How To Clear The Internet Explorer Browser History

Microsoft Internet Explorer keeps a record of all of the web sites you have visited. Spyware objects that infect your computer from the web and other sources will sometimes steal this data. It is then used to profile your browsing history. The worst part is spyware can be hard to detect without the right programs.

One safe habit is routinely deleting the list will help to make sure you don't leave a trail laying around for intrusive advertising companies to find. Here are the steps for clearing the Internet Explorer browser history.

1) Click "Start"

2) Click "Control Panel"

3) Double-click "Internet Options"

4) When the "Internet Options" window opens, click the "General" tab if you are not there already.

5) Under "Browsing history" click the "Delete" button, this will open the "Delete Browsing History" window.

6) This window allows you to clear on types of data at a time, or to erase the entire history at once. The different types of data you can clear are "Temporary Internet Files", "Cookies", "History", "Form Data", and "Passwords".

It is highly recommended that "Temporary Internet Files", "Cookies" and "History" are cleared at the least. If only these three are deleted, IE will still save passwords and information you have entered into forms on the web.

To clear all data instead of individual selections, simply click the "Delete all..." button near the bottom. When a window opens asking you to confirm, click "Yes".

7) When you are back at the "Internet Properties" window, click "OK" and you are finished.