Thanks John for your very thorough response. My cookie privacy setting is set at medium.

I'll check what is set on the Google toolbar

What I haven't quite understood from previous posts is why deleteing everything from the Cookie folder would help - does it get too full? (John mentions that you cannot access this folder but I have noticed some guidance on other forums on how you can do this - though I am reluctant to start messing about in the bowels of Vista for what is a minor irritation rather than a major problem)