How to download your entire Google search history

Google users can now download their entire Web search history to a desktop, according to instructions posted on the company's support site.

"This gives you access to your data when and where you want," Google wrote about the service.

Google search history has been available to users for a long time, but the ability for individuals to download all of the data at once was released in January, according to Google spokesman Jason Freidenfelds.

The service was first reported by an unofficial, third party blog called "Google Operating System" on April 18 and picked up traction online, according to reports.

How to do it in four steps

1. Go to your Google Web history. (You will need to log-in to your account)

2. Click the gear icon on the top right corner and select "download."

3. A box will pop up that says "Please read this carefully, it's not the usual yada yada."

It warns users that the data contains sensitive information and it's important to store it securely. If you decide to download the information, hit "create archive."

4. You'll get an email confirmation that includes a link to the data. The data are stored in your Google Drive in "Takeout folders," which can be downloaded to a desktop.

It's not the same as deleting

Downloading a user's Google search history does not delete it. If an individual wants to delete his or her Web search history, Google offers steps on its support site to control what is saved.

If an individual does decide to delete information, the data will no longer be linked to his or her account, but it may be saved by the company "to prevent spam and abuse and to improve our services," according to Google.

Follow @lagrisham on Twitter