Recently I've been doing a little research into the inner workings of my Windows product (Windows XP). Because of my interest in computer forensics I decided to poke around for files that could provide evidence. This is when I discovered the index.dat files. These files seem to archive all: Temporary Internet URL's, History, and Cookies. I decided that I was going to create a batch file to delete these at my discretion. This is when I discovered that they couldn’t be deleted in normal mode. Even if you clear your temporary internet files etc... manually the index.dat still remains. (If you don't believe me download the index.dat viewer I've attached or go Here for a direct download) I went into safe mode, 'command prompt only' and was able to successfully delete the index.dat's. My question is this, Why is it that 3rd party software like Evidence Eliminator, Privacy Eraser Pro, etc... can delete the index.dat's in normal mode and the common user cannot? Is there ways to circumvent or disable the index.dat's from logging?

Disclaimer: I'm not some individual looking to remove incriminating evidence. If that was ever a concern of mine I'd just format the HD a bunch w/ re-installs or just buy a new HD and destroy the old one.