How to Check Computer History

If you suspect someone was using your computer and you want to see what they were up to, here's how to see if there are some traces of what was accessed.

How Do I Check The Recent History Of My Computer?

To check the recent history of a computer, you should start with the web browser history and then move to the files. However, browser history can be revised or deleted, and Windows files can be hidden.

See Browser History

Web browser history is accessible through a keyboard shortcut or the browser's menu.

1. Press Ctrl+H to view your browser history on Windows. This works in most, if not all, browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera. Check out your Google account's My Google Activity page to see your Google search activity.

   Mac users should press Command+Y to see the Safari browsing history.
   

   This shortcut will open a window with a list of websites you've viewed, ordered by most recent.

2. You can also find this in the menu of each browser. In Chrome, for example, select the menu, then go to History > History.

3. At the top of the History window, use the search bar to find any specific sites you might be looking for.

   

   Microsoft Edge will only retain browser history for up to 90 days, so what you're looking for might not be available.

See Download History

There are two ways to see you computer's download history. You can check the browser itself, but if that's been cleared, the files might still exist in a folder on your computer.

1. In your web browser, press Ctrl+J to see what files have been downloaded recently on Windows. To see Safari's download history on a Mac, select the Show Downloads button near the top-right corner of the app.
   

   This also has a search function, which is useful for finding things you downloaded long ago (assuming you haven't cleared those entries).

   

2. Once you’ve checked the browser, look at files or programs that may have been accessed. This is helpful because it's easy to wipe the records in your web browser, but doing so won't delete the actual files you downloaded.

   This works a little differently between operating systems, but the gist is to find the area on your computer that houses recently downloaded files, such as the downloads folder.

   You can open this folder on Mac with the Option+Command+L shortcut.
   

   On Windows, the folder is located here:

    C:\Users\[username]\Downloads
   

   

   All browsers let you choose to save files elsewhere, so it's possible that there are recent downloads somewhere else, like on the desktop.

3. Another area to search is the list of recent items. For example, if you're on a Mac, select the Apple menu to see a short list of recently used files, drives, and servers.

   If you open File Explorer in Windows 11 and visit the Home tab, you'll see a list of recent files.

   

Can I See Recent Activity On My Computer?

Generally, you should be able to view your computer’s recent history. However, if you’re not finding what you’re looking for, there could be a few reasons.

• If a private mode, such as Chrome’s Incognito or Edge’s InPrivate, is used, the history won’t be recorded.
• Data can be purged during regular maintenance or due to browser problems.
• Windows privacy settings can be changed, so specific actions may not be documented.
• Some third-party apps, like gaming tools, may only reveal that they were used, not what was done when using them. These apps may have separate histories you can check when opening them.
• Secondhand and used devices are often purged of any identifying data or other materials to protect the previous owner and offer the new one a “clean” device.
  
• It’s easy to clear recent activity from any computer and delete recently downloaded files.