I'm trying to clear out the WinInet cache using Win32 API - by invalidating the cache entries, or deleting them (doesn't matter). I can't find any way to do this for the whole cache (other than iterating over each entry - example in C#, another in VB) - is this even possible?
I'm fairly certain doing the FindFirst/FindNextUrlCacheEntry() then DeleteUrlCacheEntry() is the only way to make sure it works across all versions of IE.
Alternatively you can use FindFirst/FindNextUrlCacheGroup() and DeleteUrlCacheGroup() with "CACHEGROUP_FLAG_FLUSHURL_ONDELETE" but you have to make sure you only delete what you want. For example, history, cookies and temporary internet files are all Cache groups.
Apparently, it is possible to (ab)use the Internet Options panel to clear the cache files by executing this:
RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 8
Will try to call this as a DLL.
Source: http://www.vbforums.com/archive/index.php/t-440508.html , comment by technorobbo
Do not use the method: RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 8 This is unsupported by Microsoft and has been shown to break the cache and cause all sorts of unusual problems.
FTR: The exact meaning of the argument (8 above, means only Temporary Internet Files and not Cookies etc.) is explained e.g. on http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows/clear-ie7-browsing-history-from-the-command-line.
BTW: Unfortunately RunDll32 is asynchronous, which makes it not ideal for running before e.g. automated web tests. Would anybody have an idea either how to run this as a blocking call, or to how to programmatically find the exact directory name of the "Temporary Internet Files" directory so it can be polled until empty? Code it in C (need it in Java, could do JNI) is really the only option, huh? ;(
PS: How can one post a reply to an existing answer instead of starting a new answer on stackoverflow?
来源：https://stackoverflow.com/questions/825144/how-to-clear-msie-wininet-cache-programmatically