookie files.

Window Washer

Automatic cleaning of browser caches and other temporary system files.

BCWipe

Deletes and "shreds" files.

Evidence Eliminator

Securely deletes web caches and history files.

Complete Cleanup

Deletes cookies, cache, web history etc.

Cyberscrub

Shareware program that deletes and securely "wipes" files.

Langa.com

Free Dos batch files to clean up temporary internet files.

Fix IE's Leaky Cache

Clears temporary files while you are online.

Alternative web browsers

Netscape

Opera