Data Recovery from Indexed DB and cache folders on a desktop

ConfusedConstantine

What kind of information can I recover from the indexed db and cache folders that a browser stores on a PC? I deleted a conversation on Facebook messenger (this was before end to end encryption), but I have an old computer that I would have likely viewed this conversation or at least part of it on before I ceased regular use of it. This should mean that it's possible that the indexed db and cache folders are the same as they were more than half a decade ago, right?

I do not know much about data recovery. All I've been able to do is ask ChatGPT. ChatGPT is convinced that recovering data from these files would be super easy and that in the 2010s these files contained clear, easily readable message logs. I don't trust ChatGPT but I'm not get responses from anyone else.

These messages are very important. I want to know if these folders contain human readable data (that I don't have to be a meta employee to view)? I can't just check because I need to get this old computer repaired first and if this data is not stored in the folders in a readable way to a non-meta employee repairing the old computer is not going to be worth it.

roman-demian

Hi there @ConfusedConstantine
I’ll be honest with you, your chances of recovering anything meaningful are extremely low (possibly nonexistent).
Even if the browser cached something, it would most likely be things like images, scripts or style files, not actual message content. Browsers don't typically store full conversations in their cache, especially not in a way that's readable like a text log. And the idea that this cache has stayed untouched and intact for over five years is also pretty unlikely.

Also, these cached files (if they even exist) aren’t just regular files you can open and read. You’d need special tools to process and parse them properly, and even then, you’d need technical skills and a lot of time for very little payoff. From what I’ve seen and read, it’s probably not worth the effort.

So, repairing the old computer just for this purpose probably isn’t worth the cost or energy, unless you have other reasons to restore the machine.

I know that’s not the answer you were hoping for, but I hope it helps clarify things before you invest more into it.