Auto-complete? (XPP)

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When saving a file to ‘My Documents’, I noticed when I begin entering characters, a drop down box appears (auto-complete?) with entries of previously saved files beginning with same letters and some of these are very old.

Now what baffles me is that I regularly dump the auto-complete cache and also run EraserTracks Pro & Window Washer semi-regularly and yet these previous entries remain.

Is this separate from the auto-complete? Where does this cache reside?

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Bruce–
Does this KB on Autocomplete help–have you Options>Content Tab>Auto Complete>Clear –will that get auto complete at My Documents?

This download Privacy Protector erases the recently opened documents list–won’t this do it for you?

Is there a registry setting that will set it to clear at a certain time? Could you modify the registry to clear it then and change the key back if you wanted to begin saving auto complete in the pull down in My Documents?

H_Key_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerUseAutocomplete–default value “yes.” Do you want auto-complete on there? You could turn it off here or uncheck the boxes in the IE dialogue box.

I guess that clearing auto-complete at IE erases the index.dat file, but I don’t know if that will get the recently listed documents dropdown–but the download above will in XP.

Info on Registry sources for Auto Complete are here. Isn’t there a way to set the timing by modifying the registry or making a shortcut/batchfile that would automatically clear my documents auto complete if clearing it at IE at the Auto-Complete dialog box doesn’t do it?
If this info doesn’t help, how about Auto Complete Won’t Clear–How to fix that bug quick ?

defrag

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Well, Frag, there was some good info here. What I learned is that AutoComplete is tied in to IE and the web almost exclusively. Now that isn’t a problem as I can clear that with little or no effort.

Now my MRU/Opened caches, wherever they reside, are cleared just as easily. It appears though that my situation falls in to this category as it drop-down box appears when I save a file. The names of the Saved files are quite old, so they have been there the whole time and must reside in another location from the MRU/Opened file caches.

Clearing the AutoComplete clears the cache, but does not delete the index.dat. Other progz delete the index.dat as well as the cache while others leave the index.dat intact.

I downloaded the Spider app which found the all resident index.dats that I found with the OS Search and it removed them, but did not clear the cache. This removed any IE references, but did not modify any of the Saved items brought up in the drop-down box during a file save.

Privacy Protector was the only site among the ones you & I have googled thus far to mention “Open/Save History Windows records you opened and saved files list in registry” specifically, so I think I will gravitate towards that rather than AutoComplete in researching this.

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No luck finding any reference to deleting ‘Save History’. Anyone know where this cache resides or where the key is in the reg?

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Bruce, Did you try a full registry search for one of the files?

Joe

--Joe

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Are you trying to clear the “AutoComplete” and “History” which is part of IE or the “Recent Documents” which is part of the OS?
The recent document links can be found by doing a Windows search on “recent” and you will file them in sevral places. Even some new programs have them within their own folders. I think this is what you are see when files are appearing in the save or open listing of a program.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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I did do a registry search of various versions of the named files in the drop down list and there were no hits. Searching the registry turned up may types of recent lists, much of it binary, so nothing apparent to me.

I have no problem clearing the AutoComplete, History, or Recent Documents. This is not an IE related issue. I have plug-ins for all my progz that clear their own MRU caches. This is not what I am seeing in the drop down box. This is clear after running a cache-clearing app and double checking the reg app cache and verifying it is empty, for example, .docs and .pdfs. Regardless of the file type I save, the OS seems to be holding a cache of previously entered filenames with similar starts. I recognize some of these as being quite old. The Open history doesn’t seem to be a presence, just the Save history. Please see screenshot below.

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Bruce, The ‘save as’ function is doing a search for you. If you add a couple more letters your list will get shorter as fewer and fewer files match the first letters you’ve entered.

Joe

--Joe

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Hi, Joe ~

Yes I am aware of what this little function is doing, but the more files I save the longer the list gets as I rarely use the same names the ‘save as’ drop down box saves for me. I would like to just clear it from time to time.

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Bruce,

From the Internet Options control panel applet (or Tools – Internet Options while in IE), click over to the Advanced tab. Clear the checkmark next to “Inline Autocomplete” and see if that does it for you.

Is this causing some kind of major performance issue? I’ve always found it exceptionally helpful, and wondered why it took Microsoft so long to implement it. Then again….I am a command line junkie so maybe that’s why.

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Hi, Mark ~

I do not use the “Inline Autocomplete”. Unfortunately, the ‘save as’ history is not a function of IE. No, it is not causing any performance issues, but it is an annoyance as the list continues to grow and is always in my face everytime I save something. I can see it’s use perhaps, but I don’t think I have ever really used it as I don’t ‘save as’ files with names that I have already used in this dialogue box. And the other reason is that there are items in there so old and don’t need to be seen that I don’t wish to end up being questioned about the quick movements in the grassy knoll!

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the ‘save as’ history is not a function of IE

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[/indent]If you think the Windows shell and IE are two separate entities, particularly in Windows XP, you’re not using the same product I am. You’d be surprised how many little “features” and “functions” are directly the result of Internet Explorer. Have you checked to see if that box has a checkmark in it?

Maybe it’s a matter of learning to live with it or better yet, learning to use it to your advantage. What works for me is using keystrokes. I can use the arrows to scroll and select the directory. I can tape out a few letters and arrow down. Repeat the process until you land in the target directory. If the filename is incorrect, press SHIFT+END to select that portion and then press the delete key.

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the other reason is that there are items in there so old and don’t need to be seen

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[/indent]If they don’t need to be seen, move them or delete the ones that you don’t need. Clutter reduction is the user’s responsibility.[indent]

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I don’t wish to end up being questioned about the quick movements in the grassy knoll!

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[/indent]Can’t help you there, that sounds an awful lot like paranoia.

Now that I’ve ranted and railed, take a look at the attached screen shot. If you haven’t installed TweakUI for XP, then you really should. Better than hacking the registry. Change this setting, and your “problem” should go away.

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Mark, are you using threaded mode or flat mode? The inline box is definitely cleared. Two pieces of software clear all the auto, inline, temp, history & index.dats, etc. of IE.

I am with you 110% on the many little “features” and “functions” & IE, but I came to that conclusion on this item as sites mentioned previously in this thread indicate just that. Mind you, I was in thought where you are, but after a series of events I am beginning to believe otherwise. So far we are not factually sure either way.

The keyboard vs. mouse is not related here. I value the same method you describe, but here that function is a non-function. Let me explain: Per my screenshot above if I type in, ohhh, say “ArchiveScripting.doc”, immediately all the “A’s” would pop up and of course, work their way down as you type. But, c’mon, think about it….you rarely would be typing a name of a previously named & existing file in the ‘save as’ dialogue box. I would probably never name another file “AccessSystemVolumeInfo.txt” when one exists (and thus the save history in drop down) and if you were inside of the “AccessSystemVolumeInfo.txt” document for editing, you would simply Ctrl+S, right? and not do a ‘save as’. I seriously doubt you actually use names stored in the ‘save as’ drop down box with which to name files.

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If they don’t need to be seen, move them or delete the ones that you don’t need. Clutter reduction is the user’s responsibility.

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[/indent]Uhhhhhh….Mark….this is exactly what I am trying to do – reduce the annoying clutter. Are you suggesting we delete the info we can’t find a way to delete?

(The grassy knoll, you know, Dallas, 1963?? Perhaps my humor is too wry & dry, but this was only shortly before our time.)

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Bruce, Repeating what I posted earlier. This is not a saved list. It is the result of a search or matching names by the letters entered (whatever you want to call it). I don’t know how to turn it off. If you want the list shorter the only way I know is to move the older files to a different folder. I tried this on a folder on our network in which I normally do not save files. Observed the same behavior as you.

Joe

--Joe

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[indent]

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(The grassy knoll, you know, Dallas, 1963?? Perhaps my humor is too wry & dry, but this was only shortly before our time.)

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[/indent]Even a 30 year-old Canadian can understand that reference, Bruce, but unfortunately my understanding of the definition of the word humor differs from yours – I look for something funny in what’s said. Perhaps this was another of your unintended malapropisms.

That aside, this particular autocomplete function serves more purposes that to just “clutter” the FileName dialog box in the “Save As” dialog – this functionality is shared in the Open dialog, which is very useful when you have a long list of file names in the subfolder you are currently viewing (such that the target file is somewhere down the list where you need to use the scroll bars in order to view). Most if not all windows applications plug in to this functionality. In the “Save As” dialog, it’s also a convenient visual reminder of the pre-existing file names in that folder so that you can quickly see whether the file name you’re about to use has already been assigned to another file, instead of forcing you to wait until the “Do you wish to overwrite this file” warning pops up.

It also provides an element of consistency for users that lack your finely tuned appreciation for the subtle nuances of the Windows’ GUI – for the rest of us that may not be obsessed with whether this function is a responsibility of IE or Windows or the particular application’s code, those dialog boxes get filled in with helpful suggestions across the board and are not restricted to just IE dialogs, or Word dialogs, or Windows dialogs – the functionality is close to universal, which is a Good Thing.

So regardless of whether you think it’s appropriate or inappropriate, helpful or not, this “previously-used file name” function exists. As Mark and Joe already clearly indicated, it does not cause a performance hit, create a large file with useless entries that rabidly consumes your hard-earned hard drive space or is a deliberate attempt to expose your deepest and darkest secrets. Your two alternates have been suggested: either reduce your own clutter by removing files from your target folder so that they are not called upon as suggestions when you are typing filenames, or install TweakUI. Given your obvious need to obsess over the infinitesimal aspects of your computing experience, TweakUI looks like the perfect solution.

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Keely,

ouch. but appropriate.

Joe

--Joe

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I agree with both Keely and Mark. Well said.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Edited by WyllyWylly to remove harsh language and rhetoric. Please see the Rules posted at the bottom of each page, particularly Rule 03 and Rule 09.[/size]

Anyone know where this cache resides or where the key is in the reg? This is a small feature I personally find annoying and would rather do without. Tweak Ul is perhaps a good and reasonable solution, but far from being the perfect solution – for me at least. Tweak Ul has some nice features and works well for certain users. I, however, am personally averse to installing an app I really won’t use to simply modify one Windows setting when other quasi-permanent remedies are likely to be available.

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I truly don’t see what the hang-up is about TweakUI – it’s one executable file, not a major application installation. If it’s the registry you were interested in, why not just say so?

Fire up regedit and drill down to this key:

• HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciescomdlg32NoFileMru[/list]If it doesn’t exist, create it. Set the value to 1 and exit. The change should be effective immediately.

  That’s all that TweakUI is doing. Try it, and see what other annoyances you can tame with it, instead of writing it off as straight rubbish. If you want to understand the registry, monitoring the changes that TweakUI makes are a good way to start.

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Mark, are you using threaded mode or flat mode?

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[/indent]Stricken as irrelevant, but I’ll answer it anyway – I’ve read your posts, Bruce. How I read them doesn’t affect their content (nor their ambiguity). More than once in my IT career someone has claimed that a solution presented was not correct, only to discover later that they should have double checked. That applies to myself as well. All you needed to say was “yes, I checked, and it was cleared” or “no, I didn’t check.” Isn’t the reason you posted to ask for assistance? If so, why spurn the suggestions of others as they are presented?[indent]

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keyboard vs. mouse is not related here

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[/indent]You’re not reading what I posted. I’m telling you that the keyboard may be something that could help you deal with the situation, and that it has for me. I also pointed out a solution for the filenames – a means to disable it using TweakUI.[indent]

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But, c’mon, think about it….you rarely would be typing a name of a previously named & existing file in the ‘save as’ dialogue box

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[/indent]Not true in my case. I use the dialog in a much different manner than yourself, it would seem.[indent]

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I seriously doubt you actually use names stored in the ‘save as’ drop down box with which to name files

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[/indent]Doubt all you wish. I do use that feature, for varying reasons that have nothing to do with this thread, and I use it heavily. See previous quote/reply. Since this feature made its way into Windows, I would wager a guess that I’m not alone either.[indent]

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Are you suggesting we delete the info we can’t find a way to delete?

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[/indent]I’m suggesting that if you don’t like the long list, you move some of the clutter into a separate directory, or find a better way to organize the files you save on your hard drive. If deleting is part of that organization process, so be it.

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