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Deleting the INDEX.DAT file (Windows2000, XP)

The INDEX.DAT file keeps a record of all the web sites you have visited.
Normally you can't simply delete this file since it is protected by the operating system.
However, there is a way:

1. Close all running applications
2. Open a command window (CMD.EXE)
3. Go to to C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 (where username is the replaced by your current login name)
4. Start the Task Manager (Ctrl-Shift-Esc)
5. Click on the Processes tab
6. Select EXPLORER.EXE and click on End Process
7. The screen will be blank except for the command window
8. Delete the INDEX.DAT file
9. Go back to the Task Manager
10. Do File / Run / Explorer and the desktop will be back

With a Batch File

Since it would be cumbersome to manually change directories each time,
it would be very simple to create a two line batch file to do this automatically.
For the example it will be the C:\index.bat file

CD C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5
Del index.dat

1. Open up a CMD window to the C:\ directory
2. Start the Task Manager (Ctrl-Shift-Esc)
3. Click on the Processes tab
4. Select EXPLORER.EXE and click on End Process
5. Run INDEX.BAT
6. Go back to the Task Manager
7. Do File / Run / Explorer and the desktop will be back

Once you learn how do this, it only takes about 30 seconds to delete the file.