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How to Restore Tabs in Chrome: Complete Guide

Learn how to restore 800+ tabs in Google Chrome after restart. Standard methods, manual recovery through session files, and extensions for saving tabs.

#chrome-extensions#chrome-sessions#chrome-settings#data-backup#data-recovery#google-chrome#tab-restoration
Question

How can I restore previously closed tabs in Google Chrome?

Please help me restore around 800+ tabs in Google Chrome. After restarting the browser, a “Restore?” prompt appeared, I clicked “Yes,” but the tabs didn’t restore, even though this has always worked before. At the same time, the history of closed tabs has been preserved. In the folder AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sessions, there are two “Sessions” files and two “Tabs” files that might help with restoration. In the folder AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Profile 1\Sessions, the files are new, small in size, and have a more recent date - it appears they were overwritten. Please help me recover the approximately 800 tabs that I had collected over a year. Previously, after a browser crash, a similar problem occurred and I was unable to restore the tabs.

NeuroAgent

Recovering 800+ Tabs in Google Chrome is Possible Even When Standard Recovery Fails

There are two main methods: using standard browser functions and manual recovery through session files found in the AppData folder.

Table of Contents

Standard Recovery Methods

First, try the standard recovery methods that may work even after an unsuccessful attempt:

  1. Using keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + T - This opens the last closed tab. Repeated pressing opens tabs in reverse order of closure.

  2. “Recently Closed” Menu:

    • Right-click on an empty space in the tab bar
    • Select “Recently Closed”
    • This will open a list of recently closed tabs

  3. Browsing History:

    • Open Chrome and press Ctrl + H
    • In history, select “Other tabs” or “Closed tabs”
    • Find the desired pages and open them

Important: If after restarting the browser you clicked “Yes” to restore but tabs didn’t appear, this may mean the session file was corrupted or overwritten.

Manual Recovery Through Session Files

You correctly noticed the presence of session files in the AppData folder. This is the primary method for recovering large numbers of tabs. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Preparing Session Files

  1. Backup existing files:

    C:\Users\[Your Name]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Sessions
    • Copy the Sessions and Tabs files to a safe location

  2. Find old session files:
    Since you mentioned files in Profile 1 that appear “new,” these are likely active sessions after restarting. You need to find the older files.

Option 1: Switching Profiles

If there are old session files in the Profile 1 folder:

  1. Completely close Google Chrome
  2. Rename the Profile 1 folder to Profile 1_old
  3. Rename the Default folder to Profile 1
  4. Launch Chrome - The old sessions from the renamed folder will now load

Option 2: Copying Session Files

  1. Find the session folder from the previous working day (by modification date)
  2. Copy the Sessions and Tabs files from the old folder to the current one
  3. Launch Chrome

Option 3: Using a Session Viewer Utility

Create a simple script for reading session files:

javascript
// Save as session-reader.html
<html>
<head>
    <title>Chrome Session Reader</title>
</head>
<body>
    <input type="file" id="sessionFile" accept=".dat">
    <div id="output"></div>
    <script>
        document.getElementById('sessionFile').addEventListener('change', function(e) {
            const file = e.target.files[0];
            const reader = new FileReader();
            reader.onload = function(event) {
                try {
                    const content = event.target.result;
                    document.getElementById('output').textContent = 
                        'File size: ' + content.length + ' bytes\n' +
                        'First 100 bytes: ' + content.substring(0, 100);
                } catch (error) {
                    document.getElementById('output').textContent = 'Error reading file';
                }
            };
            reader.readAsArrayBuffer(file);
        });
    </script>
</body>
</html>

Using Extensions for Recovery

If manual recovery doesn’t work, use special extensions:

Session Buddy

  1. Open the Chrome Web Store
  2. Install the Session Buddy extension
  3. After installation, it will automatically save all current tabs
  4. When needed for recovery, open the extension and restore sessions

OneTab

  1. Install the OneTab extension
  2. Close all tabs - they will be saved in OneTab
  3. When needed for recovery, restore tabs from OneTab

Recovery Through History

Since you mentioned that the history of closed tabs has been preserved:

  1. Open Chrome and press Ctrl + H
  2. In the left menu, select “History”
  3. Click “Browsing history”
  4. In filters, select “Other tabs” or “Closed tabs”
  5. Review the list and restore the needed tabs

For recovering a large number of tabs, you can use an automatic opening script:

javascript
// Save as restore-tabs.js
// Run in browser console (F12)
const closedTabs = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('closedTabs') || '[]');
closedTabs.forEach(tab => {
    if (tab.url) {
        window.open(tab.url, '_blank');
    }
});

Preventing Future Tab Loss

To avoid losing tabs in the future:

  1. Enable session auto-save:

    • Settings → Advanced → On startup → Continue where you left off

  2. Use extensions for saving tabs:

    • Session Buddy
    • Tab Session Manager
    • OneTab

  3. Regularly create backups:

    • Automated script for copying session files
    • Cloud storage for important tabs

  4. Use bookmarks for important pages

Alternative Solutions

Using Cloud Storage

  1. Set up Chrome synchronization with a Google account
  2. Enable tab and history synchronization
  3. When reinstalling Chrome, restore through synchronization

Recovery Through System Backups

If you have system restore points enabled:

  1. Open “System Restore”
  2. Select a restore point before losing tabs
  3. Restore the system

Professional Data Recovery Software

  1. Use programs like Tenorshare 4DDiG
  2. Scan the AppData folder for deleted session files

Sources

  1. How to Recover Lost Chrome Tabs After a Crash - HelpDesk Geek
  2. How to Restore Chrome Tabs for Lost Sessions and Crashes - DataFeature
  3. How to Restore Tabs: Quick, Practical Ways to Recover Lost Browser Sessions - SmashingApps
  4. How to Reopen Closed Tabs - SmashingApps
  5. 【Step by Step Guide】How to Recover Deleted History on Google Chrome - Tenorshare 4DDiG](https://4ddig.tenorshare.com/windows-recovery-solutions/recover-deleted-history-chrome-on-windows-iphone-android.html)

Conclusion

Recovering 800+ tabs in Chrome requires a systematic approach:

  1. Start with standard methods - keyboard shortcuts and recently closed tabs menu
  2. Use manual recovery through session files in the AppData folder - the most reliable method for large numbers of tabs
  3. Take preventive measures - install extensions like Session Buddy for automatic session saving
  4. Create regular backups of important session files to the cloud

The most likely scenario for your situation is switching between Chrome profiles or manually copying old session files. If none of the methods work, professional data recovery utilities will help restore deleted session files.

How to set up automatic tab saving in Chrome to avoid losing them on restart?What are the best extensions for saving sessions in Chrome and restoring tabs?How to create a backup of Chrome session files in the cloud for secure storage?Why don't Chrome tabs restore after restart and how to fix it?How to restore tabs in Chrome if browsing history was also deleted?How to prevent tab loss during Chrome crashes in the future using browser settings?
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