Whenever I visit Google all my past searches appear as a drop-down box against the Search field. Can you explain how to remove all these past searches? Clearing the Internet Explorer history does not resolve the issue. The computer is running Windows 98.

The reason this occurs is the Internet Explorer AutoComplete function is saving the past values which you have entered into the Google search field. This is designed as a convenience, in case you wish to search for the same text again, but can become a bit cumbersome when hundreds of past entries accumulate and this also does present a slightly increased security risk (as other people using your computer can see your past searches). To clear the Internet Explorer AutoComplete history open Internet Explorer and go to the “Tools” menu > “Internet Options”. In the window that appears, click the “Content” tab and the “AutoComplete” button. Click the “Clear Forms” and “Clear Passwords” buttons. Additionally, if you do not wish for future searches to be saved, untick Use Autocomplete for “Forms” and “User name and passwords on forms”. Click OK twice to close the open windows.