If you suspect someone is using your computer and you want to see what they're doing, here's how to see if there's any trace of accessing content.
How do I check my computer's recent history
To check your computer's recent history, you should start with your web browser history and move to Files. However, it is possible to modify or delete the browser history, and you can also hide the Windows files.
Check your browser history
Web browser history can be accessed through keyboard shortcuts or browser menus.
1. Press Ctrl+H to view browser history on Windows. This works in most, if not all, browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera. Check the "My Google Activity" page of your Google account to see your Google search activity.
Mac users should press Command+Y to view Safari browsing history.
This shortcut will open a window with a list of sites you've viewed, sorted by most recent time.
2. You can also find it in the menu of each browser. For example, in Chrome, select the menu and 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.
4. Microsoft Edge can only keep browser history for up to 90 days, so what you're looking for may not be available.
Check the download history
There are two ways to view your computer's download history. You can check the browser itself, but if it's cleared, the file may still be in a folder on your computer.
1. In a web browser, press Ctrl+J to see which files have been downloaded recently on Windows. To view Safari's download history on Mac, select the Show Download button near the top right corner of the app.
It also has a search function, which is useful for finding content that was downloaded a long time ago (assuming you haven't cleared those entries yet).
2. After checking your browser, look at the files or programs you may have accessed. This is helpful because it's easy to erase the record from your web browser, but doing so won't delete the actual file you downloaded.
This works slightly differently between operating systems, but the gist is to find the area on your computer where the most recently downloaded files are located, such as the Downloads folder.
On Mac, this folder can be opened using the Option+Command+L shortcut.
On Windows, folders are located in the following locations:
C:\Users\[username]\Download
Tip: All browsers give you the option to save your files elsewhere, so you may have a recent download somewhere else, such as on your desktop.
3. Another area to search is the list of recent projects. 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 my recent activity on my computer?
In general, you should be able to view your computer's recent history. However, if you don't find what you're looking for, there could be a few reasons.
- If you use private mode, such as Chrome's Incognito Mode or Edge's InPrivate, the history will not be recorded.
- Data may be wiped during scheduled maintenance or due to browser issues.
- Windows privacy settings can be changed, so specific actions may not be logged.
- Some third-party apps, such as gaming tools, may only show that they were used, not what was done while using them. These apps may have separate histories, which you can check when you open them.
- Used and used devices are often cleared of data to protect the previous owner and provide a "clean" device for new devices.
- It is a no-brainer to clear recent activity in any computer and delete recently downloaded files.