Can't delete file

[PSRumbagh]

There is a file named "index.dat" in my Cookies folder. Looking inside the
file with a Hex file reader (Hex_Reader XV132 2.12) the files internal header
says "Client UrlCache MMF ver 5.2". Windows won't let me delete this file
saying that it is in use by a program or other person. I can't figure out
what program is using this file. I have tried deleting this file under
normal windows, safe mode windows, DOS command and the freeware program
Unlocker Ver 1.8.1 to no avail. What is this file and how can or should I
try to delete it? Is it a master index to the 1312 cookies that are in my
Cookies folder?

 

[Daddy]

"I can't figure out what program is using this file."

Windows.

Index.dat is part of the operating system. It's completely normal.

Enjoy.

Daddy

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "PSRumbagh" <[email protected]>

| There is a file named "index.dat" in my Cookies folder. Looking inside the
| file with a Hex file reader (Hex_Reader XV132 2.12) the files internal header
| says "Client UrlCache MMF ver 5.2". Windows won't let me delete this file
| saying that it is in use by a program or other person. I can't figure out
| what program is using this file. I have tried deleting this file under
| normal windows, safe mode windows, DOS command and the freeware program
| Unlocker Ver 1.8.1 to no avail. What is this file and how can or should I
| try to delete it? Is it a master index to the 1312 cookies that are in my
| Cookies folder?

There is NO reason to delete it. The WinXP OS is deliberatelykjeeping this File's File
Handle open.
Leave it alone.

 

[Karl Snooks]

PSRumbagh,
There are pros and cons for deleting this file. For more info on this and
other index.dat files, check out Tracks Eraser. A word of warning-do not
delete any of the index.dat files. The approach followed by Tracks Eraser
is the overwrite the contents of an index.dat file with all zeroes.

Now let's see if I can find that website for Tracks Eraser. Ah yes,
http://www.acesoft.net/

True, XP will automatically replace some, but not all of the index.dat
files. Thus, one could, theoretically delete an index.dat file and do no
harm. BUT remember I said not all. For Example, those who find that
msinfo32.exe no longer works as expected are paying the price for having
deleted one of the non-replaced index.dat files.

karl snooks

| There is a file named "index.dat" in my Cookies folder. Looking inside
the
| file with a Hex file reader (Hex_Reader XV132 2.12) the files internal
header
| says "Client UrlCache MMF ver 5.2". Windows won't let me delete this file
| saying that it is in use by a program or other person. I can't figure out
| what program is using this file. I have tried deleting this file under
| normal windows, safe mode windows, DOS command and the freeware program
| Unlocker Ver 1.8.1 to no avail. What is this file and how can or should I
| try to delete it? Is it a master index to the 1312 cookies that are in
my
| Cookies folder?

 

[Script]

If, after reading other replies, you still want to "delete" contents of
index.dat - download and run CCleaner with the index.dat option checked.
(It's free, and reliable.)