How to completely disable autocomplete in Internet Explorer

August 1, 2006 10:35 AM

How can I completely disable autocomplete in Internet Explorer on a public access computer?

We have several computers set up for the public so they can apply with us using our web application. These computers are running windows XP, in a locked down "Public User" account. We are also using Windows Disk Protection so that no changes can be saved by the public user. Unfortunately, the web application needs to be used with Internet Explorer.

The problem is that until they are restarted (typically once a day) these computers will retain usernames, SIN's, and other various bits of info from previous users and will attempt to autocomplete them when the next user sits down.

I have logged in as the administrator, and turned off all autocomplete settings in the Internet Options inside Internet Explorer. Once restarted in the Public User account, autocomplete is off but the first time you enter something into a form, it asks the user if they want to turn it back on.

Is there any way to permanently kill autocomplete until it is dead dead dead?

posted by utsutsu to computers & internet (6 comments total)

I know its not a complete answer to your query, but MSIE can have autocomplete disabled on a field by field basis. If you can change the web app, this hint will show you how to disable it for that field.
posted by mmascolino at 11:33 AM on August 1, 2006

Try playing with the ntuser.dat settings for the public profile. sorry I don't have any more specific info...
posted by blind.wombat at 11:45 AM on August 1, 2006

Thanks for both of your answers.

mmascolino - I am the sole developer of the web app, but it is also publically accessible over the internet. I don't want to prevent people from using autocomplete at home. We get enough phone calls and emails over lost / forgotten usernames and passwords.

blind.wombat - I'll look into that.

Anyone else have any insight?
posted by utsutsu at 12:01 PM on August 1, 2006

I think Tweak UI in the Powertoys suite has the option to disable autocomplete.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 12:06 PM on August 1, 2006

Also, you know there are two different places in IE where you have to disable autocomplete, right?

Tools>Internet Options/Advanced and uncheck "Use inline autocomplete" as well as Tools>Internet Options/Content then the Autocomplete button.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 12:10 PM on August 1, 2006

google for "public kiosk" in combination with whichever software you want to lock down; I've found some pretty good walkthroughs that way.
posted by baylink at 2:06 PM on August 1, 2006