Both Internet Explorer and Outlook Express can have trouble with a large Temporary Internet File cache (Index.dat). Leading to problems in loading web pages and sending emails with large attachments.

Clear Temporary Internet Files

Sometimes clearing the Temporary Internet Files cache can solve problems with loading of web pages. To clear the Temporary Internet Files go here:

1. Open Control Panel and double-click Internet Options
2. Select the General-tab and press the Delete Files...-button (Inside "Temporary Internet Files"-group)

Note if having trouble loading a single page, then one can try to hold down the CTRL-key and click the refresh button (or press F5). This is easier than starting to empty the whole cache.

Note if having trouble with outdated pages, then it might also be caused by a proxy server used for fast remote caching. It is possible that the cache of the proxy server contains outdated pages. One can configure the use of a proxy server in Internet Explorer, but some times the Internet Service Provider (ISP) will setup a proxy server, which will be used no matter what, to save bandwidth.

Resize Temporary Internet Files cache

To configure the amount of space assigned to the Temporary Internet Files go here (Assign about 10 MByte):

1. Open Control Panel and double-click Internet Options
2. Select the General-tab and press the Settings...-button (Inside "Temporary Internet Files"-group)

Move Temporary Internet Files folder

One can also move the Temporary Internet Files so they don't cause file fragmentation, because of the files are constantly created and deleted.

1. Open Control Panel and double-click Internet Options
2. Select the General-tab and press the Settings...-button (Inside "Temporary Internet Files"-group)
3. Press the Move Folder...-button.

One can also move the Temporary Internet Files, by using the registry :

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ User Shell Folders]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ Shell Folders]
Cache = "Z:\"

Related Empty Internet Explorer Temporary File Cache at exit