INDEX.DAT files?

Question

How do I find all of them, and TRULY get rid of them. I've tried everything, including using a boot floppy (to prevent windows/explorer from starting) then running a batch file that uses "DELTREE" extensively. Anyone have any similar experiences?

Answer 1

The main problem with deleting these is that you are unable to delete the index.dat files of the profile that you are logged on as. The Windows system account holds these files open and they are not available to the user to modify or delete. Even if the logged on user is an administrator of the system, he cannot delete his own index.dat files.

However, as with most things, there are a few methods for getting around this problem. Yes .. they can be deleted. No .. you do not have do anything with the registry.

1) Boot in safe mode
from the c:\> prompt do a 'del index.dat /s'

2) Create a second administrator account on your system that you never use for questionable surfing.

Logon as that user. Use the Windows Explorer search function to find all 'index.dat' files and shift-delete them. The 'shift' delete bypasses the recycle bin.

3) Use some of the 3rd party software that deletes these files on startup (before being locked by a profile) or shutdown (after the system releases the lock).

Deleting these files is usually sufficient for the casual user of a system. Most normal users will not be able to recover the file, if it is properly deleted. However, it is still _very_ recoverable by someone determined enough with the right toolset. If you want to eradicate the deleted files so that they are not recoverable, then you'll need to use some additional file shredding techniques.

Answer 2

Safe mode doesn't work for what you are trying to do.

You are on the right track though. Use the boot floppy but instead of using deltree, use your normal del command with extensions... like /s etc..

Answer 3

You really should not concern yourself with these. The normal user doesn't even now what they are and you really cannot delete them without going into the registry. If you are absolutely losing sleep over this. Check out SmartComputing.com and ask this question. Cuz you better be computer savy and understand what you are doing.
Good luck, but don't worry about it.
Jeff

Answer 4

Like I nver tried to find ad delete them myself.

There is a very nice free software, Ccleaner(! million downloads) , available at http://download.com
which can do that . I use it. Its good enuf.

But i get your point, you want to do it yourself. Sorry.

Answer 5

the question isn't sparkling, you in straight forward words favor to view that archives named INDEX or you want to view contents of those document, what's the point ?? please upload information , one aspect is you could seek for as *.dat to get all .dat extension archives.

Answer 6

links to shareware/freeware software to help remove them:
http://www.help2go.com/postt4025.html
http://www.help2go.com/Tutorials/Protect_Your_PC/Avoid_Web_Browser_Hijackers.html

peridiodic scripting to remove:
http://www.pro-networks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22536

information on index.dat files:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Index.dat