what is index.dat in regards to cookies?

[Jason Shohet]

I used to recall, when i started doing .NET years ago, that cookies written
in js, or .NET cookies, were placed in the cookies folder (documents &
settings, cookies). Now I just see this index.dat file getting updated
instead and I suspect the cookies are held in there somehow. How do you get
back to normal cookies, that I can view, unencrypted etc? Is it an IE6 on
XP issue...?

TY jason shohet

 

[Ken Cox [Microsoft MVP]]

Hi Jason,

It is a housekeeping file for IE:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;322916

 

[Curt_C [MVP]]

are you setting an expires date on them? if not they are memory only
cookies.

 

[Jason Shohet]

Hi Curt,

even if i didn't set expiration on them, but i went into windows explorer --
as the browser is open -- and browse to the cookie folder, it should be
there right. All i see is this index.dat file getting updated. I want to
see an actual cookie... I know its there, but its getting sucked up by
index.dat somehow perhaps?
Even when i write it in javascript (& call it from the aspx page, in an
onclick event etc), the js function executes to write the cookie, but the
only thing i see is that darn index.dat file getting updated to the latest
datetime. I dont see a physical cookie .txt file, maybe they're gone in IE6
/ XP ?
TY

 

[Curt_C [MVP]]

open ie
TOOLS - OPTIONS
Temporary Internet Files - SETTINGS
VIEW FILES? start there perhaps.

 

[Curt_C [MVP]]

Oh wait...go up a few folders. There is a Cookies folder

 

[Jason Shohet]

i know that cookies folder under doc's & settings. Do u have IE6 on XP?
Try writing a cookie from .NET. Then attempt to browse for that cookie txt
file using windows explorer...
I challenge anyone here to find it Its not there. It looks like its
sucked up into index.dat somehow, since thats all thats in that cookies
folder.

 

[Jason DeFontes]

I just did this:

HttpCookie c = new HttpCookie("WHERE_DOES_IT_GO", "COOKIES");
c.Expires = DateTime.MaxValue;
c.Path = "/";
Response.SetCookie(c);

And the cookie file was immediately created in the cookies folder.
Important to note: without the path the file wasn't created, with the
path it was.

IE 6, XP Pro, .NET 1.0

-Jason

 

[Jason Shohet]

fascinating. Thanks Jason. I never set the path before, and the cookie
works fine but its invisible. I'm going to try out setting the path as u
suggested, and perhaps i'll finally see it... TY!