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How to delete
your cookies and temporary files.
Your computer keeps information on hand temporarily so that web
pages can load faster without loading from scratch every time.
Cookies can also be used to fill in forms quicker and track the
surfing habits of internet users. After a few weeks, these files
can number in the thousands. Whether you delete cookies and temp
files to protect your privacy or just to clean up your computer
to run faster, it is a recommended regular maintenance item.
Deleting your cookies and temporary files is very easy and takes
only seconds using Internet Explorer. Open Internet Explorer and
click on "Tools". In the drop-down box, choose
"Internet Options". In the "General" tab, in
the middle at "Browsing History", click the
"Delete..." button. A new box will open allowing you
to delete your temporary internet files, cookies, browsing
history, form data and passwords.
You could even choose "Delete All" at the button, but
your "Form Data" and "Passwords"
sometimes come in handy. If you do delete your form data and
passwords, you will have to enter this information manually the
first time you visit those web pages again. After that, your
computer will remember the information until you delete the
information again. NOTE: Deleting the above does not delete your
"favorites" list of websites.
Windows XP also has a built-in way to delete cookies and
temporary files that I like to run in addition to the above
process. Click on "Start", then "Control
Panel". Then click "Performance and Maintenance".
Then click "Free up space on your hard disk". It will
scan your computer and let you choose which files to delete. Put
a check in the boxes beside "Temporary files" and
"Temporary Internet Files.
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