How to restore (not recently closed) tabs ?

Question

I have opened %localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default and I think I found the tabs I am looking for.

Then, I tried to open lsauer.net but it doesn't. Does this work for others ? If not, is there an alternative ?

Answer 1

Hi @Sara Jimenez,

Normally, to restore tabs, you'll only need to go to History (Ctrl+H) --> Recently closed. This is the recommended way to restore your tabs.

If you need to restore the tabs that are not listed there, go to %localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Sessions, and you will find some files like Session_xxx or Tabs_xxx. These files store your current tab information. Assuming you already have these files and you want to restore them:

• Make sure you have both the session/tab files copied in another directory.
• Crash Microsoft Edge by ending the process in task manager.
• Delete all the existing files in the Sessions directory and copy your already-prepared session/tab files here.
• Re-open Microsoft Edge and you'll be prompted with the restore session dialog or the ability to go into History and restore each window from that session. Just do the "restore" and you will find the expected tabs show up.

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Best Regards,

Shijie Li

Answer 2

Hi @ShiJieLi-MSFT Thanks very much for the above tip. I stumbled upon it when I decided to write a solution/fix for it after searching several websites and not finding an answer, there was one extra step I had to perform which opened all the previous session tabs for me (same state as before the windows update restart)

Steps I took in restoring the Edge session after a Windows update reset of the Edge settings:

• Browse to the following location

%localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Sessions, and you will find some files like Session_xxx or Tabs_xxx.

• Make sure you have both the session/tab or just copy all files into another directory.
• Force close Microsoft Edge by ending the process in Task Manager.
• Delete all the existing files in the Sessions directory (above path)
• IMPORTANT: find the old file with the largest size, in my case before the Windows update session file. Rename the old session file name with the latest session file name (full name inc number) created by Edge
• Copy the renamed session files back into the sessions folder (same above session path).
• Open Microsoft Edge and you'll be prompted with the restore session dialogue or the ability to go into History and restore each window from that session. Just do the "restore" and you will find the expected tabs show up.

Hope the above will be of value to some in saving hours of research.

All the Best,

Fais