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How can I backup and restore my browser bookmarks and favorites?

Matthew Carver
  • Updated

When a computer is wiped and reset it is not uncommon for people to suddenly realize that their favorites/bookmarked (or, "saved webpages) in their favorite browsers are no longer there when they return.  Oh No!  Or, maybe you want to move your favorites from one browser to another?  How?

These favorites are stored on the local computer if you do not sync them in the cloud.  (Most major browsers allow you to sync your bookmarks now, so it is a good idea!  Check it and you won't need the following!)

Below is content that was compiled by another user at Computer Hope and offers a very helpful index.  I have edited their content to match our needs.  Find your browser from the most common ones below and follow the instructions.  Head to the original article for more browsers.

Note:  Before any of the following, all users are encouraged to make sure their browsers are up-to-date. 

 

Microsoft Edge

How to backup your favorites in Microsoft Edge

  1. Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).
  2. Type (or copy) the following into the bar at the top of the screen and then press Enter:

%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\Default

  1. Copy the DataStore folder and paste or move it to a safe location (e.g. a to your OneDrive).

 

How to restore your favorites in Microsoft Edge

  1. If the Microsoft Edge browser is open, close it.
  2. Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).
  3. Type the following into the bar at the top of the screen and then press Enter:

%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\Default

  1. Locate the backup copy of the DataStore folder you created earlier (discussed in step three in the previous section).
  2. Copy the DataStore folder and paste or move it over the folder listed under step three.
  3. If a window appears that says Replace or Skip Files, choose Replace the files in the destination.
  4. Your bookmarks should be restored next time you open Microsoft Edge.

 

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Note: By default, Microsoft Internet Explorer saves your bookmarks to a file named bookmark.htm.

Internet Explorer versions 9 and above users backing up favorites.
  1. Click the Favorites icon      in the upper right corner.
  2. Click the down arrow next to Add to favorites (or press Alt+Z on your keyboard as a shortcut).
  3. Select Import and export in the pop-up menu.
  4. In the Import/Export Settings window, select Export to a file and click Next.
  5. Check the box for Favorites and click Next.
  6. Select the folder of favorites you want to export and click Next.
  7. Click the Browse button to select where to save the favorites file on your computer and click OK.
  8. Click the Export button to backup the favorites, then click Finish.

 

Internet Explorer versions 9 and above restoring favorites with a backup file.

  1. Click the Favorites icon  in the upper right corner.
  2. Click the down arrow next to Add to favorites (or press Alt+Z on your keyboard as a shortcut).
  3. Select Import and export in the pop-up menu.
  4. In the Import/Export Settings window, select Import from a file and click Next.
  5. Check the box for Favorites and click Next.
  6. Click the Browse button to find and select the backup favorites file on your computer and click OK.
  7. Select a favorites folder to import the backup favorites into.
  8. Click the Import button to restore the favorites, then click Finish.

Internet Explorer versions 9 and above importing favorites from another browser.

  1. Click the Favorites icon  in the upper right corner.
  2. Click the down arrow next to Add to favorites (or press Alt+Z on your keyboard as a shortcut).
  3. Select Import and export in the pop-up menu.
  4. In the Import/Export Settings window, select Import from another browser and click Next.
  5. Check the box for the browser of where you are importing your favorites.
  6. Click the Import button to import the favorites, then click Finish.

Tip: Importing favorites from another browser will place those favorites in a folder named Other bookmarks within the Favorites list.


 

Mozilla Firefox

Backing up bookmarks in recent versions of Firefox

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
  2. Click the Bookmarks icon Show bookmarks in Firefox. and then Show All Bookmarks.
  3. In the Library window, under the All Bookmarks section, select which set of bookmarks you'd like to back up.
  4. At the top of the window, click Import and Backup.
  5. In the drop-down menu that appears, select Export bookmarks to HTML.
  6. Save the exported bookmarks HTML file to online storage like OneDrive

 

Recovering bookmarks in recent versions of Firefox

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
  2. Click the Bookmarks icon Show bookmarks in Firefox 2 and then Show All Bookmarks.
  3. In the Library window, under the All Bookmarks section, select which set of bookmarks you'd like to back up.
  4. At the top of the window, click Import and Backup.
  5. In the drop-down menu that appears, select Import bookmarks from HTML.
  6. Browse to where your bookmarks HTML file is saved (online storage or USB drive).
  7. Select the file and then click Open.

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