Browsing history

I am not able to view my browsing history - no response when I press history button. Please help.

It strikes me that you may have a permissions problem. This would not normally happen on a clean install of Vista or a new PC, but if you transferred your favorites and data files from another computer, the permissions can sometimes be askew.

Check that you have full control of %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files

I cannot find Temporary Internet Files in my Windows file

It would help to know which browser you're using - TIF is used for Internet Explorer and IE-based browsers, whereas it is not used for alternate browsers (Netscape, Firefox, Opera, etc.)

Im using Internet Explorer

The folder is a hidden folder - you'll need to enable hidden folders from your Windows Explorer settings (Tools --> Folder Options --> View tab --> Hidden Files and Folders - move the radio button next to Show hidden files and folders - Click OK button.

Or, you could just copy what solo listed as the whole path (starting with % and ending with Files) and then go to Start --> Run, and the paste it in there - if you don't see run in your start menu then hold the Windows key on your keyboard and hit the letter 'R'

"Hidden folders" is enabled. ??????

OK, how far down that chain are you able to go before you cannot go any further?

I press the star button in ie - the History button shows nothing - nor does the Search History. Is this what you wanted to know?

Hi gmanerdy,

I've been gone for a while, but I'm back now. I don't know whether you have solved your problem or given up by now.

Do you have subfolders in your favorites?

Did you import your favorites or history, or copy these from a different machine?

Did you use a files from a backup CD?

The reason that I ask these questions is to figure out whether or not you have a simple permissions problem. Under normal circumstances, the troubles you are having do not occur. If you copied your files from elsewhere, then it is a common mistake to lose ownership.

To take ownership of special folders associated to IE copy the script below into Notepad. Save the file with a .vbs extension. Run.
'Begin Copy below this line ----
'ownIEfolders.vbs
'solon fox - created 2008/6/21
'solonfox@gREMOVETHISmail.com
'quick and dirty take ownership of IE special folders
'=========================================================
Dim strPath, strMsg
'Constants
Const SCRIPTNAME = "ownIEfolders.vbs"
Const FAVORITES = &H6&
Const MY_TIF = &H20& 'Temporary Internet Files
Const MY_COOKIES = &H21& 'Cookies
Const MY_HISTORY = &H22& 'History
strComputer = "."
strMsg = "Ownership taken of: " & VbCrLf
Set objShell = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2")
'Favorites
Set objFolder = objShell.Namespace(FAVORITES)
Set objFolderItem = objFolder.Self
strFolder = Replace(objFolderItem.Path, "\", "\\")
strMsg = strMsg & "Favs: " & objFolderItem.Path & VbCrLf
Set colFolders = objWMIService.ExecQuery _
("Select * From Win32_Directory Where Name = '" & strFolder & "'")
For Each objFolder in colFolders
objFolder.TakeOwnershipEx
Next
'Temporary Internet Files
Set objFolder = objShell.Namespace(MY_TIF)
Set objFolderItem = objFolder.Self
strFolder = Replace(objFolderItem.Path, "\", "\\")
strMsg = strMsg & "TIF: " & objFolderItem.Path & VbCrLf
Set colFolders = objWMIService.ExecQuery _
("Select * From Win32_Directory Where Name = '" & strFolder & "'")
For Each objFolder in colFolders
objFolder.TakeOwnershipEx
Next
'Cookies
Set objFolder = objShell.Namespace(MY_COOKIES)
Set objFolderItem = objFolder.Self
strFolder = Replace(objFolderItem.Path, "\", "\\")
strMsg = strMsg & "Cookies: " & objFolderItem.Path & VbCrLf
Set colFolders = objWMIService.ExecQuery _
("Select * From Win32_Directory Where Name = '" & strFolder & "'")
For Each objFolder in colFolders
objFolder.TakeOwnershipEx
Next
'History
Set objFolder = objShell.Namespace(MY_HISTORY)
Set objFolderItem = objFolder.Self
strFolder = Replace(objFolderItem.Path, "\", "\\")
strMsg = strMsg & "History: " & objFolderItem.Path & VbCrLf
Set colFolders = objWMIService.ExecQuery _
("Select * From Win32_Directory Where Name = '" & strFolder & "'")
For Each objFolder in colFolders
objFolder.TakeOwnershipEx
Next
Wscript.Echo strMsg & " " & VbCrLf & SCRIPTNAME & " - finished."
'End Copy above this line ----
I hope this helps.
To the scripting critics, yes, this could have been done more efficiently with a loop, but, hey scripts are quick and dirty.