Here’s how to view your entire Facebook history (be careful what you wish for)

Facebook knows what you did last summer.

And the one before that. And the one before that. Heck, ever since you signed up to the most powerful social network on the web, it's been harvesting information about you; a little nudge to ask you where you went to school, another asking about your last job, who your cousin is, what music you like, which films you love.

Most of it will probably have slipped your mind, replaced by more important information like which Game of Thrones characters are actually still alive. But were you aware that you can take a trip down your digital memory lane with the help of a Facebook tool hidden in the depths of its settings?

Here's how to view your entire Facebook log - and boy do we mean entire. All your Facebook chats, every image you ever posted, every status update, even pokes for crying out loud - it's the digital equivalent of having your whole life flash before your eyes.

Don't say we didn't warn you...

Head to settings

First, you're going to want to click the little drop down arrow in the top right corner of your screen.

From here, you'll want to click 'Settings'. Obviously. 

Time to download the data

Under 'General' you'll see a small link for 'Download a copy of your Facebook data'.

Give this a click - don't worry, it won't start downloading anything straight away. 

You'll get two emails

Having requested your data, you'll be presented with this page. 

Head over to the email associated with your Facebook account and you should find a confirmation email, providing you with a link to find out what sort of stuff you're about to be provided with (it's all pretty dry).

The party doesn't get started until you receive the second email, which will provide you with a link to download your personal archive. Give that a click and boom - you'll have all your Facebook history in one neat little folder.

Get exploring, and whatever you do, suppress the urge to get back in touch with that holiday fling that never messaged you back in 2009.