Member Avatar for actfray

Running Windows 7 and IE8. I've been trying to view my browsing history, but every time I click on History, it will only give me a list of my local searches (documents, saved files, etc.). It won't show me a list of internet sites I've visited. I've checked all my settings, and they're correct. When I click on the Favorites tab, there is no History tab within it. I have to right click on the arrow in the upper left-hand corner to find a History tab. But it still won't show me previously visited internet sites.

What can I do to correct this? Thank you!

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Dani AI

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A lot of confusion here comes from clicking the wrong "History." The Start menu/Windows Explorer search and the IE Favorites center both use the word "History" but they show very different things (file/search history vs. browser history). Make sure you are looking inside Internet Explorer itself — open IE (not Explorer), then open the Favorites/Feeds/History pane (star icon or press Ctrl+H). If that pane still shows only documents or file-search results, the browser is not recording or displaying web visits.

Quick troubleshooting steps to try:

  • Open Internet Explorer (not Windows Explorer) and press Ctrl+H to open the History pane.
  • Exit any InPrivate window (InPrivate mode does not save history).
  • Tools → Internet Options → General → Browsing history: ensure “Delete browsing history on exit” is NOT checked. If it is, uncheck it.
  • Test IE with add-ons disabled: run “Internet Explorer (No Add-ons)” from Accessories → System Tools — if history appears there, an add-on or extension is clearing or hiding it.
  • Temporarily disable any system-cleaner/maintenance tool (CCleaner, privacy utilities, scheduled cleanup tasks) or antivirus features that claim to clear browser data.

If those checks show nothing, try these next steps: create a new Windows user and open IE there to see if history is recorded (isolates a corrupt profile). Back up Favorites, then Tools → Internet Options → Advanced → Reset Internet Explorer settings (this can fix a broken UI but will remove add-ons/settings). As noted, automatic deletion is a common cause; as suggested, moving to a modern browser or newer IE build (if your system supports it) will give clearer history controls and better security.

If you want, list what you see when you press Ctrl+H and any cleanup tools you use and the exact Internet Options settings — that will help narrow the cause.

Member Avatar for mechbas

Upgrade to IE11.
What you're undoubtably looking for will be the star in the upper right corner.

Member Avatar for p.h.p

You could have setup that your browser deletes your history everytime you close the browser.

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