Forside > Software > PC Tools™ Privacy Guardian > Udforske
PC Tools™ Privacy Guardian > Online Privacy Insight

Do I Really Need to Clear History?

Do you use the internet often? Have you ever wondered what happens when you visit an internet site? Or what it takes to clear history of sites that you've visited? The fact is, the sites you browse on the Internet don't hang in cyberspace and disappear when you're done with them like changing minutes on a digital clock.

All those sites and files are stored on your hard drive ? in both Windows and in whatever Web browser you use. If you don't regularly (and thoroughly) clear history, up to ten percent of your hard drive can be taken up by useless information. This article will give you a basic education on how the Internet uses history to function, and how to clear history when you're finished using it. If you regularly use these tips to clear history, you will find that your computer will function more smoothly, and your Internet will become more efficient.

What is internet history?

Your Internet browser uses history files to make your surfing experience more pleasurable by making it easier. Have you ever used the forward and back buttons in your browser? History storage by your computer is what enables you to use those buttons. It also enables you to revisit web sites that you've visited before by typing only a partial link into your Address Window. All the files that you browse, pictures that you look at, and data that you enter into web sites is stored in files on your computer. If you don't regularly clear history, those files can be accessed by anyone, and take up valuable drive space.

Where are these history files stored?

These files are located in various temporary folders on your hard drive and (mainly) in your browser's history folder. Doing a thorough clear history can be difficult because different types of history files can be stored in multiple places on your hard drive at the same time. Therefore, even if you clear history through your browser, you may wind up with the same file stored with other extensions in other places on your hard drive.

How do I clear history?

Microsoft recommends that you clear history through your browser. On the Tools menu in Internet Explorer select Internet Options. Click the General tab. Under this tab you'll find History under which you can select Delete History. This will, on the surface, appear to clear history files for you. You should know, however, that this method only deletes file tags and schedules the areas of your hard drive where the history files are stored for over writing. Your browsing journey can still be traced until your computer gets around to reallocating that space.

This means that the files still physically exist on your computer, slowing down your processing speed, your utilities, and your internal searches. A more effective method for getting a clear history is to use a commercial software product like Privacy Guardian that is designed to totally eradicate these troublesome files. These products are inexpensive, easy to use, and readily available online, giving your PC access to clear history in a flash. They also make a huge difference. By actually bleaching the sectors of your hard drive on which these files are stored, these programs clear history in reality, not just in name.

Privacy Guardian will also detects files that are hidden, or otherwise difficult for a user to find. You can, with some programs, even selectively eliminate files you aren't using, and save the ones you use regularly. Using software programs to clear history is easy, and effective. It also will speed up your overall operating system speed, and keep your directory structure neat and accessible.

PC Tools Links