[maconomist]

Hello,

I'm using IE7 with the auto-complete properly enabled. However, after a few days, the entire auto-complete history is wiped out. I have tried searching the Internet for this issue, but have found no mention of it.

Does anyone know what might be causing this? I would like the auto-complete history to remain permanently.

Thanks,
Ralph

[Phantom010]

I don't know what you've looked at so far but whenever you clear your browser's cache, make sure not to clear the AutoComplete data as well. Under the General tab > Broswer history > Delete... > do not click on Delete all..., Form data or Passwords.

Also make sure you don't have a program like CCleaner set to automatically delete your cache.

Personaly, I never use the feature because I do not consider it safe. Passwords will be saved on your computer and can be easily cracked with password recovery programs readily available on the Web. If somebody can gain access to your computer while leaving it unattended, he can get a hold of the passwords and usernames you've typed on the Web. Same thing can happen if your computer is infected with a backdoor Trojan or other type of malware that can send back information about your data to a malicious individual.

I sincerly hope you're not using AutoComplete for banking purposes...

[maconomist]

Thanks for your reply. The autocomplete data is not being removed manually by me, but it's being wiped out automatically after a few days. There is no program such as CCleaner installed. Any ideas on what might be causing this? Does IE use the "Days to keep history" setting for removing autocomplete data as well?

Thanks,
Ralph

[Phantom010]

You might not be looking at the right place. Many websites will save your username and password. But, the day you decide to delete your cookies, unfortunately, you'll lose everything and have to type them again the next time.

[maconomist]

The web site I'm using is actually developed by me and there's no relation between cookies and the auto-complete feature in this case. So it's solely a browser-specific error. It's IE that is wiping out the entire auto-complete database every few days. Any ideas?

Thanks again,
Ralph

[Phantom010]

Does the login page's URL ever change? In that case, passwords would have to be reentered.

[Phantom010]

To verifiy if the actual AutoComplete database gets really wiped out, click on Start > Run > type regedit.

Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\IntelliForms\Storage2

In the right hand pane, do you see different Binary Values? This will be your login information for the websites where you've entered your usernames and passwords. Everything will be encrypted so don't expect to recognize your usernames and passwords.

Also, did you test other websites to see if passwords are retained or not?

[maconomist]

Hi Phantom,

There is no Storage2 folder, but Storage1 instead. Inside there are seven keys with binary values associated to them. Does this indicate anything?

It seems to me that AutoComplete is being wiped out because there should be many more keys in here.

Regards,
Ralph

[maconomist]

One additional point: The web form I'm using is not a login form but a custom made Tell a Friend email form. So all it does is store the names and email addresses I've used before. But this data is being wiped out after some days.

[Phantom010]

Storage1 is for Forms.

Storage2 is for Passwords.

This means your don't have any passwords saved on your computer.

[maconomist]

Thanks for the clarification. Any ideas why this is getting wiped out? Does IE's history settings have anything to do with this? Right now it's set to delete history every 20 days.

[Phantom010]

I'm really not sure why this is getting wiped out. Do you lose this information always after the same period of time or it will vary from time to time?

[Phantom010]

I think I may be on to something, I hope... Try the procedure HERE.

Post back to let me know how it goes.

[zurh]

Have you tried reseting IE. Normally resolves my IE woes.