I'm making a batch file for a friend on Windows XP. He wants it to delete his internet tracks. So Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, History, etc. I need to know where all of those folders are in Windows XP, beacause I know it hides some of them in the users folders and stuff. Just tell me where they are, I dont need any help on the programming.
That local settings folder is in C:\My Documents & Settings\%USER%\ correct?
Shea;
Can those folders really be deleted? I'm under the impression that they are protected from deletion by virtue of a class definition in the Registry. Kye-U's batch file to delete them will not reveal any errors, unless you run it at the command prompt instead of from the Run dialog. Similarly, when you attempt to make a folder that already exists, then you get a polite error message (something different for MS! <_< ), but you won't see that either - same conditions as above.
Actually, I think you just wanted to clean the files out of them, right? That wouldn't be any easier, but it is permitted.
And to answer your question about Local Settings, it is
usually the Username folder, correct. However, there are a number of ways to change that, so you're safer to rely on the environment variable, as shown by Kye-U. That way, your batch file is truly portable between machines, or even different users on the same machine.
Ain't it great to be back in action? :P
Oddysey
I'm not using batch code. I'm using a proggy called PrivateCOMpiler from
ProTools in the compilers section. It makes COM or EXE files. It has its own programming language, but its pretty easy.
..::Oddysey::..
I am just trying to clean the files out, not Kye-U's method of deleting the whole folder. With the PrivateCOMpiler, I made it ask for their Username so it can adjust the paths based on that. My friend has some parents that wont let him download music and stuff. Can you believe that!? His dad is pretty computer coordinated and he checks the history and stuff. My friend just wanted an easy way to clear them so I'm making him this. I don't need it to be portable, just for him. If I want to make a portable one after this I'll let you know, but right now, no.
Shea;
Understood about your friend's peculiar problem.... :o
Better take note of this little factoid: If "Daddy-O" is cognizant of History files, etc, then you'll need to be able to select which items to clear. Mass demolition will only clue Dad in to Junior's shenanigans. In other words, leave behind whatever Junior did not do, so that Dad sees what he expects to see.
Good luck.
Oddysey
How can I only delete certain history files? What are the extensions? I only ever see just like
google.com (http://www.google.com). What do I tell it to delte if I wanted to delete for example, all Google entries?
Also this is a little [offtopic] but...
I know how to make a batch file or something run on start-up, but how do you make it run on shutdown?
Shea;
Quote:Also this is a little [offtopic] but...
I know how to make a batch file or something run on start-up, but how do you make it run on shutdown?
Go
here for the lowdown on a special folder called, what else, Shutdown Folder. Stick your batch file, or whatever, in there.
As for selective clearing, I don't have any clue about that. I'm under the impression (but I could easily be mistaken) that all of this is kept in the index.dat files scattered about. There are several cleaners out there, some free, others not free. You might see what they are doing, and try to emulate one of them. Better yet, you may be able to control one of them from your batch file to get the job done. I'd suggest looking at
Shell City, they've had several examples recently, and their Search function is pretty good.
Oddysey
p.s. I sent you to the thread instead of directly to the ShutdownFolder website because ProxRocks has some warnings about it. Didn't want you mad at me for leaving you "uninformed"!
Thanx for the info Oddysey, but I was hoping it was more of a registry tweak. Like you'd add a value ofr a shutdown folder or a file to run on shutdown and you wouldn't need any other proggy. I do remeber hpguru saying that he had a VBS file set to run at shutdown that cleared some folders of his or something. I dont think he said he had a third party app to do it. I'll kep searching Google also.
Shea;
I haven't checked recently, but I seem to recall that you use the proggie to set up the function. When that's all done, then you don't actually run it anymore, you just put your stuff into the folder. Once the folder has been created, the proggie isn't needed anymore.
Or so I was led to believe. Your mileage may vary.
And, FWIW, there is a Lite version that's free, so even if it has to run every time the machine boots, there's no real money involved. That's not so bad, is it? :P
Oddysey