Delete or erase Internet Explorer browsing history, cookies, and temporary Internet files

Posted on September 25, 2007 at 8:53 am

A few months back I wrote an article on how you can delete or clean your Internet Explorer cache by either manually going into the IE options or by using a program called CCleaner. Both of these methods will completely remove your browsing history, delete all cookies, and erase all temporary Internet files stored in the cache. However, both of these methods require several steps or a separate program, etc.

If you’re really lazy like me, then you’ll probably want to install a nifty little Internet Explorer extension called Cachepal. Cachepal adds a button onto the Internet Explorer interface at the far right, making it very accessible and easy to use. This is more practical than using 3rd party cleaning software because you are more likely to actually remember clearing out the cache since it’s right there in front of you. Also, if you are a web site developer or someone who needs to constantly delete cookies or temporary files for test purposes, this makes the process much more convenient.

Once you have it installed, you may need to manually add the icon to your toolbar in IE. You can do this by right-clicking anywhere on the toolbar and choosing "Customize Command Bar" and then choosing "Add or Remove Commands".

One the left hand side you’ll see the available commands that you can add to the toolbar. Scroll down and you should see Cachepal with a recycle bin icon next to it. Click on it and click the Add button.

And that’s it! Now you can delete your Internet browsing history, delete all cookies, and delete temporary Internet files (cache) with the single click of a button! Nice!

If you’re using FireFox, then you can check out a couple of add-ons that allows you to do the same thing as Cachepal.

Clear Cache Button

x (Paranoia) mod

Stealther

The last two mentioned not only clear out your FireFox browsing history and cookies, but also the download files history, disk cache, Saved Form info, and recently closed tabs list.

To add the icons to your FireFox interface, you have to click on View and then choose Toolbars and then click on Customize. Simply drag the icon onto your toolbar to use it.

If you know of any more add-ons or extensions, post a comment! Thanks!

Source: Freewaregenius

[tags]delete browsing history, temp files delete, delete my history, delete your history, delete cache, delete internet history[/tags]

» Filed Under Internet Explorer Tips

Comments

8 Responses to “Delete or erase Internet Explorer browsing history, cookies, and temporary Internet files”

Jeremy said on : September 25th, 2007 at 2:27 pm

In the following paragraph” The last two mentioned not only clear out your FireFox browsing history and cookies, but also the download files history, disk cache, Saved From info, and recently closed tabs list” I think you meant to put ‘Saved Form info’.

akishore said on : September 25th, 2007 at 3:11 pm

Hi Jeremy,

Yes it’s Saved FORM info not FROM. Thanks for the correction! I went ahead and fixed that!

Aseem

Jon C. said on : October 8th, 2009 at 2:53 pm

is there a way to have your internet automaticly delete your brousing history when you exit internet explorer? thanks

sreenivas said on : October 22nd, 2009 at 6:59 pm

when i open the PC and check the folder, it shows huge amounts of downloads (eg.50/80 mb downloaded). How can/will I know what was downloaded etc?

regards
sreenivas

Internet Banking: 10 Simple Ways to Protect Yourself from Online Scams, Fraud and Identity Theft | PLUGGED »The PinoyPress blog on personal technology Says:

[...] 4) Never use public computers such as those in Internet cafes — even the computers of friends or associates — to access your online account. (But if you do, make sure to clean your tracks afterward. Erase the data you might have left behind, by going to the Tools or Preferences section of your browser. Look for the feature that says erase cookies, cache, browsing history, etc. Or check this blog.) [...]
January 13th, 2008 at 4:00 am
Permanently erase and delete computer files Says:

[...] that if you are simply trying to erase Internet browsing history, you don’t need to use a program like I’m about to mention, just read my earlier [...]
October 6th, 2008 at 5:29 am
Prevent users from deleting IE browsing history Says:

[...] previously written several articles on how you can delete your Internet Explorer browsing history using a plugin, delete browsing history manually, or delete just your Google search [...]
December 31st, 2008 at 5:04 am
Bobby Says:

The best way to hide your tracks is to use a virtual PC and browse inside the virtual machine. You can do whatever you like and it won’t mess up your system plus no one will be able to go through your browsing history!
January 10th, 2010 at 2:47 pm