Information AboutIndex.dat |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT INDEX.DAT | |
| windows administration | |
| internet explorer | |
| computer file formats | |
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:Note: ''.dat'' is a commonly used filename extension for a number of different types of ''data'' files (a file that is not human-readable or that does not hold a document-based binary file). Thus one might well encounter a file named ''index.dat'' that is not a part of the operating system or of Internet Explorer. CONTROVERSY Internet privacy groups contend that the use of index.dat files in the Windows operating system is an invasion of privacy. One of their main complaints is that the index.dat file cannot be deleted or erased easily, because it is always open when Windows is running. Open or "locked" files cannot be deleted in any way. Another contention is that the operating system gives a false sense of security. Even after the user has cleared the internet cache folder, temporary internet files folder, and history folder, the index.dat files on Windows continue to store all visited web addresses and cookies and some temporary files. Some people state that this will eventually cause the index.dat files to grow very large, while the average user remains unaware of what its going on. However, Microsoft representatives have pointed out that the index.dat files can optionally be deleted by advanced users, when Windows is rebooted in safe mode. Because Windows is not active in safe mode, the standard "del" command on the index.dat file or the "deltree" command on the directory containing it will delete the file. In addition, there is software available that will delete these files for less advanced users. This problem has been fixed in Internet Explorer 7 . EXTERNAL LINKS
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