DOS for clearing history

 

The simplest way to clear also the index.dat file that remains still is to boot to DOS:

Go to C:\Windows

type -- deltree history -- <enter and y to verify>.

If you return to Windows after this, empty folders and index.dat files will be created immediately. Therefore, you can see the success of the deleting operation only by checking the folder size. For an empty folder this should be approx. 16 KB.

In DOS the system folder "History" is not shown by a normal DIR command. However, the deltree command works in any case.

To show and analyze this folder in DOS type

The first command removes the system attribute, the second shows all (d) directories with (a) attributes System (s).

If you change to one of the directories listed now, you can repeat the command and finally you will have listed all weekly and daily history folders (they are also System folders) to check the sizes of their index files. You can also remove the system attribute for the sub-folder "History.IE5" in History folder:

If you return to Windows, the system attributes will be restored immediately if you did not establish another folder name for History before, i.e., change the History path in Registry (e.g., using History Inspector).

Note: In Windows® ME the history path and name cannot be changed. This is blocked in the operating system by system file protection measures!

In Windows® ME booting to DOS is not directly provided. As a substitute measure, boot with a startup disk and select option 3 (Start computer without CD-ROM support). This will result in a DOS prompt.

In Windows® XP even this method is unavailable (see below)

Alternatively to DOS you can use C:\Windows\Winfile.exe (from Windows® 3.x). This works very well for deleting the complete History folder.