To access and review Google Chrome’s browsing history directly from your files, follow these simple steps. Chrome history is stored as a database file in your computer. Here’s how to open it and explore the data within.
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Locate the File on Your System
The Chrome history file can be found at the following location on your Windows PC: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
Replace [username] with your actual username on the computer.
Accessing the History Database (SQLite Database)
Chrome’s history data is saved as a SQLite database file, so you’ll need an SQLite viewer to open it.
Two free options:
- DB Browser for SQLite: Quick to set up and ideal for simply viewing history data.
- SQLite Studio or HeidiSQL: These tools provide additional features for advanced SQL queries and data manipulation.
Alternative: Using Chrome Directly
If you’re only looking to browse recent history without any extra tools, try this method:
- Open Chrome.
- Type chrome://history/ in the address bar, and press Enter.
- You’ll see recent browsing history in the browser itself.
Why Does Chrome History Only Show a Few Months?
Chrome’s local history file typically retains data for the last 90 days. If you’re seeking history records from beyond this period, your options are limited:
- Extensions: Some third-party Chrome extensions can log future history, but they can’t retrieve past data.
- Google Account History: If logged in, you might have synced your history to your Google account, available through myactivity.google.com.
Dealing with Timestamps Displayed as 1970
Why 1970?: Chrome stores time in microseconds since January 1, 1601. Sometimes, this can lead to unusual display formats.
Convert to Readable Date
Use this SQL query to translate the timestamp:
SELECT datetime(Last_visit_time / 1000000 + (strftime('%s', '1601-01-01')), 'unixepoch', 'localtime') AS LastVisitTime, * FROM urls;
This query converts the timestamp in Chrome’s history database to a more understandable date format.