Internet Explorer cached information and autocomplete

Internet Explorer cached information and autocomplete

Document number: 19010

The Autocomplete feature of Internet Explorer will cache information such as passwords, usernames and web site addresses. Later as you type in the Address bar, a Web page form, or a user name or password box on a Web page AutoComplete will suggest possible matches. Multiple matching entries will be displayed in a drop down list.

Note: This feature is inherently insecure and should not be used in most instances. Anyone who manages to gain access to your machine can gain access to your sites. The encryption is weak. You will lose the information in many circumstances (such as migration from CORP / JDEMD1 to PEOPLESOFT).

You can control what information will be cached and clear previously cached information. To clear individual items from the list of form or password suggestions, click the item in the list of suggestions for that field and then press Delete. To clear all the stored information or to change the settings, click here. For infomation on enabling or disabling the AutoComplete feature, click here.

An entirely seperate topic is the caching of files you have viewed. For information on clearing the file cache see document 16093 — How to clear the cache in Internet Explorer. To delete stored "cookies" see document 19012 — How to find and delete cookies in Internet Explorer.

AutoComplete and Forms

When you first access a form you may get the following message:

The AutoComplete feature suggests possible matches for entries you type in the Address bar, a Web page form, or a user name or password box on a Web page.

Would you like to turn AutoComplete on?

If you answer Yes then when you use Internet Explorer to fill in a form AutoComplete will remember the form and the information you provided. When you access the same form in the future AutoComplete will automatically fill in the form. The AutoComplete list automatically appears when you perform any of the following actions on a previously populated form:
Type the first character in the field
Press the UP or DOWN keys in the field
Double-click a blank area in the field

If any entries are incorrect you can change them and AutoComplete will use the new information for future accesses. If you later change your mind and do not want form information cached you can turn off that feature. Click here to change your AutoComplete settings.

AutoComplete and Passwords

When you first type a user name and password on a Web page, you receive the following prompt:
Do you want Windows to remember this password, so that you don't have to type it again the next time you visit this page?

If you answer Yes then when you use Internet Explorer to enter a username and password AutoComplete will the information you provided. When you access the security box in the future and begin to enter your username AutoComplete will automatically fill in the security box. If any entries are incorrect you can change them and AutoComplete will use the new information for future accesses. If you later change your mind and do not want password information cached you can turn off that feature. Click here to change your AutoComplete settings.

There is also a Don't offer to remember any more passwords check box that disables the AutoComplete feature for user names and passwords on forms. If you later change your mind and want the offer to have password information cached you can turn on that feature. Click here to change your AutoComplete settings.

AutoComplete and Website Addresses

AutoComplete caches website addresses and will start offering suggestions when you (1) type any character in the address field, (2) press the Up or Down arrow keys while in the address field, or (3) double click in the blank address field. To clear the Website address cache click here The AutoComplete feature for Web addresses also includes an AutoCorrect feature that can correct common errors. For example, if you accidentally type "htp://" or "http:\\" instead of "http://," Internet Explorer 5 can automatically correct the error as soon as you click Go or press ENTER.

You can modify the behavior of AutoComplete for website addresses. In Internet Explorer 5 the suggestions typically appear in a drop down list. If, however, you turn off AutoComplete of Web Addresses from the Content tab, but turn on Use inline AutoComplete for Web addresses from the Advanced tab, then AutoComplete will "type ahead" inserting the suggested characters directly in the address box. To turn off AutoComplete of Web Addresses from the Content tab, click here. To turn on Use inline AutoComplete for Web addresses from the Advanced tab, click here.

To change your AutoComplete settings:

Open Internet Explorer.
Select Tools from the menu bar.
Select Internet Options ... from the drop down menu.
Click on the Content tab.
Under Personal Information click the A utoComplete ... button
The next screen will allow you to:

To enable AutoComplete of

Web addresses
Forms
User names and passwords on forms
Prompt before saving passwords

or to clear

previously cached passwords and usernames
forms

Click OK to finish, then OK to close

You can also turn the entire AutoComplete feature on or off without changing the individual settings. For infomation on enabling or disabling the AutoComplete feature, click here.

To enable or disable the AutoComplete feature:

Open Internet Explorer.
Select Tools from the menu bar.
Select Internet Options ... from the drop down menu.
Click on the Advanced tab.
Under Browsing, you can modify the settings for

Use AutoComplete (may not be available in Windows 2000) or
Use inline AutoComplete for Web addresses check box

Click OK to close.

To clear the Website address cache

Open Internet Explorer.
Select Tools from the menu bar.
Select Internet Options ... from the drop down menu.
Click on the General tab.
Click on the Clear History button.
Click OK to close.