where are previous searches stored?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Al
  • Start date Start date
A

Al

Hi
Can somebody explain where I can find the previous search terms, the ones
that come up time and again when you go to a web page that incorporates a
search box and double click on that box. I know I can clear them
individually as they show themselves, or even clear them completely via
tools menu etc, but I need to know where I can find them in order to view
them all and selectively edit them. I have carried out searches for the
individual entries both from the start button and regedit but all to no
avail, I am now completely flummoxed and would appreciate any help with this
matter

TIA
Alex
 
Hi Al :-)

You don't tell us the version of Windows you are using, so I will trye
generalize:

Each time that you type a URL in the address bar or click on a link in
Internet Explorer browser, the URL address is automatically added to the
history index file. When you type a sequence of characters in the address
bar, Internet Explorer automatically suggests you all URLs that begins with
characters sequence that you typed (unless AutoComplete feature for Web
addresses is turned off). However, Internet Explorer doesn't allow you to
view and edit the entire URL list that it stores inside the history file.

You might like to try
IEHistoryView - View Visited Web Sites of Internet Explorer
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/iehv.html
Freeware

This utility reads all information from the history file on your computer,
and displays the list of all URLs that you have visited in the last few
days. It also allows you to select one or more URL addresses, and then
remove them from the history file or save them into text, HTML or XML file.
In addition, you are allowed to view the visited URL list of other user
profiles on your computer, and even access the visited URL list on a remote
computer, as long as you have permission to access the history folder

or..

History Inspector & History Reader for
Internet Explorer:
http://www.wbaudisch.de/HistoryReader.htm
http://www.wbaudisch.de/HistoryInspector.htm

IEHistoryView
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/iehv.html

Hope this helps.

Jan :)
MS MVP - IE [DTS/AumHa]
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

Replies are posted only to the newsgroup for the benefit or other readers.
How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
 
Correction...
You don't tell us the version of Windows you are using, so I will [trye ]
generalize:
Click to expand...

Sorry, should have been "try to" <dnag splel chekcre>

Jan :)
MS MVP - IE [DTS/AumHa]
 
Jan Il said:
Hi Al :-)

You don't tell us the version of Windows you are using, so I will trye
generalize:
Click to expand...


Hi Jan

Thanks for your reply. I am using windows XP, however it is not the URL
history that I am referring to but general search terms typed into boxes on
websites, e.g. when I use ask jeeves I will find a list of all my previous
searches if I double-click on the search box, and the same for lots of other
websites such as wanadoo, google etc, in fact any site that has a search
facility incorporated in it's page. Even if I delete the whole history and
all the cookies stored on my computer the previous search terms are all
still available so they must be stored somewhere else on the computer and
finding this 'somewhere' is what I am struggling with. I have searched the
web and found other people asking the same question but as of yet not found
any solution offered

Thanks
Alex
 
Al said:
Hi Jan

Thanks for your reply. I am using windows XP, however it is not the
URL history that I am referring to but general search terms typed
into boxes on websites, e.g. when I use ask jeeves I will find a list
of all my previous searches if I double-click on the search box, and
the same for lots of other websites such as wanadoo, google etc, in
fact any site that has a search facility incorporated in it's page.
Even if I delete the whole history and all the cookies stored on my
computer the previous search terms are all still available so they
must be stored somewhere else on the computer and finding this
'somewhere' is what I am struggling with. I have searched the web and
found other people asking the same question but as of yet not found
any solution offered
Thanks
Alex
Click to expand...

They are stored in the Registry, of all places.

You can delete a single entry by highlighting it and pressing the Delete
key.

You can clear the list by going to Tools | Internet Options | Content |
AutoComplete and choosing to Clear Forms. This will clear all forms.
 
Hi Jan

Thanks for your reply. I am using windows XP, however it is not the URL
history that I am referring to but general search terms typed into boxes on
websites, e.g. when I use ask jeeves I will find a list of all my previous
searches if I double-click on the search box, and the same for lots of other
websites such as wanadoo, google etc, in fact any site that has a search
facility incorporated in it's page. Even if I delete the whole history and
all the cookies stored on my computer the previous search terms are all
still available so they must be stored somewhere else on the computer and
finding this 'somewhere' is what I am struggling with. I have searched the
web and found other people asking the same question but as of yet not found
any solution offered

Thanks
Alex
Click to expand...

The 'somewhere' may not help you at all.
They are held (encrypted) in the Registry.

AutoComplete, User Names and Passwords on Forms:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\IntelliForms\SPW

AutoComplete, Web Addresses:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System
Provider\<user name or windows logon name>

....Alan
 
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