# how to cancel auto-compete in my browser?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-cancel-auto-compete-in-my-browser/435751>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 31, 2008, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-cancel-auto-compete-in-my-browser/435751 "2008-01-31T19:25:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2008, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-cancel-auto-compete-in-my-browser/435751/1 "2008-01-31T19:25:08Z")

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yes, I’ve already de-selected the “use inline auto-complete” option under the “Tools-Internet Options” menu. And I also clicked on “delete cookies” ,“clear history” and "delete files.

When I start to type a url in the address bar, a list of previous sites appears containing several items beginning with that letter I typed. The list is NOT exactly what I typed in the address bar yesterday or last week.

For example: I want to go to google, so I start to type “www . google” But as soon as I hit the letter g, (and pause briefly), a list appears which includes a string of words that I have never typed before:  
www . [cute - Google Search](http://google.com/search?hl=en&q=cute) kittens=Google+Search

Obviously, this string is generated by me having previouslyy used google to search for “cute kittens”.But why does it re-appear now?

another example: after I type “www dot c”, a list appears including this string:  
www . clocks.co.il/cgi-bin/clocks-sale.cgi?code=860  
obviously, this is also generated by the site where I checked prices on clocks. But that was a long time ago. Why is it still there, and in my face?  
So how do I prevent these lists from appearing?

I use IE 6 (not 7) on a standard household computer with Windows XP Home Edition SP2.

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2008, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-cancel-auto-compete-in-my-browser/435751/2 "2008-01-31T19:37:28Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> To adjust AutoComplete settings
> 
> You can configure AutoComplete to save and suggest only the information you want. You can choose whether to use AutoComplete for Web addresses, forms, and passwords, or not use it all. You can also clear the history for any of these.
> 
> In Internet Explorer, on the Tools menu, click Internet Options.  
> Click the Content tab.  
> Under Personal information, click AutoComplete.  
> Select the check boxes for the AutoComplete options you want to use.

Source: I opened IE 6, selected HELP and then searched under “autocomplete.”