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Why is there excessive MSIE Browsing history if I'm using Firefox?

  • 4 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by cor-el

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I am running Windows XP (32-Bit Version) SP3 with MSIE 8 The System is Current with all updates from Microsoft & Application Vendors

Every Time I boot, I clear Browsing History for both Firefox & MSIE 8. Then I run Disk Cleanup.

If I'm just using Firefox, why the excessive Browsing History in MSIE? Why is there any browsing History in MSIE at all?

I am running Windows XP (32-Bit Version) SP3 with MSIE 8 The System is Current with all updates from Microsoft & Application Vendors Every Time I boot, I clear Browsing History for both Firefox & MSIE 8. Then I run Disk Cleanup. If I'm just using Firefox, why the excessive Browsing History in MSIE? Why is there any browsing History in MSIE at all?

Chosen solution

After investigating further, I have found the solution to my own question. I see that another person, also had the same problem.

Thanks to the-edmeister. for asking me the question "What type of history is in TEMP?". I just took a look, and the answer was obvious. Also, No, I didn't have the IE Tab add-on installed.

It appears that some applications will always select the MSIE browser, regardless of which browser is set as default. The TEMP storage area used by MSIE, in my case (C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files), was excessive, for the following reasons.

(1) I Checked "Preserve Favorites Website Data" in MSIE Properties. MSIE kept TEMP data on over 4000 of my Bookmarks. Since it was checked, MSIE wouldn't delete this data and it slowed history deletion.

(2) Windows Live Mail, also Downloads supplementary data when you view emails, such as: JPEGs, GIFs, etceteras, into the TEMP storage area used by MSIE. My problem is, I get hundreds of emails a week, and I have hundreds of emails stored in personal folders.

(3) I changed my selection for "Check for newer version of stored pages" to: "Every time I visit the webpage."

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All Replies (4)

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1. Do you have the IE Tab add-on installed?
That add-on allows for running IE in a Firefox tab.

2. What type of "history" is that? TMP files?

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Chosen Solution

After investigating further, I have found the solution to my own question. I see that another person, also had the same problem.

Thanks to the-edmeister. for asking me the question "What type of history is in TEMP?". I just took a look, and the answer was obvious. Also, No, I didn't have the IE Tab add-on installed.

It appears that some applications will always select the MSIE browser, regardless of which browser is set as default. The TEMP storage area used by MSIE, in my case (C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files), was excessive, for the following reasons.

(1) I Checked "Preserve Favorites Website Data" in MSIE Properties. MSIE kept TEMP data on over 4000 of my Bookmarks. Since it was checked, MSIE wouldn't delete this data and it slowed history deletion.

(2) Windows Live Mail, also Downloads supplementary data when you view emails, such as: JPEGs, GIFs, etceteras, into the TEMP storage area used by MSIE. My problem is, I get hundreds of emails a week, and I have hundreds of emails stored in personal folders.

(3) I changed my selection for "Check for newer version of stored pages" to: "Every time I visit the webpage."

more options

After investigating further, I have found the solution to my own question. I see that another person, also had the same problem.

Thanks to the-edmeister. for asking me the question "What type of history is in TEMP?". I just took a look, and the answer was obvious. Also, No, I didn't have the IE Tab add-on installed.

It appears that some applications will always select the MSIE browser, regardless of which browser is set as default. The TEMP storage area used by MSIE, in my case (C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files), was excessive, for the following reasons.

(1) I Checked "Preserve Favorites Website Data" in MSIE Properties. MSIE kept TEMP data on over 4000 of my Bookmarks. Since it was checked, MSIE wouldn't delete this data and it slowed history deletion.

(2) Windows Live Mail, also Downloads supplementary data when you view emails, such as: JPEGs, GIFs, etceteras, into the TEMP storage area used by MSIE. My problem is, I get hundreds of emails a week, and I have hundreds of emails stored in personal folders.

(3) I changed my selection for "Check for newer version of stored pages" to: "Every time I visit the webpage."

more options

Note that is you visit websites that use MS plugins like Silverlight or Windows Media Player that those plugins also use the IE cache and cookies.