Internet Explorer issue In Windows 8.1

Question

In IE 11 in Windows 8.1 I found below issue:
 1) I found out that browser cache in Windows 8.1 is stored in “InetCache” folder which is located at C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache. But when this folder is accessed from windows explorer, the contents shown are different from, when
it is accessed through Browser Tools->Internet Options->General->Browsing history->Settings->View files.
 2) Now go to above said path (mentioned in #1 issue)from cmd. Now run dir command we see that it lists out  some files and directory name.Even though we delete everything from C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache by selecting (ctrl+A->shift+delete).
Can anyone help me in knowing why it does not delete everything from folder C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache when we clear all the  item? What is the purpose of the file that is listed out in cmd (like counters.dat, low directory etc)?
3)How this directory can be deleted? When I delete the C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Low, again it gets created. How we can can delete counters.dat file from INetCache folder. What is the purpose of this dat file.
4) The issue mentioned In #2 and #3 are also seen in Windows 7.
Please help me in knowing the answer of the above question.
Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Hi,
1) I found out that browser cache in Windows 8.1 is stored in “InetCache” folder which is located at C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache. But when this folder is accessed from windows explorer, the contents shown are different from, when
it is accessed through Browser Tools->Internet Options->General->Browsing history->Settings->View files.
Do you mean that you're unable to find the file path via File Exploerer, some files\folders are hidden and system protected, we need to go to control panel\Folder Options\View, then check Show hidden files & folders option, but also uncheck Hide protected
operating system files/folders option, then you will find the files.
 2) Now go to above said path (mentioned in #1 issue)from cmd. Now run dir command we see that it lists out  some files and directory name.Even though we delete everything from C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache by selecting
(ctrl+A->shift+delete). Can anyone help me in knowing why it does not delete everything from folder C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache when we clear all the  item? What is the purpose of the file that is listed out in cmd (like
counters.dat, low directory etc)?
3)How this directory can be deleted? When I delete the C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Low, again it gets created. How we can can delete counters.dat file from INetCache folder. What is the purpose of this dat file.
Regarding to Q2 and 3, I tested this issue, same result as yours, after I delet all the files under the cache folder, but the result of dir is still shown as below:
First the "Low" folder is to cache files when running IE in protected mode. the cache is considered as a virtual folder with the same low privilege as that of the Internet Explorer process itself. Regarding to the counters.dat file, and here is a
similiar link：
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/forum/ie10-windows_7/unable-to-delete-countersdat-file/501c7dcc-9df4-4684-8301-d9c4d1ac94ca
since I have confidence that my machine is not get infected, so the.dat file should be a default file, I will do more research and test for the file, will inform you if I got any progress.
Yolanda Zhu
TechNet Community Support