Vista Tutorial - Internet Explorer Browsing History

Information

As you browse the web, IE7 stores information about the websites you visit and information that you're frequently asked to provide. For example: Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, Website History, Passwords, and Web Form Information. This will show you how to delete this browsing history. For more information, see: Windows Help and How-to: Delete Webpage History

NOTE

Usually, it's helpful to have this information stored on your computer because it can improve web browsing speed or automatically provide information so you don't have to type it in over and over. You might want to delete that information if you're cleaning up your computer or are using a public computer and do not want any of your personal information to be left behind. If you would like to create shortcuts for these, see: How to Create Shortcuts to Delete Internet Explorer Browsing History in Vista

Tip

CCleaner is a free program that is great at keeping the temporary files cleaned up. See: ccleaner.com

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1. Open the Control Panel. (Classic View)

A) Click on the Internet Options icon.

B) Go to step 3.

OR

2. Open Internet Explorer.

A) Click on the Tools menu item and click on Internet Options.

3. Under the Browsing History section, click on the Delete button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you wish to view these files first, then see: How to View the Internet Explorer Temporary Internet Files and Settings in Vista

4. Click on the Delete button in IE7, or check in IE8, the option you want to delete the history for. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Click the Delete all button to delete all of IE7's browsing history. Deleting all cookies might cause some webpages to work incorrectly. (for example, they will no longer have records of your user name or preferences)

A) Click on Yes for the confirmation prompt.

5. Click on Close when done. (See screenshot from step 3 above)

NOTE

This will empty only the Temporary Internet Files folder when you close Internet Explorer.

1. Open the Control Panel. (Classic View)

A) Click on the Internet Options icon.

B) Go to step 3.

OR

2. Open Internet Explorer.

A) Click on the Tools menu item and click on Internet Options.

3. Click on the Advanced tab. (See screenshot below step 5)

4. Check the Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed box.
NOTE: To undo this, just uncheck the box.

5. Click on OK.