C:\WINDOWS\UserData on Windows 98 S.E?

[submix8c]

FWIW, as PROBLEMCHYLD stated, you can delete these (as he listed) in DOS mode (F8/Command Prompt Only). Deleteing the SWP file in DOS effectively "zeros" it as it's rebuilt upon reboot (unlike NT-type systems).

Also, I use a combination of CCleaner and "INDEX.DAT Analyzer" (both freeware) to clear/delete IE-stuff and emptying the contents of the IE-DAT files.

Don't know where the "C:\WINDOWS\UserData" came from. Maybe a non-MS software? Maybe Malware downloaded? No clue... (unless you "moved" or "copied" some folders)

edit - Huh!!! (see LoneCrusader post below)

I have this on my "Production 98SE" and it has a couple of XML's (in sub-folders) relating to Windows Update (with IE6 + "unofficial updates" and all other updates official/unofficial, including the latest/last XML). If you really are concerned with them (1kb size?) just "move" them elsewhere and go into IE6 and/or WU and see if they get re-created. Chances are they mean nothing at all (and could have something to do with the aforementioned "fixes")...

Edited March 31, 2010 by submix8c

[LoneCrusader]

I have a C:\WINDOWS\UserData folder on my machine. It seems to contain a few garbage XML files containing references to google.com, yahoo.com, cnn.com, etc. One link that is referenced that stands out is:

www.google.com/IsOnIE6tbPromo

this leads me to believe it must be somehow related to IE6. I would think there should be no ill effects from deleting this junk.

[triger49]

For what it's worth...

Checked the time/ date stamps on the suspect folders

mentioned in this thread. Then compared them with my

Total uninstall logs. Seems I tryed an Email client

called Mulberry., and the installation time / date

corresponds exactly. Looks like somebody is using a

rendering engine that creates those folders, which

could be IE6 .

Jake

[herbalist]

I'm pretty sure the user data folder is installed by IE6 and windows update. Depending on your system configuration, it can be in several places. Check these folder:

local settings, application data, and after any named user profiles.

My FE unit has this folder. This lite SE unit does not. On my FE unit, subfolders in user data contain windows update 1kb xml files. I see no problem with deleting them.

Regarding index.dat files, a simple batch file that runs at bootup will delete them. Windows will then create new ones with sizes that are multiples of 16kb. Most are 32kb. There can be a couple dozen of them, depending on your setup. Some have default entries when created, usually the default items in links, channels etc. The 32kb files are empty. This recreation of the index.dat files at bootup gives the appearance that the batch file didn't work. The originals containing your usage records are gone. Verify with the file dates.

The swap file can be wiped when in DOS mode. Eraser 5.7 has a DOS component "eraserd.exe that does this well. As was suggested, read up on the swap file first. Depending on your hardware and the type of setup you have, there's all kinds of possibilities. My PCs are all dual or multiboot setups. On all of them, the operating systems all share a common swap file or swap partition. Do back up your system before experimenting.