Index.dat files

Discussion in 'Software' started by Senex, Feb 27, 2014.

  1. Senex

    Senex Private E-2

    Can anyone give a definitive answer as to whether or not Index.dat files are absolutely essential for the continued operation of IE? Some sites claim they are required, some say nuking them will only impact IE slightly (such as downloading files will no longer be possible), and other sites state that the browser will be unaffected.

    After much Google toil I found several methods to either disable or totally eradicate Index.dat - not just erase the content, but terminate the files themselves, and the mechanism that recreates them. So now I need to know for sure if IE can survive and function without Index.dat. If not, then uninstalling IE is a much more simple operation, and will be my Plan 'B', but I'd rather keep IE, if possible.
     
    Senex, Feb 27, 2014
    #1
  2. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    First off I wish to say data security is a topic I follow a lot as where I work sensitive data is stored on people, so the below is not an criticism of your question, as its an interesting topic, so please don't take anything below personally, I just wish to understand more the rationale.


    Why are you worried about index.dat files as you can delete then so a fresh one is created, the privacy issue will only be apparent if you have something to hide or your PC is hacked and a list of websites you visited are damaging personally or damaging to business.

    Some more info http://blogs.msdn.com/b/wndp/archive/2006/08/04/wininet-index-dat.aspx


    If Using Windows 8 or IE10 or later then index.dat does not exist as they have been removed as they serve no real purpose now. Other browsers such as Firefox and Chrome, will also store browsed info in separate types of data files, so your still not safe, your ISP will likely hold data on your browsing history and so on.

    Win 8 has a different method and located in webcachevXX.dat (XX=number could be different per user) and seriously good article on this subject HERE



    What Windows and IE version are you using?

    If your version of Windows can have IE10 then update to that and then delete the locations for index.dat and see if they are re-created. The only way to know for sure if <IE10 would work ok is to try your methods to block the creation of index.dat, I've never tried it as found no need and cannot try it now to check for you any issue that may arise as I don't have a PC with a version of Windows + IE that creates index.dat

    Do let us know how you get on with any test of disabling index.dat and seeing if IE still works.
     
    DavidGP, Feb 28, 2014
    #2
  3. Senex

    Senex Private E-2


    Well, I will be using XP Pro, and as for IE, I've not decided yet...IE4, IE5, or IE7 is under consideration. I'm still researching which I can most easily mold to my requirements.

    I've used Google to research Index.dat quite a bit. Either a component is of use to me, or its useless (and just taking up space), or its a detriment to me.
    With Index.dat files, its about as useful to me as Telnet, or a host of other crapware/bloatware in XP Pro, that I have no reason not to jettison at the first opportunity. There is also enough to convince me that Index.dat is an actual detriment...very possibly corporate spyware (which could also be accessed by scriptkiddies), it slows down the PC, and so on.

    Why would I want to keep it? Why would I want to erase the Index.dat files again and again and again? I can find better things to occupy space on my PC than useless crud like Remote Registry, IRC, and Index.dat. I can find better stuff to occupy my time than the regular and constant clearing of the Trash Bin, erasing Index.dat files, and so on.
     
    Senex, Mar 18, 2014
    #3
  4. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    The Index .dat files are small in these days of GB HDDs so space they take up is negligible at best.

    Why bother and mentioning sciptkiddies just highlights a lack of knowledge in this area as they know bugger all in reality as telnet realty gives the end user not so much info that is drastic for day to day computing.

    It takes up how much HDD space?
    It causes what issues as to security?
     
    DavidGP, Mar 22, 2014
    #4
  5. Ken3

    Ken3 MajorGeek

    Are you familiar with CCleaner? This program with the option enabled will actually remove (zero out) the contents of index.dat files, but not delete the file and among many other useful cleaning options including the Trash Bin. There are options to run CCleaner to run on startup, run and shutdown. Take a look :)
     
    Ken3, Mar 22, 2014
    #5
  6. Senex

    Senex Private E-2

     
    Senex, Mar 26, 2014
    #6

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds