I've been a little bit silly and looked at a couple of websites that I
shouldn't have whilst at work (don't worry, its nothing really bad,
its just most companies don't really like that sort of thing). Any
ideas of how to get the photos off my computer?

Hello rai130 and thank you for your question.

What you need is a program like Webroot Window Washer (and there is a
free trial version!)

"Why do you need Window Washer?

Online activities can be traced through browser cache, cookies and history. 

System and application software also store information that could
compromise privacy.

Cleaning these files recovers hard disk space and speeds up system performance. 
 
Here?s how Webroot Window Washer protects your privacy and improves PC performance

Simply, safely and easily wipe clean your online and offline tracks
for complete privacy

Wash away excess useless files that clog your PC's hard drive 

Shred function includes bleach to completely wipe out data 

Free plug-ins instantly detect and clean up more than 60 popular programs 
Custom wash cycles put you in control 

Automatic cleaning saves you time"


Go here:
http://www.webroot.com/products/windowwasher/

and click where it says "try it for free"  (towards the top right)

A 'friend' tells me it works very well ;)

Very best regards.

THX1138

Search strategy included:
"windows washer"  
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&as_qdr=all&q=+%22windows+washer%22++

---

Request for Answer Clarification by rai130-ga on 18 Jan 2005 09:44 PST

I have downloaded the program and it seems to work well - thank you.
Only problem is, when I look on Google Desktop, the web history still
shows those pages I want to delete. I assume this means they're still
on the computer. Any ideas?

---

Clarification of Answer by thx1138-ga on 18 Jan 2005 10:04 PST

Hello again rai130

To clear the Google Desktop Search index, it is best to follow Google advice:

"I need to clear my index. 

The easiest way to clear your entire Google Desktop Search index is to
uninstall Desktop Search. If you reinstall again later, you'll create
a brand-new index.

To uninstall, go to 'Start' > 'Programs' > 'Google Desktop Search' >
'Uninstall Google Desktop Search.'

Once you've uninstalled, reboot your machine. If you'd like to
reinstall, go to http://desktop.google.com"
http://desktop.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=12899&topic=206

I'm not sure, but I think that Windows Washer has an option to click
to clean up the Google Desktop search, which you might want to try.

If you need any further help do not hesitate to ask.

Very best regards

THX1138

Speedy, accurate - what more can one ask for?

Follow the following steps if you are using IE. 

1) Click on Tools
2) Select Options
3) Click on General
4) Then Select Delete Cookies, Delete Files and Clear History one at a time
5) Select the "Delete All Offline files" when you click on Delete Files

This should get you going. The details of the pages would still be
there in the index.dat file, but this requires special software to
debug and generally no one looks at it.

And if you have installed the google toolbar then click on the
selection box just next to the text window and select "clear history"
or "clear search history"

Hello again rai130

To clear the Google Desktop Search index, it is best to follow Google advice:

"I need to clear my index. 

The easiest way to clear your entire Google Desktop Search index is to
uninstall Desktop Search. If you reinstall again later, you'll create
a brand-new index.

To uninstall, go to 'Start' > 'Programs' > 'Google Desktop Search' >
'Uninstall Google Desktop Search.'

Once you've uninstalled, reboot your machine. If you'd like to
reinstall, go to http://desktop.google.com"
http://desktop.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=12899&topic=206

I'm not sure, but I think that Windows Washer has an option to click
to clean up the Google Desktop search, which you might want to try.

If you need any further help do not hesitate to ask.

Very best regards

THX1138

You might also consider downloading adware at:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Sometimes when you download free stuff the companies also download
spyware, I use it and it free and it works great.

I'm a little paranoid by nature so take this for what it may be worth,
I'd come up with an alibi for "carp" on your work computer.  In order
for an alibi to work someone else has to know.  What if you had opened
a "spam" email and it had downloaded some pictures on your computer
and then tried to sell you a subscription?  "boy were you ever stupid
and my Goodness you'll never open spam again......" "but I did
download all these program that cleaned up the mess..."
you get the idea...  Oh yeah, do not mention Google answers...

another must have is a freeware called "ccleaner", which you can
download at ccleaner.com.  It cleans up all the leftover mess Windows
XP leaves behind after uninstalling programs.  It also fixes registry
errors.  You also want Ad-aware, spybot search & destroy, and spyware
blaster.  All freebies.

To clean Google Desktop Search Index, you don't have to uninstall.
Instead use following procedure:

1)Delete all the files in the below folder
WINDOWS DRIVE(C:\ in most of cases)\Documents and Settings\YOUR
PROFILE\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Google Desktop Search\

This will certainly work.

2)Then open Internet Explorer
Go to > TOOLS > OPTIONS > GENERAL > Delete Cookies, Files , History
and Offline Content.

Bye

etymologist