why are there dat files and why are they important

[cleofus1]

when i clear certain folders (temp files etc) sometimes their is a file left over that won't delete easily....dat files...i usually succeed in deleting them after some concerted effort...but why do they exist? and what is the best way to open one up?

[Rocinante]

1. Here are some links that may help

Index.dat Suite is a program I use in addition to Window Washer. I'm no computer expert but these two programs run on a daily basis seem to keep my machine running much faster than before I started using them.

http://support.it-mate.co.uk/?mode=Products&p=index.datsuite

Link to faq that addresses your question...

http://mysteryfcm.co.uk/?mode=Articles&date=01-11-2005

Index.dat Suite is a free download, but Window Washer costs about thirty dollars.

Edited to add-if you have manually deleted .dat files and your computer is still working well you are probably ok.

If you are running XP and do the Index.dat Suite scan you will probably have as one of the results a line in red reading "pc health". It shouldn't allow you to check that one and delete it, but just make sure you don't check it.

[Berserker]

2. More info

on how to view and wipe dat files. I used a program called Spider 1.16 but it messed up my Firefox browser so I don't use it any longer.

Index.dat files allow Microsoft Windows to find Web files faster. It is an index containing names of files that have been stored in the "Temporary Internet Files" folder. These files are usually either Web pages that have been visited using your computer or images viewed on the Web that appear on those visited Web pages.
http://www.cyberwalker.net/columns/jan02/170102.html