Challenge question on AUTOCOMPLETE feature in Search

[Chuckster]

Autocomplete finishes typing previously entered
information for you. Great for not having to repeat long
addresses in Internet Explorer or entering same names in
Search.

In IE6 of XP you can turn the "AUTOCOMPLETE" function on
or off and/or clear the historical contents of both login
name and passwords.

The same feature can be used in SEARCH (outside of IE6)
however I don't see a place where you can CLEAR THE
PREVIOUS HISTORICAL DATA.

I've searched as many of Microsoft's help files as I
could. I am stumped, any of you guru's out there
knowledgeable enough on this feature.

To Summarize: If I've typed something in the text box
while search is open and the autocomplete was on, how do
I delete that information. I turned autocomplete off for
any future recordings, but if I turn it back on, it
retained my previous information which I want to delete.

 

[anonymous]

If using google or yahoo toolbars...they have separate
history. google remove history is small triangle next to
word google on the toolbar. not sure where yahoo history
would be but must be on the toolbar someplace.
===========================================
From various sources....one will be the trick....
======================================
Everything you always wanted to know about "autocomplete"
***but were afraid to ask...!!!!
--------------------------------------------
How to Use AutoComplete Feature Internet Explorer 5 and 6
support.microsoft.com/?kbid=217148
===================================================
There are lots of autocomplete features in XP.
Google history is at the bottom.

Your Outlook Express Password Is Not Retained in Windows
2000 or XP
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;264672
tinyurl.com/7pig

Your Password Is Not Retained in Windows 2000 or Windows
XP
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;259416

AutoComplete Does Not Save Username and Password
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q306895

AutoComplete and Vcard and how they work
htmlgoodies.earthweb.com/autocomplete.html

The AutoComplete Feature May Not Complete Long Web
Addresses
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=support.
microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q175/6/63.asp&NoWebCo
ntent=1
----------------------
Remove hidden AutoComplete entries in History
mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm#AutoComplete
---------------------------------------------
DelTypedURL.inf
mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm
mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm#AutoComplete
DelTypedURL [right-click and select: Save Target As]
Removes the URL's from the Address Bar drop-down list
without deleting the Internet Explorer History.
To use: right-click and select: Install
Note: this does not remove entries entered via
AutoComplete.

==========
Internet Explorer 6.0 window:
-->Tools button
--->Internet options
---->Content tab
----->Autocomplete button
----------------------------------------------
Use AutoComplete for:
[_] Web addresses
[_] Forms
[_] User names and passwords on forms
Make desired changes on options.
==========================================
Internet Explorer 6.0 window:
--Tools button
---Internet Options
----Advanced tab
-----Browsing (list)
-------[_] Show friendly URLs
-------[_] Show friendly HTTP error messages
-------[_] Use Inline AutoComplete
Make desired changes on options.
=====================================
Internet Explorer 6.0 window:
-Tools (button)
-Internet Options
-Click Advanced (tab)
---------------------------
In listing find:
-Search from the Address bar
---When searching
(_) Display results, and go to the most likely site.
(_) Do not search from the Address bar.
(_) Just dispaly the results in main window.
(_) Just go to the most likely site.
Make desired changes on options.
===========================================
In Start 'Search/Find' window:
-Left column pick "More advanced options" chevron
--Slide down & pick "Change preferences"
---Pick "Turn autocomplete off"
===========================================
In Start 'Search' window:
--Slider down & pick "Change preferences"
---Pick "Without an animated screen character"
==================================================
Google toolbar history:
Click on small triangle next to word google
Click on clear history or recent history.
===============================================

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply and although I've referenced most of
the links provided, I still can't seem to find any method
to remove the historical data from my search.

I only just finished loading computer last week and
everything is still defaulted to whatever XP sets it and
I've not made any changes. MSN pops up as my home page
and the window splits when I initiate the seach button on
the toolbar. The companion is on and whenever I start
typing anything which might resemble a previous entry,
the results display.
I know I could turn it off, but I just don't like the
fact that someone else could potentially turn it on and
view whatever I was previously searching for.

I just can't understand how something like this isn't
easily accessible. No problem in doing so for previous
addresses or history in IE6.

-----Original Message-----
If using google or yahoo toolbars...they have separate
history. google remove history is small triangle next to
word google on the toolbar. not sure where yahoo history
would be but must be on the toolbar someplace.
===========================================
From various sources....one will be the trick....
======================================
Everything you always wanted to know about "autocomplete"
***but were afraid to ask...!!!!
--------------------------------------------
How to Use AutoComplete Feature Internet Explorer 5 and 6
support.microsoft.com/?kbid=217148
===================================================
There are lots of autocomplete features in XP.
Google history is at the bottom.

Your Outlook Express Password Is Not Retained in Windows
2000 or XP
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;264672
tinyurl.com/7pig

Your Password Is Not Retained in Windows 2000 or Windows
XP
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;259416

AutoComplete Does Not Save Username and Password
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q306895

AutoComplete and Vcard and how they work
htmlgoodies.earthweb.com/autocomplete.html

The AutoComplete Feature May Not Complete Long Web
Addresses
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=support.
microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q175/6/63.asp&NoWebC o
ntent=1
----------------------
Remove hidden AutoComplete entries in History
mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm#AutoComplete
---------------------------------------------
DelTypedURL.inf
mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm
mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm#AutoComplete
DelTypedURL [right-click and select: Save Target As]
Removes the URL's from the Address Bar drop-down list
without deleting the Internet Explorer History.
To use: right-click and select: Install
Note: this does not remove entries entered via
AutoComplete.

==========
Internet Explorer 6.0 window:
-->Tools button
--->Internet options
---->Content tab
----->Autocomplete button
----------------------------------------------
Use AutoComplete for:
[_] Web addresses
[_] Forms
[_] User names and passwords on forms
Make desired changes on options.
==========================================
Internet Explorer 6.0 window:
--Tools button
---Internet Options
----Advanced tab
-----Browsing (list)
-------[_] Show friendly URLs
-------[_] Show friendly HTTP error messages
-------[_] Use Inline AutoComplete
Make desired changes on options.
=====================================
Internet Explorer 6.0 window:
-Tools (button)
-Internet Options
-Click Advanced (tab)
---------------------------
In listing find:
-Search from the Address bar
---When searching
(_) Display results, and go to the most likely site.
(_) Do not search from the Address bar.
(_) Just dispaly the results in main window.
(_) Just go to the most likely site.
Make desired changes on options.
===========================================
In Start 'Search/Find' window:
-Left column pick "More advanced options" chevron
--Slide down & pick "Change preferences"
---Pick "Turn autocomplete off"
===========================================
In Start 'Search' window:
--Slider down & pick "Change preferences"
---Pick "Without an animated screen character"
==================================================
Google toolbar history:
Click on small triangle next to word google
Click on clear history or recent history.
===============================================

-----Original Message-----
Autocomplete finishes typing previously entered
information for you. Great for not having to repeat long
addresses in Internet Explorer or entering same names in
Search.

In IE6 of XP you can turn the "AUTOCOMPLETE" function on
or off and/or clear the historical contents of both login
name and passwords.

The same feature can be used in SEARCH (outside of IE6)
however I don't see a place where you can CLEAR THE
PREVIOUS HISTORICAL DATA.

I've searched as many of Microsoft's help files as I
could. I am stumped, any of you guru's out there
knowledgeable enough on this feature.

To Summarize: If I've typed something in the text box
while search is open and the autocomplete was on, how do
I delete that information. I turned autocomplete off for
any future recordings, but if I turn it back on, it
retained my previous information which I want to delete.

.

.

 

[Guest]

Auto complete is a security risk,you say that you shut it
off, good, I'd keep it that way

 

[Max]

Chuck

I know how you feel friend. How often would it be nice
to be able to clear the most recently used list of files
opened from a program I have opened that often shows
under the File menu of one program or the other. Its
very convenient to access something I have been working
on but a real chore if I want some discretion and
privacy. You tend to look cagey or secretive if you tell
a friend who would like to quickly use your computer
to "use his own". It would be nice if software
manufacturers like Microsoft would provide an option or a
right click feature where file on the list could be
removed or search items could be cleared.

To remove the items in XP search it you can edit the
registry to remove search items. If you are comfortable
with this then you can follow the following steps.

(Note! Editing the registry can be hazardous for your
computer so you should be careful and avoid making
unnecessary changes. Knowing how to back up and restore
the registry is useful here.)

Open the registry editor: Start->Run type regedit
Look under:

HOTKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current
Version\Search Assistant\ACMru\

There are several numbered folders that contain your
search history as displayed on the right pane.

Highlight the items you would like to clear and delete
them.
Note: I do not know how important the folders that
contain this data is to the system, and can not recommend
that you delete them so you can delete all this data in
one shot.

To clear the "most recently used" (mru) files for other
programs like Microsoft's WordPad you could you can look
for the software in question with the regedit search
feature and browse around for looking for that program's
mru folder. Use common sense in deciding if it is safe to
delete item listed therein. Generally if a folder
contains the name of a file you have opened you probably
can delete it from its mru folder safely.

It may help if, as you find mru's that are safe to edit
that you add them to the registry editor favorites
(Favorites->Add to favorites). This would make it easy to
return to these areas to clear as the need arises.

To clear the autocomplete history that appears in web
page forms and search menu's you can from IE6 menu: Tools-

Internet Options->Content; Click Auto Complete and

click on "Clear Forms". Note: some website search
features keep a list of your search requests on a cookie
on your computer. Deleting cookies may also be of help
here.

There are very likely other registry hacks that can do
these task more efficiently but I have never bothered to
find out how. You may check Kelly's corner for better
methods of doing these tasks.

You can also get software that would likely clear your
search history more conveniently however, I have never
looked any up so I can not recommend any.

Max

-----Original Message-----

Thanks for the reply and although I've referenced most of
the links provided, I still can't seem to find any method
to remove the historical data from my search.

I only just finished loading computer last week and
everything is still defaulted to whatever XP sets it and
I've not made any changes. MSN pops up as my home page
and the window splits when I initiate the seach button on
the toolbar. The companion is on and whenever I start
typing anything which might resemble a previous entry,
the results display.
I know I could turn it off, but I just don't like the
fact that someone else could potentially turn it on and
view whatever I was previously searching for.

I just can't understand how something like this isn't
easily accessible. No problem in doing so for previous
addresses or history in IE6.

-----Original Message-----
If using google or yahoo toolbars...they have separate
history. google remove history is small triangle next to
word google on the toolbar. not sure where yahoo history
would be but must be on the toolbar someplace.
===========================================
From various sources....one will be the trick....
======================================
Everything you always wanted to know about "autocomplete"
***but were afraid to ask...!!!!
--------------------------------------------
How to Use AutoComplete Feature Internet Explorer 5 and 6
support.microsoft.com/?kbid=217148
===================================================
There are lots of autocomplete features in XP.
Google history is at the bottom.

Your Outlook Express Password Is Not Retained in Windows
2000 or XP
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;264672
tinyurl.com/7pig

Your Password Is Not Retained in Windows 2000 or Windows
XP
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;259416

AutoComplete Does Not Save Username and Password
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q306895

AutoComplete and Vcard and how they work
htmlgoodies.earthweb.com/autocomplete.html

The AutoComplete Feature May Not Complete Long Web
Addresses
support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=support.
microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q175/6/63.asp&NoWeb

C

o
ntent=1
----------------------
Remove hidden AutoComplete entries in History
mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm#AutoComplete
---------------------------------------------
DelTypedURL.inf
mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm
mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm#AutoComplete
DelTypedURL [right-click and select: Save Target As]
Removes the URL's from the Address Bar drop-down list
without deleting the Internet Explorer History.
To use: right-click and select: Install
Note: this does not remove entries entered via
AutoComplete.

==========
Internet Explorer 6.0 window:
-->Tools button
--->Internet options
---->Content tab
----->Autocomplete button
----------------------------------------------
Use AutoComplete for:
[_] Web addresses
[_] Forms
[_] User names and passwords on forms
Make desired changes on options.
==========================================
Internet Explorer 6.0 window:
--Tools button
---Internet Options
----Advanced tab
-----Browsing (list)
-------[_] Show friendly URLs
-------[_] Show friendly HTTP error messages
-------[_] Use Inline AutoComplete
Make desired changes on options.
=====================================
Internet Explorer 6.0 window:
-Tools (button)
-Internet Options
-Click Advanced (tab)
---------------------------
In listing find:
-Search from the Address bar
---When searching
(_) Display results, and go to the most likely site.
(_) Do not search from the Address bar.
(_) Just dispaly the results in main window.
(_) Just go to the most likely site.
Make desired changes on options.
===========================================
In Start 'Search/Find' window:
-Left column pick "More advanced options" chevron
--Slide down & pick "Change preferences"
---Pick "Turn autocomplete off"
===========================================
In Start 'Search' window:
--Slider down & pick "Change preferences"
---Pick "Without an animated screen character"
==================================================
Google toolbar history:
Click on small triangle next to word google
Click on clear history or recent history.
===============================================

-----Original Message-----
Autocomplete finishes typing previously entered
information for you. Great for not having to repeat long
addresses in Internet Explorer or entering same names in
Search.

In IE6 of XP you can turn the "AUTOCOMPLETE" function on
or off and/or clear the historical contents of both login
name and passwords.

The same feature can be used in SEARCH (outside of IE6)
however I don't see a place where you can CLEAR THE
PREVIOUS HISTORICAL DATA.

I've searched as many of Microsoft's help files as I
could. I am stumped, any of you guru's out there
knowledgeable enough on this feature.

To Summarize: If I've typed something in the text box
while search is open and the autocomplete was on, how do
I delete that information. I turned autocomplete off for
any future recordings, but if I turn it back on, it
retained my previous information which I want to delete.

.

.

.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Chuck

I know how you feel friend. How often would it be nice
to be able to clear the most recently used list of files
opened from a program I have opened that often shows
under the File menu of one program or the other. Its
very convenient to access something I have been working
on but a real chore if I want some discretion and
privacy. You tend to look cagey or secretive if you tell
a friend who would like to quickly use your computer
to "use his own". It would be nice if software
manufacturers like Microsoft would provide an option or a
right click feature where file on the list could be
removed or search items could be cleared.

To remove the items in XP search it you can edit the
registry to remove search items. If you are comfortable
with this then you can follow the following steps.

(Note! Editing the registry can be hazardous for your
computer so you should be careful and avoid making
unnecessary changes. Knowing how to back up and restore
the registry is useful here.)

Open the registry editor: Start->Run type regedit
Look under:

HOTKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current
Version\Search Assistant\ACMru\

There are several numbered folders that contain your
search history as displayed on the right pane.

Highlight the items you would like to clear and delete
them.
Note: I do not know how important the folders that
contain this data is to the system, and can not recommend
that you delete them so you can delete all this data in
one shot.

To clear the "most recently used" (mru) files for other
programs like Microsoft's WordPad you could you can look
for the software in question with the regedit search
feature and browse around for looking for that program's
mru folder. Use common sense in deciding if it is safe to
delete item listed therein. Generally if a folder
contains the name of a file you have opened you probably
can delete it from its mru folder safely.

It may help if, as you find mru's that are safe to edit
that you add them to the registry editor favorites
(Favorites->Add to favorites). This would make it easy to
return to these areas to clear as the need arises.

To clear the autocomplete history that appears in web
page forms and search menu's you can from IE6 menu: Tools-
click on "Clear Forms". Note: some website search
features keep a list of your search requests on a cookie
on your computer. Deleting cookies may also be of help
here.

There are very likely other registry hacks that can do
these task more efficiently but I have never bothered to
find out how. You may check Kelly's corner for better
methods of doing these tasks.

You can also get software that would likely clear your
search history more conveniently however, I have never
looked any up so I can not recommend any.

Max

MVP Kelly has a nice little utility that will accomplish this easily.

Go to her website at the following address and look on Line 24, right
column, Click the "Clear Search History under Search" link and download the
exe file. There are 8 different histories you can delete with a click.

Troubleshooting Windows XP, Tweaks and Fixes for Windows XP:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

Please reply to the newsgroup so all may benefit.