How to use Yahoo Message Archive Decoder?

Step 1 - If you want to see Message Archive files stored in your system (in the Yahoo! Messenger installation folder):

• Select the Yahoo! username whose archive you want to view in the "Select Username" box.
• Select "Private Messages", "Conferences" or "SMS" in the "Select Type" box.
• Press "Next" button.
• Select a username with whom the message archive owner was talking, or select ""
• Press "-- View!" button, and the conversation will be displayed.

Step 2 - If you have .dat or .hst files taken from another computer, archives from your backup, or a computer in your network:

• Click the "Browse" button on the below portion of the program (below the ---OR--- line).
• You can "Select a file" to select a single .dat or .hst file, or "Select a folder" to decode all .dat or .hst files inside the folder.
• Fill in the "Username of the Owner of the Message Archive", it is very important.
• Optionally, fill in the "Username of the Responder".
• Click "Decode!" to view the message archive.

Step 3 - If you have a full "profile" folder structure (e.g. taken from a criminal's computer or one that resides on a shared folder):

• Select "(Other folder...)" in the "Select Username" box.
• You will be asked to select either "Messages", "Conferences" or "Mobile Messages" folder. Browse and select it. (Tip: Use the "My Network Places" -> "Entire Network" to browse shared folders)
• Fill in the username of the message archive owner in the dialog box. Remember to fill it in correctly, or the files will not be decoded correctly.
• Select a username with whom the message archive owner was talking, or select ""
• Press "-> View!" button, and the conversation will be displayed.

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Yahoo Message Archive Decoder

Yahoo Message Archive Decoder is a software that reads Yahoo! Messenger archive files (.dat files) and presents them in a format that you can read. It is called decoding. Free to try it.