Removing Typed URLs from Internet Explorer’s Auto Complete

A while back someone asked me a question that I wasn’t sure how to answer. He wanted a way to remove a single typed in URL from Internet Explorer’s Auto Complete feature. This feature will finish a URL that you've previously typed in as you type. It can be a real time saver, allowing you to hit the Enter” key after typing only 3-4 characters of a web address. Most of you probably know how to clear out your History, clean your cookies, and remove all typed in URL (web addresses). However, to my knowledge Microsoft doesn't provide an easy way to remove a single URL from IE's Auto Complete. For this gentleman, this was a problem. Since I am “The Computer Deconfuser” he asked me for a solution which I was compelled to find. The first solution is to use regedit and delete some entries. Unless you're experienced and comfortable with regedit this can be dangerous and you can do
some serious damage to your computer. I have previously written on how to do this which you can read at http://blog.rjmolesa.com/?p=55. On the other hand, I have written a tool that will make this changes for you, keeping you from ever touching the Windows registry. This tool will allow you to remove any one of or all your typed URLs from Internet Explorer's Auto Complete. You
only have to download and install the tool at http://www.deconfuser.com/downloads/typedURLRemover/setup.zip. During installation tell it to “place a shortcut on the Desktop”, and to “run the program once installation is complete.” Once installation is complete it will run automatically and load a list of all the URLs that you have ever typed into Internet Explorer's Address bar. Just highlight the URL that you want to remove by clicking it once, then click the button “>”. This will move that URL from the
list on the left to the list on the right. Once you have all the URLs you want to get rid of in the list on the right just click “Delete”. And close the program. Now restart Internet Explorer. Begin typing in a URL that you just deleted and It shouldn't offer to complete that address for you any longer. This little program makes it so much easier, to get rid of any unwanted URLs, than using Regedit to achieve the same effect. It also greatly reduces the risk of serious damage to your computer. If you find this little program useful, drop me a line and let me know. I'd appreciate the feedback.

Please send your comments, questions, or suggestions to:
comments@deconfuser.com
PO BOX 987
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
Visit http://www.deconfuser.com/article for more advice.

One Response to “Removing Typed URLs from Internet Explorer’s Auto Complete”

  1.  Luis Says:

    Hi,

    I had the same problem. I deleted the entry from the registry and then I did a search on my history (click the history icon on the ie and then click search) for the annoying URL (it was a misspell of a link I usually type a lot). Finally I just right clicked and delete and it stopped showing it on the addressbar when I started typing.
    The autocomplete is probably done using the registry, and links infavourites & History… So you should delete it from all in which it appears…

    Hope this helps!

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