Unwanted scheduled cleaning

Am using Windows XP sp3 and IE8

Seemingly, there is an unwanted schedule cleaning of personal log-in
information, cookies and Temporary Internet Files occurring in the IE8
browser on my computer.

Every 3 weeks (possibly 4 but I'm not sure since no record keeping to
verify) all my personal log-in information and cookies are being
automatically deleted. Consequently, every 3 or 4 (??/) weeks I am having
to re-enter all my log-in information for frequently visited sites such as
member forums, banking, government, time-and-date.

Are there any settings which by default, or due to recent Microsoft Updates,
allow Windows / IE8 to do this unwanted cleaning on a scheduled basis?

I have configured IE8 to not delete the Temporary Internet Files when
shutting down (see Tools > Internet Options > Advanced tab.)

I have no 3rd party Registry or Disk cleaners to contend with.

I use McAfee AntiVirus Plus as a resident virus, trojan and malware scanner.
It is scheduled to scan my system twice a week for such baddies. It has a
QuickClean tool that can be manually operated to effect cleaning but it does
not appear that it can be configured to automatically run on a predetermined
basis.

I also use the free, manual version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to
scan my entire disk on a weekly basis.

Richard Roseweir
Surrey, BC, Canada.

> I use McAfee AntiVirus Plus as a resident virus, trojan and malware
> scanner.

How long has McAfee AntiVirus Plus been installed & is your subscription
still current?

What anti-virus application was installed before you installed McAfee
AntiVirus Plus and was that subscription still current?

Did a McAfee or Norton free trial come preinstalled on the computer when you
bought it?

Was McAfee AntiVirus Plus running in the background when you installed IE8
and/or SP3?

Have you ever had occasion to do a Repair Install of WinXP?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Richard Roseweir wrote:
> Am using Windows XP sp3 and IE8
>
> Seemingly, there is an unwanted schedule cleaning of personal log-in
> information, cookies and Temporary Internet Files occurring in the IE8
> browser on my computer.
>
> Every 3 weeks (possibly 4 but I'm not sure since no record keeping to
> verify) all my personal log-in information and cookies are being
> automatically deleted. Consequently, every 3 or 4 (??/) weeks I am having
> to re-enter all my log-in information for frequently visited sites such as
> member forums, banking, government, time-and-date.
>
> Are there any settings which by default, or due to recent Microsoft
> Updates,
> allow Windows / IE8 to do this unwanted cleaning on a scheduled basis?
>
> I have configured IE8 to not delete the Temporary Internet Files when
> shutting down (see Tools > Internet Options > Advanced tab.)
>
> I have no 3rd party Registry or Disk cleaners to contend with.
>
> I use McAfee AntiVirus Plus as a resident virus, trojan and malware
> scanner.
> It is scheduled to scan my system twice a week for such baddies. It has a
> QuickClean tool that can be manually operated to effect cleaning but it
> does
> not appear that it can be configured to automatically run on a
> predetermined
> basis.
>
> I also use the free, manual version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to
> scan my entire disk on a weekly basis.
>
> Richard Roseweir
> Surrey, BC, Canada.

Internet Explorer has no scheduled cleaning. Try your other software.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

Richard Roseweir wrote:
> Am using Windows XP sp3 and IE8
>
> Seemingly, there is an unwanted schedule cleaning of personal log-in
> information, cookies and Temporary Internet Files occurring in the IE8
> browser on my computer.
>
> Every 3 weeks (possibly 4 but I'm not sure since no record keeping to
> verify) all my personal log-in information and cookies are being
> automatically deleted. Consequently, every 3 or 4 (??/) weeks I am having
> to re-enter all my log-in information for frequently visited sites such as
> member forums, banking, government, time-and-date.
>
> Are there any settings which by default, or due to recent Microsoft Updates,
> allow Windows / IE8 to do this unwanted cleaning on a scheduled basis?
>
> I have configured IE8 to not delete the Temporary Internet Files when
> shutting down (see Tools > Internet Options > Advanced tab.)
>
> I have no 3rd party Registry or Disk cleaners to contend with.
>
> I use McAfee AntiVirus Plus as a resident virus, trojan and malware scanner.
> It is scheduled to scan my system twice a week for such baddies. It has a
> QuickClean tool that can be manually operated to effect cleaning but it does
> not appear that it can be configured to automatically run on a predetermined
> basis.
>
> I also use the free, manual version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to
> scan my entire disk on a weekly basis.
>
> Richard Roseweir
> Surrey, BC, Canada.
>
>
>

"Richard Roseweir" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Am using Windows XP sp3 and IE8
>
> Seemingly, there is an unwanted schedule cleaning of personal log-in
> information, cookies and Temporary Internet Files occurring in the IE8
> browser on my computer.
>
> Every 3 weeks (possibly 4 but I'm not sure since no record keeping to
> verify) all my personal log-in information and cookies are being
> automatically deleted. Consequently, every 3 or 4 (??/) weeks I am having
> to re-enter all my log-in information for frequently visited sites such as
> member forums, banking, government, time-and-date.
>
> Are there any settings which by default, or due to recent Microsoft
> Updates, allow Windows / IE8 to do this unwanted cleaning on a scheduled
> basis?
>
> I have configured IE8 to not delete the Temporary Internet Files when
> shutting down (see Tools > Internet Options > Advanced tab.)
>
> I have no 3rd party Registry or Disk cleaners to contend with.
>
> I use McAfee AntiVirus Plus as a resident virus, trojan and malware
> scanner. It is scheduled to scan my system twice a week for such baddies.
> It has a QuickClean tool that can be manually operated to effect cleaning
> but it does not appear that it can be configured to automatically run on a
> predetermined basis.
>
> I also use the free, manual version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to
> scan my entire disk on a weekly basis.
>
> Richard Roseweir
> Surrey, BC, Canada.
>
>
>

There is no scheduled cleanout of IE files.

The files will be deleted on each exit of Internet Explorer, or they will be
held until a certain (adjustable) filesize is attained, then the oldest
files will be deleted to make room for new files to be stored. There is no
other "prederermined schedule" for cleaning.

It might _look_ as if an old cookie is deleted on a schedule if you have the
size threshold set to a particular level. the coolie gets written, a couple
of weeks go by and new files come in, and the old file eventually drops out
the back because it is old and the space is needed for a new file.

Good morning everybody,

Thank you for your replies. Seriously, this group rocks!

I've had a look at the Cookies and Temporary Internet Files on my computer,
including those generated by Opera, did a massive cleanup using the relevant
Windows tools. Interesting to see that this self-driven, intentional
cleanup also removed all my log-in information and webpage settings. I've
reset all those (Bah!) and documented today's date.

By the way, happy Father's Day everyone.

I'll be a little more diligent in regularly cleaning out the junk (to keep
default folder sizes small) and look for way in which I can preserve the
specific personal information while still being able to do a regular general
cleanup. (the existing offering seems unable to separate the sheep from the
wolves...and simply kills everything (Bah!)

Happy computing here and elsewhere.

Richard,
Surrey, BC, Canada.

You could install CCleaner on your computer. This program allows
you to select any cookies you want to preserve - and exclude them
from subsequent clean-ups. You can download the latest version
of CCleaner from www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner.

Review the various options carefully, when you install the
program - and opt out of any features you don't require. For
instance, I have not installed the Yahoo toolbar. Before you run
the utility for the first time (and periodically thereafter), you
should click on Options, followed by Cookies. This option
displays a complete list of cookies on your computer - and allows
you to designate those cookies you want to keep. You should also
decide which folders and Windows features you want to include in
the Cleaner process.

Once you have configured the utility according to your personal
preferences, run the Cleaner process every few weeks. That will
prevent a build up of unwanted cookies, temporary Internet files,
and similar dross. If you run it regularly, you will help to
prevent your Temporary Internet File folder from getting too
large.

The CCleaner utility also includes a Registry Cleaner. Registry
Cleaners have been likened to 'snake oil' and have a reputation
for causing major problems. They are certainly not for the
inexperienced and some of them are very dangerous. Consequently,
many contributors to this newsgroup have advised against the use
of any Registry Cleaner. There is certainly no need to use the
Registry Cleaner function, which is an optional feature of
CCleaner.


"Richard Roseweir" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Good morning everybody,
>
> Thank you for your replies. Seriously, this group rocks!
>
> I've had a look at the Cookies and Temporary Internet Files on
> my computer, including those generated by Opera, did a massive
> cleanup using the relevant Windows tools. Interesting to see
> that this self-driven, intentional cleanup also removed all my
> log-in information and webpage settings. I've reset all those
> (Bah!) and documented today's date.
>
> By the way, happy Father's Day everyone.
>
> I'll be a little more diligent in regularly cleaning out the
> junk (to keep default folder sizes small) and look for way in
> which I can preserve the specific personal information while
> still being able to do a regular general cleanup. (the existing
> offering seems unable to separate the sheep from the
> wolves...and simply kills everything (Bah!)
>
> Happy computing here and elsewhere.
>
> Richard,
> Surrey, BC, Canada.
>

That being said, one of CCleaner's plusses is the fact that it prompts you
to save a back up of any changes you're making using the Registry Integrity
module. If you choose to use this module, accept those prompts so you will
be able to undo any changes if need be.
--
~PA Bear

Bob Lucas wrote:
<snip>
> The CCleaner utility also includes a Registry Cleaner. Registry
> Cleaners have been likened to 'snake oil' and have a reputation
> for causing major problems. They are certainly not for the
> inexperienced and some of them are very dangerous. Consequently,
> many contributors to this newsgroup have advised against the use
> of any Registry Cleaner. There is certainly no need to use the
> Registry Cleaner function, which is an optional feature of
> CCleaner.
<snip>

Hello Bob,

Thank you for the reference to CCleaner as well as the hints, instructions
and warnings. I shall certainly look into that. It will be interesting to
see if it can also deal with the junk files left behind by Opera as well.

Sincerely,
Richard
Surrey, BC, Canada.


"Bob Lucas" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> You could install CCleaner on your computer. This program allows you to
> select any cookies you want to preserve - and exclude them from subsequent
> clean-ups. You can download the latest version of CCleaner from
> www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner.
>
> Review the various options carefully, when you install the program - and
> opt out of any features you don't require. For instance, I have not
> installed the Yahoo toolbar. Before you run the utility for the first
> time (and periodically thereafter), you should click on Options, followed
> by Cookies. This option displays a complete list of cookies on your
> computer - and allows you to designate those cookies you want to keep.
> You should also decide which folders and Windows features you want to
> include in the Cleaner process.
>
> Once you have configured the utility according to your personal
> preferences, run the Cleaner process every few weeks. That will prevent a
> build up of unwanted cookies, temporary Internet files, and similar dross.
> If you run it regularly, you will help to prevent your Temporary Internet
> File folder from getting too large.
>
> The CCleaner utility also includes a Registry Cleaner. Registry Cleaners
> have been likened to 'snake oil' and have a reputation for causing major
> problems. They are certainly not for the inexperienced and some of them
> are very dangerous. Consequently, many contributors to this newsgroup
> have advised against the use of any Registry Cleaner. There is certainly
> no need to use the Registry Cleaner function, which is an optional feature
> of CCleaner.

"Richard Roseweir" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Am using Windows XP sp3 and IE8
>
> Seemingly, there is an unwanted schedule cleaning of personal log-in
> information, cookies and Temporary Internet Files occurring in the IE8
> browser on my computer.
>
> Every 3 weeks (possibly 4 but I'm not sure since no record keeping to
> verify) all my personal log-in information and cookies are being
> automatically deleted. Consequently, every 3 or 4 (??/) weeks I am having
> to re-enter all my log-in information for frequently visited sites such as
> member forums, banking, government, time-and-date.
>
> Are there any settings which by default, or due to recent Microsoft
> Updates, allow Windows / IE8 to do this unwanted cleaning on a scheduled
> basis?
>
> I have configured IE8 to not delete the Temporary Internet Files when
> shutting down (see Tools > Internet Options > Advanced tab.)
>
> I have no 3rd party Registry or Disk cleaners to contend with.
>
> I use McAfee AntiVirus Plus as a resident virus, trojan and malware
> scanner. It is scheduled to scan my system twice a week for such baddies.
> It has a QuickClean tool that can be manually operated to effect cleaning
> but it does not appear that it can be configured to automatically run on a
> predetermined basis.
>
> I also use the free, manual version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to
> scan my entire disk on a weekly basis.
>
> Richard Roseweir
> Surrey, BC, Canada.
>
>
>

I don't use Opera ...

You've stated that you use Opera, and it occurs to me that Opera and IE use
the same set of cookies and temporary internet files, and so on. You might
have settings within Opera that are time-based that cause clean-ups based on
time instead of space.

You need to look at Opera settings.

It makes sense that all browsers would share cookies, history, and temp
files, else you would have multiple instances of the same information,
taking up extra space that most users would not want to be taken up. There
is no reason the files can't be shared, and lots of reasons why files should
be shared. I only bring this up because it looks as if you think all of the
different browsers have walls between them to prevent them from using the
same files. Your bank doesn't know or care that you're checking your account
balance with Opera, Chrome, Internet Explorer, FireFox, or whatever. If you
had a different cookie for each of these to store your logiin name, then
you'd need a half-dozen cookies to do the job that one cookie can do.

If you had IE set to delete all temp files on exit, and checked your bank
account then closed, then used Opera to check the same account tomorrow, the
cookie with your login would be gone and you'd have to do it again. Then you
use FireFox to check in a few days, and the login goes well so you don't
think about it. Then a few more days go by and you use IE again, and the
login cookie is deleted when IE is closed because you have a setting checked
to delete on exit.

You could have the Delete On Exit setting selected in any of your browsers,
so you might see that the login doesn't work in IE, and think IE is the
problem. The real problem is the browser you used BEFORE you noticed you had
to reenter your login.

PS
The bank example is very poor because if you ever wanted to retype your
login with every visit, it would be visits to the bank. You probably don't
want your bank to drop cookies into your machine that store stuff like your
login. In the example, consider "bank" as an illustration, not an actual
cookie that stores your information.

Jeff Strickland <> wrote:
> It makes sense that all browsers would share cookies, history, and temp
> files, else you would have multiple instances of the same information,
> taking up extra space that most users would not want to be taken up. There
> is no reason the files can't be shared, and lots of reasons why files should
> be shared.

One reason why files cannot be shared is when file formats are not
published, and not all browser vendors want to reverse-engineer another
browser's format.

Another reason is that browsers other than Internet Explorer are available
on other platforms than Windows, and their vendors want to keep the
format the same across platforms (so that the files can be shared between
accounts on different platforms. I can share my Seamonkey config between
Windows and Linux, when I am careful)
So file formats tend to be tied to the particular browser, not to the
operating system it is running on.