I would like to know how to completely delete the Index.dat file. Will it corrupt the operating system?

What is the purpose of Index.dat...is it real syware? Why is it so 'essential' to Widnows performance. Can it be erased from Linux?

Nuke it.

It'll be rebuilt as soon as you log in to windoze.

Keep in mind that there are several of them scattered around your computer.

\Documents and Settings\<Username>\Cookies\index.dat

\Documents and Settings\<Username>\Local Settings\History\History.IE5\index.dat

\Documents and Settings\<Username>\Local Settings\History\History.IE5\MSHist012001123120020101\index.dat

\Documents and Settings\<Username>\Local
Settings\History\History.IE5\MSHist012002010720020114\index.dat

\Documents and Settings\<Username>\Local
Internet Files\Content.IE5\index.dat

Micro$oft's lame excuse:

The Index.dat file is never resized or deleted. Clearing the Internet Explorer history by clicking the Clear History button on the General tab in the Internet Options dialog box does not change the size of the Index.dat file. Also, setting the Days to keep pages in history value to 0 (zero) on the General tab does not change the size of the Index.dat file. The pre-allocated space in the Index.dat file increases Internet Explorer performance.

What does the 'C:\echo y | format c: /u' command do? I know it formats a hard drisk unconditionally, without question.....but what whould the differecne be than diong a regular format?

Just recently I had to fight with spyware and TONS of viruses.

Solution:

-download a free firewall from http://www.webmasterfree.com/tpfw.html
-get antivirus and clean out your system (do not connect to the web after that, save installers for e-mail, internet browser, firewall, etc. on your hard drive or CD)
-format your system drive
-install windows, antivirus and firewall
-go through all settings of your internet browser and set it to ask your permission before doing anything, like accepting cookies, popups, etc.
-after firewall and antivirus are running you can connect to the outside world again.
E-mail or pm me if you have specific questions -- will help with what I can.
One of the first steps towards Windows security is not to use Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, they're virus and spyware collectors.

<implies that to secure windows you should remove it, and by the time you figure out what the command does, it's probably too late to stop it...>