History.dat: Difference between revisions

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(More info up front; misc. editing for clarity)
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{{profile-file|filename=history.dat}}
{{profile-file|filename=history.dat}}
File "history.dat" stores the browsing history: the record of all recently-visited pages. It should not to be confused with session history which controls the Back and Forward buttons, or with [[downloads.rdf | download history]] which stores details of files saved to the hard drive or opened with external programs. The [[History Sidebar]] provides an interface to view and edit this file.
The file "history.dat" stores the browsing history (a record of visited pages)  in Firefox 2 or below and in Mozilla Suite/SeaMonkey 1.x. (Starting in Firefox 3 and SeaMonkey 2, history.dat is no longer used and the browsing history, as well as bookmarks in Firefox 3, is stored in the file [[places.sqlite]].)


By default Firefox stores the browsing history for 9 days.  If the history becomes long enough, the file can become large enough to greatly increase the startup time.  To reduce the startup time, you can delete part of your browsing history, or you can delete the file.
Browsing history should not to be confused with session history which controls the Back and Forward buttons, or with [[downloads.rdf | download history]] which stores details of files saved to the hard drive or opened with external programs. The History Sidebar provides an interface to view and edit this file.
 
By default, the browsing history is stored for 9 days.  If the history becomes long enough, the file can become large enough to greatly increase the startup time.  To reduce the startup time, you can delete all or part of your browsing history, or you can delete the file.


==Editing==
==Editing==
File "history.dat" is written in a complex format called "Mork".  Changes can be made through the [[History Sidebar]], but editing this file manually is not recommended.
The "history.dat" file is written in a complex format called "Mork".  Changes can be made through the History Sidebar, but editing this file manually is not recommended.


==Moving==
==Moving==
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==Deleting==
==Deleting==
Deleting "history.dat" will delete your browsing history. A new, empty file will be created automatically.
You can delete your history from the main menu (Tools => Clear Private Data...).  If you suspect that the file is corrupted, deleting "history.dat" will delete your browsing history, and a new, empty file will be created automatically.


==Related bugs==
==Related bug reports==
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=193236 Bug 193236 - History Window Excruciatingly Slow]
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=193236 Bug 193236 - History Window Excruciatingly Slow]
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=223476 Bug 223476 - large history makes Firefox painfully slow in several ways]
* [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=223476 Bug 223476 - large history makes Firefox painfully slow in several ways]
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* [[Browser will not start up ]]
* [[Browser will not start up ]]
* [[Deleting autocomplete entries]]
* [[Deleting autocomplete entries]]
* [[Viewing the browsing history - Firefox]]
* [[browser.history_expire_days]]


[[Category:Profile contents (Firefox)]]
[[Category:Profile contents (Firefox)]]
[[Category:Profile contents (Mozilla Suite)]]
[[Category:Profile contents (Mozilla Suite)]]
[[Category:History]]

Latest revision as of 20:17, 19 June 2009

The file "history.dat" stores the browsing history (a record of visited pages) in Firefox 2 or below and in Mozilla Suite/SeaMonkey 1.x. (Starting in Firefox 3 and SeaMonkey 2, history.dat is no longer used and the browsing history, as well as bookmarks in Firefox 3, is stored in the file places.sqlite.)

Browsing history should not to be confused with session history which controls the Back and Forward buttons, or with download history which stores details of files saved to the hard drive or opened with external programs. The History Sidebar provides an interface to view and edit this file.

By default, the browsing history is stored for 9 days. If the history becomes long enough, the file can become large enough to greatly increase the startup time. To reduce the startup time, you can delete all or part of your browsing history, or you can delete the file.

Editing

The "history.dat" file is written in a complex format called "Mork". Changes can be made through the History Sidebar, but editing this file manually is not recommended.

Moving

This file can be moved to a different profile.

Deleting

You can delete your history from the main menu (Tools => Clear Private Data...). If you suspect that the file is corrupted, deleting "history.dat" will delete your browsing history, and a new, empty file will be created automatically.

Related bug reports


See also