Programmatically clear cache in Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7

Programmatically Clearing Internet Explorer 8 Cache on Windows 7

Learn how to programmatically clear the Internet Explorer 8 cache on Windows 7 using batch scripts and command-line tools, essential for automated testing or system maintenance.

Clearing the Internet Explorer (IE) 8 cache programmatically on Windows 7 can be a crucial task for various scenarios, such as automated testing environments, system maintenance scripts, or ensuring a clean slate for web application development. While IE8 is an older browser, understanding how to manage its cache via scripts remains relevant for legacy systems. This article will guide you through the process using command-line utilities and batch files, providing a robust solution for cache management.

Understanding IE8 Cache Locations and Tools

Internet Explorer 8 stores its temporary internet files, cookies, and history in specific locations within the user's profile. Manually deleting these files can be cumbersome and error-prone. Fortunately, Windows provides a built-in command-line utility, RunDll32.exe, which can invoke functions from dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) like inetcpl.cpl (Internet Options control panel applet) to perform browser-related tasks, including clearing the cache. This method is generally more reliable than directly manipulating file system directories, as it respects IE's internal mechanisms.

flowchart TD
    A[Start Cache Clear Process] --> B{"Identify User Profile"}
    B --> C["Locate IE Cache Directories (e.g., Temporary Internet Files)"]
    C --> D{"Choose Clearing Method"}
    D --"Method 1: RunDll32"--> E["Execute `RunDll32.exe inetcpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 2`"]
    D --"Method 2: Manual Deletion (Less Recommended)"--> F["Delete contents of cache directories"]
    E --> G[Cache Cleared Successfully]
    F --> G

Flowchart of IE8 Cache Clearing Process Options

Using RunDll32.exe for Comprehensive Cache Clearing

The RunDll32.exe command, specifically with inetcpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess, offers a powerful way to clear various types of IE data. The ClearMyTracksByProcess function takes a numeric argument that acts as a bitmask, allowing you to specify exactly what data to clear. For a comprehensive cache clear, including temporary internet files, cookies, and history, a common value is 2 (or 255 for all items). This approach simulates the 'Delete Browsing History' functionality found within IE's settings.

@echo off
REM Clear Internet Explorer 8 Cache, Cookies, and History
REM This command uses RunDll32 to invoke the ClearMyTracksByProcess function
REM The '2' argument clears Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, and History.
REM For more options, refer to Microsoft documentation on ClearMyTracksByProcess.

start /wait rundll32.exe inetcpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 2

@echo IE8 cache clearing process initiated.
@echo Please note: This command might not provide immediate visual feedback.
@echo It's recommended to close IE8 before running this script for best results.

pause

Automating the Process with Batch Files

Batch files (.bat) are ideal for automating this cache clearing process. You can create a simple batch script that executes the RunDll32.exe command. This script can then be scheduled to run at specific intervals using Windows Task Scheduler, or executed manually whenever a cache clear is required. Ensure that the user account running the batch file has the necessary permissions to execute RunDll32.exe and modify browser data.

1. Create the Batch File

Open Notepad or any text editor. Copy and paste the batch script provided above into the editor.

2. Save the File

Save the file with a .bat extension, for example, clear_ie8_cache.bat. Choose a location that is easily accessible, such as your desktop or a dedicated scripts folder.

3. Execute the Script

Double-click the clear_ie8_cache.bat file to run it. For best results, ensure that Internet Explorer 8 is closed before executing the script. The start /wait command ensures that the batch script waits for the rundll32.exe process to complete before continuing, though it might not provide direct visual confirmation of completion.

4. Verify Cache Clearance

After running the script, open Internet Explorer 8 and navigate to 'Tools' -> 'Internet Options' -> 'General' tab -> 'Browsing history' -> 'Settings' -> 'View files'. You should observe that the temporary internet files directory is empty or significantly reduced.