You may need to restore deleted browsing history from your Windows system for many reasons. For example, to find out which websites the user who used the computer before you visited, to re-access a lost URL or to retrieve important information that was mistakenly deleted. Even if the web browsing history data has been deleted from the internet browser, the Windows operating system still stores it, making it available in several ways. By far the easiest way to retrieve your browsing history is to use your Google account. If you have this profile and you use it during your web browsing sessions, you can use it to retrieve the information you need. Conversely, if you don't use a Google profile to browse the internet, tracing your history could be a little more complicated. Fortunately, there are several caches built into the Windows operating system where your browsing history can still be stored.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use DNS Cache
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu, then choose the "Run" item
Inside the "Open" field that appears, type the command "cmd" (without quotes). When finished, press the "OK" button. Even though a user may be able to clear their browsing history, the system DNS cache will continue to keep track of that information. Be careful because the information retrieved in this way could be a bit confusing, as the DNS cache stores all requests from any entity in the system that requires internet access, such as applications or programs, so not only those of the internet browser.
Step 2. Wait for the "Command Prompt" window to appear
This is a black background window where you can type your code
ipconfig / displaydns
. When finished, press the "Enter" key.
Step 3. Recover deleted information
After running the command, all history contained in the system DNS resolver cache will be displayed.
Method 2 of 3: Download Deleted File Recovery Software
Step 1. Search for a reputable program
Recommended options are Recuva or Data Recovery Wizard. After you have downloaded and installed your chosen free program, proceed to launch it. This article shows how Recuva works, but most programs of this type work in a very similar way.
Step 2. Press the "Next" button located on the welcome page of the initial Recuva tutorial
If this screen does not appear automatically after starting the program, go to "Options", then select the check button "Show wizard at startup".
Step 3. Select the type of file you are trying to restore
In this case the web browsing history. When you have finished making your selection, press the "Next" button, this will take you to the next "File Location" screen.
Step 4. Choose the option for where you want the program to start scanning
When you are ready, press the "Start" button, then wait for the analysis to complete. This step may take some time.
Step 5. Choose the "Recover" item
When the scan is complete, you will be given the option to recover the detected files, restoring them to the desired folder. After choosing where to save the recovered information, press the "OK" button.
Method 3 of 3: Access your Google History
Step 1. View browsing history linked to your Google account
This is by far the simplest method to apply, but it only works if you are logged into your Google account while browsing the internet.
Step 2. Log into your Google profile
To do this, log into the website www.google.com/history, then provide the password to access the Google account that you normally use while browsing the web.
Step 3. Consult your web history
From this page you will be able to view the list of websites visited, divided by date and time. If you want to clear the history, simply select the gear icon in the upper right corner of the page, then choose the "Delete item" item.
