FBCacheView is a free and lightweight utility developed by NirSoft, designed to scan the cache of popular web browsers, including Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. It retrieves and lists all Facebook images previously displayed while browsing. This includes profile pictures, uploaded photos, and external images embedded in Facebook posts.
Portable and Easy to Use
FBCacheView is easiest to use as it is a portable application. Just download the ZIP, extract it to a folder, and run FBCacheView from there. Once launched, FBCacheView scans the browser cache from the default user profiles of the supported web browsers. It does not support portable versions of Firefox or Chrome.
After scanning the cache, it presents a list of Facebook images along with essential details such as:
- Image URL
- Web browser used
- Image type (JPEG, PNG, etc.)
- Date and time of image retrieval
- Time of last visit
- File size
- External URL (if the image was sourced from another website)
The tool also provides a preview feature, allowing users to view images directly within the program before taking any further action.
User Interface and Options
Right-clicking on any image entry offers several options, including:
- Open Image in Web Browser: Directly view the image in your default browser.
- Open External URL: If the image originates from another website, this option lets you visit the source.
- Save Selected Items: Export the list of images or save specific images to a local directory.
- Copy Selected Items: Copy image details such as URLs and timestamps.
- Copy Image: Copy the actual image for use elsewhere.
Dependence on Browser Cache
FBCacheView’s functions are entirely based on the web browser’s cache. If the cache is cleared, the tool will no longer be able to retrieve images. Therefore, for the best results, do not clear your browser cache before running the tool. Also you should close all browsers before using FBCacheView, because an active browser session might interfere with cache access.
Practical Uses
FBCacheView can be useful in scenarios such as:
- Recovering recently viewed Facebook images without reloading the website.
- Tracking browsing history related to Facebook images.
- Investigating external sources of images shared on Facebook.
Conclusion
FBCacheView is a simple yet powerful tool for retrieving Facebook images stored in a web browser’s cache. With its easy-to-use interface and valuable data retrieval features, it serves as a handy solution for users who want to revisit previously viewed Facebook images without navigating through their browsing history. However, its reliance on browser cache means users must be mindful of cache-clearing habits.
You can download FBCacheView from https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/facebook_cache_viewer.html.