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Have you ever accidentally deleted your browsing history on Internet Explorer and now need to recover it? Don’t worry; there are ways to retrieve your deleted history and regain access to important websites, search queries, and previously visited pages. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to retrieve your deleted history on Internet Explorer in Windows 10.
Step 1: Launch Internet Explorer on your Windows 10 computer.
Step 2: Click on the "Gear" icon located in the top-right corner of the browser window to open the settings menu.
Step 3: From the drop-down menu, select "Internet options."
Step 4: In the Internet Options window, navigate to the "General" tab.
Step 5: Under the "Browsing history" section, click on the "Settings" button.
Step 6: In the Website Data Settings window, click on the "View files" button.
Step 7: A File Explorer window will open, displaying the Temporary Internet Files folder. From here, you can navigate through the folder structure to locate and retrieve your deleted history files.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides a straightforward method to retrieve deleted history. | 1. Recovery success may vary depending on the data lifespan and browser settings. |
| 2. Can potentially recover important browsing information and website URLs. | 2. May require advanced technical knowledge to locate and retrieve files. |
| 3. Allows for the restoration of accidentally deleted browsing history. | 3. Recovery is not guaranteed for all deleted history files. |
Video Tutorial: How can I recover my deleted activity log?
Where are Internet Explorer history files stored?
Internet Explorer, as the default web browser on older versions of Windows, stores its history files in a specific location on your computer. The exact location may depend on the version of Windows you are using. However, for most Windows versions, Internet Explorer history files are typically stored in the following location:
C:\Users\
To access this location, you can follow these steps:
1. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
2. In the address bar at the top, enter the following path: C:\Users\
(Note: Replace `
3. Press Enter, and the File Explorer will navigate to the folder where Internet Explorer stores your history files.
Once you access this folder, you will see various files corresponding to the websites you have visited using Internet Explorer. These files may have different extensions like .html, .mht, or .url.
Please note that Internet Explorer is no longer actively maintained by Microsoft, and it has been replaced by Microsoft Edge as the default browser on newer Windows versions. Therefore, if you are using a newer version of Windows, it is recommended to transition to Microsoft Edge to ensure you have the latest security updates and features.
How can I find my deleted search history?
Finding a deleted search history can be a challenging task, but you may attempt the following steps to increase your chances of recovering it:
1. Check your browser history: Start by accessing the browsing history within your web browser. In most browsers, you can press Ctrl+H (Windows) or Command+Y (Mac) to open the history tab. Scroll through the list and look for the relevant search history. Keep in mind that if you have cleared your browser history, this method might not yield any results.
2. Check your Google account activity: If you are using Chrome and have signed in with your Google account, you can check your account activity to review the searches you made on any device. Simply log in to your Google account and visit the "My Activity" page. From there, you can filter your activity by date, search query, or specific Google service.
3. Check your device backups: If you regularly back up your devices, there is a chance that your search history could be stored within those backups. Restore the backup to your device and check the browsing history as mentioned earlier.
4. Contact your internet service provider: In some cases, your internet service provider (ISP) may retain browsing history logs. However, keep in mind that ISPs typically do not provide access to this data unless legally required to do so due to privacy concerns.
5. Utilize data recovery software: If all else fails, you can try using data recovery software specifically designed to recover deleted files, including browsing history. These tools scan your device for deleted data and attempt to restore it. However, success is not guaranteed, and it’s essential to choose a reputable tool to avoid potential security risks.
Remember, the effectiveness of these methods varies depending on various factors such as device settings, browser configuration, backups, and timeline since deletion. Additionally, be mindful of privacy and legal implications when attempting to recover deleted data.
How do I restore my browsing history on Internet Explorer?
To restore your browsing history on Internet Explorer, you can follow these steps:
1. Open Internet Explorer: Launch Internet Explorer by clicking on its icon on your desktop or by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Access the History menu: Once Internet Explorer is open, click on the "History" button located at the top-right corner of the browser window. It appears as a clock icon.
3. View browsing history: A dropdown menu will appear showing your recent browsing history. By default, it displays the most recently visited websites. If you want to see the full history, click on the "View by Date" option.
4. Restore specific webpage: Scroll through the list of websites and locate the page you want to restore. Once found, click on it to reopen the webpage in a new tab.
5. Restore entire browsing session: If you want to restore your entire browsing session, including multiple tabs and windows, right-click on any website in the history list and select "Open all" or "Open all in new window." This will reopen all the websites from that session.
6. Use the Search bar: If you remember the name or keywords related to the webpage you want to find, you can utilize the search bar at the top-right corner of the History menu. Enter the relevant terms, and Internet Explorer will display matching results.
Note: The browsing history can only be restored if it hasn’t been manually cleared or if Internet Explorer hasn’t been configured to delete history upon exiting the browser. Additionally, if you’re using a different web browser, these steps may not apply, and you should seek instructions specific to that browser.
How do I find old browsing history?
To find old browsing history, follow these steps:
1. Check your browsing history on your web browser:
– Open your web browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
– Look for the menu icon (usually three vertical dots or lines) in the top right corner of the browser window.
– Click on the menu icon and select "History" or "History > History" from the drop-down menu.
– This will open a new tab displaying your browsing history.
– Scroll through the list to find the specific webpage or website you are looking for.
2. Use the search functionality within your browser’s history:
– Most browsers have a search box at the top that allows you to search for specific keywords or URLs within your browsing history.
– Type relevant keywords or the URL you are trying to find and press "Enter" or click on the search icon.
– The browser will display the matching results based on your search criteria.
3. Check your browser’s cache files:
– Browsers store temporary files, also known as cache files, to load web pages more quickly.
– Open a new tab in your web browser and type "about:cache" in the address bar.
– Press "Enter" to access the browser’s cache page.
– Look for a link or button that says "Show All Cache Entries" or something similar.
– Click on that link to view all the cached files.
– You can usually search within the cache entries by using the browser’s built-in search feature (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F).
4. Use specialized recovery software:
– If the above steps don’t yield the desired results, you can consider using data recovery software specifically designed to find and recover deleted browsing history.
– There are various software options available, such as Recuva, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill.
– Download and install one of these programs, follow the instructions provided, and perform a scan on your computer to locate and recover deleted browsing history if possible.
Remember to exercise caution and respect the privacy of others when accessing browsing history. It’s important to understand and follow local laws and regulations regarding data privacy and digital forensics.
Can I recover deleted internet history?
Yes, it is possible to recover deleted internet history depending on various factors. However, the process can be a bit complex and may require technical expertise. Here are some steps you can take to try to recover deleted internet history:
1. Time is of the essence: The sooner you try to recover the deleted internet history, the better chances you have. The longer you wait, the higher the chances that the data might get overwritten by other activities on your device.
2. Check browser history: Start by checking the browser history within your internet browser. Most browsers allow you to view and access your browsing history, even if you’ve deleted it. Look for an option like "History" or "Browsing History" within the settings of your specific browser.
3. Use data recovery software: If the browser history options don’t yield any results, you can turn to data recovery software. There are various tools available that can scan your device’s storage for deleted data and potentially recover internet history. These software programs work by searching for remnants of deleted files and recovering them.
4. Consult with a professional: If you’re not comfortable using data recovery software or if the above steps didn’t work, it might be best to consult with a professional who specializes in data recovery. They have the expertise and tools to delve deeper into the device’s storage and increase the chances of recovering deleted internet history.
Remember, the effectiveness of these steps may vary depending on factors such as the device you’re using, the browser you used, and the amount of time that has elapsed since the data was deleted. Therefore, there’s no guarantee that you can always recover deleted internet history, but it’s worth a try if the information is crucial to you.