IE11 in Windows 8.1 doesn't save browsing history.

Discussion in 'Software' started by dmb06851, Feb 12, 2015.

  1. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    One suggestion I found on the internet was to disable IE, reboot, and re-enable it. That didn't work.

    Does anyone have other suggestions please?
     
  2. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    I have done that Joe. It makes no difference.

    I've also tried to reset IE and get a window which says "Before you can reset Internet Explorer settings, you must first close all other open windows and programs." Which also makes no difference.
     
  3. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    Just checking you are not using any cleaning application like CCleaner are you?
     
  4. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    "Delete browsing history on exit" box is not checked, and "Days to keep pages in history:" is set to the default 20.

    IE does not save any history at all. Chrome does.

    CCleaner is installed and used often. The History boxes are not checked in either IE or Chrome.
     
  5. Earthling

    Earthling Interplanetary Geek

    Always been so, or just recently? Just in case you are wondering whether this is an 8.1 thing History is working fine here. Long time since I loaded IE - fast isn't it!
     
  6. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    Can't say. It's been such a short time since I acquired the machine I don't remember whether or not I had been looking for browsing history on it.

    I have found IE slow recently. On clicking to open a new tab it has taken 3 or 4 seconds to open. Strangely, it is working ok now, opening up instantaneously.
     
  7. Earthling

    Earthling Interplanetary Geek

    One trouble shooting tip in IE has long been to start it with no add-ons but I never use IE now and simply can't find it atm. Maybe you know how.
     
  8. Earthling

    Earthling Interplanetary Geek

    Seems they've removed it in 8.1 so you need to run this command, including the quotes -

    "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" -extoff
     
  9. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    Ah, thank you. I have tried to run IE without add-ons without add-ons.

    To enable them again would the command line be simply "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" ?
     
  10. Earthling

    Earthling Interplanetary Geek

    You could do that but it isn't necessary. Just start it from the Start screen.
     
  11. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    Ah, yes. I've come across something similar before.

    The command is valid only until the system effectively receives the command without the caveat. Does that sum it up?
     
  12. Earthling

    Earthling Interplanetary Geek

    IE will always start in its normal configuration, i.e. including add-ons. Running it without add-ons only persists until you close it.
     
  13. Earthling

    Earthling Interplanetary Geek

    Is this helping at all? If it's ok without add-ons you need to manually disable all add-ons and then re-enable them one at a time until you find the one that causes the problem.
     
  14. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    Running without add-ons makes no difference.
     
  15. plodr

    plodr Major Geek Super Extraordinaire

    Just checking: You aren't using in private browsing
    http://browsers.about.com/od/intern...e-Browsing-Mode-In-Internet-Explorer-11_2.htm
    because then there would be no history.

    You aren't refreshing the browser by pressing Shift + Ctrl + F5 ?

    Have you reset IE? Resetting Internet Explorer isn't reversible, and all previous settings are lost after reset.
    Close all Internet Explorer windows that are currently open.
    Open the desktop, and then tap or click the Internet Explorer icon on the taskbar. Changing your settings will affect both Internet Explorer and Internet Explorer for the desktop.
    Tap or click the Tools button, and then tap or click Internet options.
    Tap or Click the Advanced tab, and then tap or click Reset.
    In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, tap or click Reset.
    When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, tap or click Close, and then tap or click OK. You'll need to restart your PC for these changes to take effect.
     
  16. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    No.

    No.

    Yes, I have, but have to use the command line to do so (see Earthling's post). It hasn't cured the problem.
     
  17. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    Try it in SafeMode with Networking. I'd suspect a third party program is affecting this.
     
  18. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    Please name all your security software installed and if you boot into Safe Mode with Networking and surf a bit then check History is any saved (note Adryn go to this bit before I finished typing)? if not then try the below.

    NOTE: as some of it is editing the registry, I will advise which bits to Export/Save in case things dont go well.

    Think you may have some corruption in some locations, Win and Registry, to this end try the following:

    1. right click the start flag and choose RUN then paste the following: %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\windows\ and delete anything inside the History folder, you may have to click Tools > Folder Options View and unhide all files

    2. right click the start flag and choose RUN and then type regedit, then locate this key HKEY_CURRENT_USERS\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current\Version\Internet\Settings\5.0
    Right click and choose Export of the folder named 5.0 and save, then delete that folder and its sub keys/content, reboot and try again with IE as IE rebuilds that cache.
     
  19. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    Malwarbytes Anti-Malware (Premium) is running.

    I also have a "Cleaner's Cupboard" folder which contains Emisoft Emergency Kit, SpywareBlaster and Spybot Search and Destroy v 1.6.2, which can be run if and when required.

    No history was saved after visiting several web sites in Safe mode with networking.

    Inside that History folder are two more folders, History.IE5 and Low. Are they to be deleted?

    I haven't executed your step 2 yet.
     
  20. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    Yes if those two are in the History folder then delete those as well (may need to be in the Admin account when doing this) if those files are locked and wont delete then try Eusing Cleaner and run it as admin once installed and run the cleaner but only have Internet Explorer ticked to clean, clean and reboot as some files locked will only clean on reboot.

    They should delete ok as index.dat files that tend to block deletion are not used in Win8/8.1

    Just a quick question while I'm thinking of it, was this install of Windows 8 a fresh new one of a update from Win 7?

    If the above doesnt clean those files fully, move to step 2.
     
  21. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    Those two folders have now been deleted from the History folder.

    It's 8.1, and came pre-installed on an H.P. computer bought new in January this year. There was also a large amount of "extras" - H.P. things, most of which I have deleted, but I have discovered more.
    I presume that it is ok to delete them?

    Step 2 completed, but IE's history still suffers from amnesia.
     
  22. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    If they are applications you know you are not going to use then yes, perfectly fine to uninstall. PC Decrapifier is good to weed out many also.


    As for your Browsing History issue, with all that's posted in this thread its starting to get difficult to know what the issue is and a quick thought from me at this moment while I think of other ideas is to uninstall Spybot Search and Destroy, run CCleaner and its cleaner and registry cleaner to get rid of any registry entries SBS&D leaves behind and reboot and surf and check History again.

    Try Safe Mode with networking and see if after a session on the net History is saved?
     
  23. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    I'm aware of Decrapifier. JV16 Power Tools has a similar program but don't know if it's as good.

    Will do that now.

    Thank you for your time and interest David.
     
  24. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    Ok David, I tried Safe mode with networking again, after uninstalling Spybot.

    I removed the leftovers with IObit's Uninstaller, over 800 of 'em. I then ran CCleaner too.

    Visited a dozen or so sites but sorry to say that IE's History remains empty.

    I wonder if I should resign myself to a few more bob in the swear-box and reinstall?
     
  25. plodr

    plodr Major Geek Super Extraordinaire

    Workaround: if you absolutely, positively want something in browsing history, use Firefox to browse at times.
     
  26. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    What I want is for all my installed software to work properly.

    I must assume that I have, or the installation of some other software has, stopped IE's history from functioning.

    As long as anyone is good enough to offer help I would like to remedy the problem.

    Re-installation would be a last resort.

    I stopped using Firefox some time before acquiring this machine with Win 8.1.
    I just don't like it. I have Chrome too, and its history functions. But I prefer IE for many things.
     
  27. theefool

    theefool Geekified

    So, even with safe mode with networking, and browsing the internet with IE, then closing, then checking history, it is still gone?

    Another thing to try is to create a new user account, and see if this also has the same issue.
     
  28. plodr

    plodr Major Geek Super Extraordinaire

    As we all do BUT, I have glitches on all computers where something just doesn't work the way it is supposed to. Some I figure out but there are others I never figured out.
     
  29. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    Yes.

    Does the type of account matter? Administrator, Normal, or Guest?
     
  30. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    I would try the suggestion as theefool mentions in a new user account and see if that works, if not I tend and this is a personal view is that if I have not solved an issue in 14 days I reinstall.

    Yes go for Administrator account as that will give the account full access to allow you to test.
     
  31. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    I shall create another administrator account later today and post my findings.

    Thank you both.
     
  32. dmb06851

    dmb06851 Specialist

    Excuse the delay, which is due to medical reasons. (I'm half way to 150 years old, damn it).

    Suffice it to say that an additional administrator account didn't result in IE11's history working.

    Once I feel better (and regained patience) I shall uninstall Windows 8.1 and reinstall it.

    I have spent some time on the internet trying to find out how to do that, using the "Recovery Image" in/on what the system calls drive D, but none of what I have seen refers to a Recovery Image.

    Perhaps someone here can explain please?
     

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