The Temporary Internet Folder
The
temporary Internet folder is a directory on your hard drive that stores
audio and video files, web pages and other content from searches you do
on the Internet. It is also referred to as a cache or more specifically
the browser cache.
How Does The Temporary Internet Folder Work?
The temporary internet folder is used to speed load times of the sites and webpages that you visit.
When you visit a web-page or site, your browser stores content in your temporary internet folder. This information or content could be html code, images, audio or video files or the entire webpage. Hence, when you return to the site or webpage the browser will immediately search for the content in the cache. Because of this stored information the only content that your browser needs to load are updates to the site or web page that have occurred since your last visit increasing loading speed.
Another benefit of having a temporary Internet folder is to be able to browse offline.
When you visit a web-page or site, your browser stores content in your temporary internet folder. This information or content could be html code, images, audio or video files or the entire webpage. Hence, when you return to the site or webpage the browser will immediately search for the content in the cache. Because of this stored information the only content that your browser needs to load are updates to the site or web page that have occurred since your last visit increasing loading speed.
Another benefit of having a temporary Internet folder is to be able to browse offline.
Temporary Internet Files and Privacy
The idea behind temporary internet files is great and it does work. Websites and images load much faster.
However, there is a downside, especially if you are particular about your privacy. Anyone with access to your computer can view these files and they remain on your computer until deleted manually. There are programs that can do this for you, but it is important to understand that your browsing history and the content you viewed can be accessed by anyone with access to your computer by viewing your temporary internet folder.
However, there is a downside, especially if you are particular about your privacy. Anyone with access to your computer can view these files and they remain on your computer until deleted manually. There are programs that can do this for you, but it is important to understand that your browsing history and the content you viewed can be accessed by anyone with access to your computer by viewing your temporary internet folder.
Source: Justin Ruckman
Where Is The Temporary Internet Folder Located?
The temporary internet files are located here:
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Low\
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Low\
The index.dat File
The
temporary internet folder is an index.dat file. This is a sort of
database. This type of file is user specific and is open as long as the
user is signed onto the internet. These files or this type of database
is used to store your temporary internet files.
The problem with the index.dat files is that they are extremely difficult to locate and to delete. They are essentially hidden or locked files. This is because they have been designated as system files.
What this means is that you can delete your temporary Internet files, you cannot delete the index.dat files. So unless you delete both your temporary Internet folder and the index.dat files a history of all your Internet searches will remain on your computer.
There are a couple of programs that will delete the index.dat files for you, one I found was freeware and the other two were around $30.00.
Acesoft and Milinincorporated, neither has an affiliate program(so I'm not getting paid for your purchase, should you decide to purchase) they are just two companies that provide software to remove index.dat files.
The problem with the index.dat files is that they are extremely difficult to locate and to delete. They are essentially hidden or locked files. This is because they have been designated as system files.
What this means is that you can delete your temporary Internet files, you cannot delete the index.dat files. So unless you delete both your temporary Internet folder and the index.dat files a history of all your Internet searches will remain on your computer.
There are a couple of programs that will delete the index.dat files for you, one I found was freeware and the other two were around $30.00.
Acesoft and Milinincorporated, neither has an affiliate program(so I'm not getting paid for your purchase, should you decide to purchase) they are just two companies that provide software to remove index.dat files.
Source: Greg Johnson
Clear Cache From Internet Explorer or Computer Control Panel
- Click on Tools on Toolbar
- Click on Internet Options (screen above will appear)
- Click on Delete Button
- Check Temporary Internet Files
- Click on Delete
Clear your Cache From Internet Explorer
Source: Greg Johnson
Empty Temporary Internet Files Using Google
- Open your Chrome browser and click Tools
- Select Options
- Go to Under the Hood and click Clear Browsing Data
- Check Empty cache
- Select Time Range - Best choice Everything
- Click Clear Browsing Data
Source: Greg Johnson
Control Panel Delete
- Click on Windows Icon
- Click On Control Panel
- Go to Internet Options
- Screen will be same as above for internet explorer - follow internet explorer delete
Control Panel Delete
Source: Greg Johnson
There
are many products that you can purchase that will run automatic
cleanings on a schedule. I myself use Window Washer from Webroot. I have
it scheduled to run daily clean-ups during times that I know I'm not
going to be using my computer.
Although having cached information in your temporary Internet files is supposed to speed up your load times, I really would rather have my privacy. One thing to be aware of when you delete these files is that these temporary Internet files or the cache are what is called index.dat files. These files are extremely hard to find and therefore hard to erase and they are stored in more than one location on your computer.
In other words, when you clear the data from your cache, a good thing, the information that websites leave on your computer isn't really gone unless you erase the information on the index.dat files.
There is software that can remove these files, a quick search of index.dat files will locate a couple, free and those that charge.
Although having cached information in your temporary Internet files is supposed to speed up your load times, I really would rather have my privacy. One thing to be aware of when you delete these files is that these temporary Internet files or the cache are what is called index.dat files. These files are extremely hard to find and therefore hard to erase and they are stored in more than one location on your computer.
In other words, when you clear the data from your cache, a good thing, the information that websites leave on your computer isn't really gone unless you erase the information on the index.dat files.
There is software that can remove these files, a quick search of index.dat files will locate a couple, free and those that charge.
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