How do I view "index.dat" file?

[jim.t]

I'd like to view and edit the C:\Windows\Cookies\index.dat file. I would like to know what's in it.

I'm pretty sure as soon as windows comes up it locks this file. Can I look at it without having to setup a bat file or having to go thru DOS to get to it? Thanks.

[This message has been edited by jim.t (edited 06-12-2001).]

[Jonty]

You're quite right that you can't see into index.dat!!

Go here http://www.fsm.nl/ward/ and download the useful utility that will enable you to see what's in it and also to delete what's in it too!!

I was having trouble last year with the history folder not saving properly and wanted to see inside the index.dat before deleting the history. The Spider program is very useful.

Hope this helps!

[jim.t]

Ok, thanks. I downloaded Spider, but haven't tested it yet. Is it WinME compatible? Nothing was mentioned, except IE 5.5, which I have, is still bugged. He offered somewhat of a warning, but I didn't get the gist of it. Are there any problems to be aware of while using this app??

Update: I tryed this app and is does what it says it will. If someone is tracking my movements, their going to be very surprised. Good app...exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again, Jim.

[This message has been edited by jim.t (edited 06-13-2001).]

[wyvrn]

Yes I second that thank you. Previously I had written a batch file and called it in autoexec.bat to clear these files, but got in trouble for it here at work. This way they cannot track me (fits on a floppy).

[Jonty]

As far as I know you can't pick and choose what URL's to keep, it's all or nothing. Why don't you make as Favorites the URL's you want to keep, also copy any cookies into a seperate folder, then just run the Spider to delete everything? You will still have your Favorites and you can then copy the cookies back to where they were.

Jim.t - what was the warning you saw but didn't understand?

[wyvrn]

Bovon

I did not mean that I ran it off of floppy, only copied it there instead of my hard drive so the Software Natzi's here at work would not find it. I copy it to the hard drive, run it and then delete. Sorry if I mislead you there.

[Bovon]

Thanks for the link and thoughts about this subject. I have often wondered about what was contained in these index.dat files myself.

I downloaded the beta version, 1.16 and first put it on a diskette, but it wouldn't run for me off of a disk, so I installed it on the hard drive, where it runs fine.

Now, the help file tells little about what or how to go about deleting files. I did a search, and that returned a pile of data. In the preferences, only the C: drive was scanned, and the setup bullet is in the hole for Windows Directory Only, with the option to put it in a hole for complete hard drive.

Under 'select', the setup check is in remove hidden url, with the options for 2) remove all of the cookies, 3) remove the temporary internet files, 4) remove the history files.

I regularally delete the temp folders under content IE5 under Temporary Internet Files, so I suppose all I need is to delete or control the urls I visit...right?

There are certain cookies and probably url histories I need to keep, as some sites I use require this. How do I determine which to keep and which to allow Spider to delete?. I don't think I have see an option to choose yet.

Any operational thoughts here will be welcomed.

[jim.t]

Jonty
I couldn't seem to locate his warning, but as I recall it wasn't much to be concerned with. I usually exude a little paranoia when I'm about to try a new app. All seems well though.


[This message has been edited by jim.t (edited 06-14-2001).]

[Jonty]

Yes, it's a good utility, I'm sure there's nothing to worry about.

He he, I'm glad I'm not the only paranoid one around here!!!