Disabling Internet Explorer AutoComplete     View/Save PDF     (25.3KB)

Published: ? | Last Updated: 01Aug02 | Status: Discontinued.

Ever start typing a URL into the Internet Explorer (IE) address bar only to notice similar URLs appearing in a drop down? If so, this is IE's AutoComplete in action. What IE's AutoComplete does is compare the URL you are typing with the URLs that IE has stored in History and Favorites. If the beginning of a URL in IE's History/Favorites matches the beginning of the URL you are typing, that URL will appear in the IE Address bar drop down.

To turn off AutoComplete, to delete the information that AutoComplete uses, and to eliminate some other annoying IE "features":

  1. Open IE and click Tools | Internet Options. Alternatively, click Start | Settings | Control Panel | Internet Options.
  2. In the History fieldset click Clear History.
  3. For Days to keep pages in history change the entry to "0," zero.
  4. Click the Content tab.
  5. In the Personal information fieldset click the AutoComplete Button.
  6. In the Clear AutoComplete history fieldset click both the Clear Forms button and the Clear Passwords button.

    Note: When Form and Passwords are cleared, the next time one encounters a situation in which AutoComplete could be used, an AutoComplete dialogue prompts Would you like to turn Autocomplete on? Click No.

  7. In the Use AutoComplete for fieldset uncheck both the Web Addresses box and the User names and passwords on forms box.
  8. Click OK.
  9. Click the Advanced tab.
  10. Scroll down and under Browsing uncheck both the Use inline AutoComplete for Web addresses box and the Use inline AutoComplete for Windows Explorer box.
  11. Click Apply | OK.
  12. Reboot computer.