How to back up Edge bookmarks (favorites) and restore them

Applies to: Microsoft Edge on Windows 11, Windows 10 and macOS. Menu names can move slightly between Edge versions.

Method 1: Export favorites to an HTML file

This is the best one-off backup, for example before resetting Windows or moving to a new PC.

1. Open Edge and press Ctrl + Shift + O, or type edge://favorites in the address bar and press Enter.
2. Select More options (…) at the top of the Favorites page or pane.
3. Choose Export favorites.
4. Pick a folder, keep or change the file name (it starts with favorites_ and the date) and select Save.

The file is a standard bookmarks HTML file with every folder and link, including the Favorites bar and Other favorites. It doesn’t include passwords, history or open tabs; export those separately if you need them.

Method 2: Turn on sync with your Microsoft account

Sync keeps a copy of your favorites in your Microsoft account, so they come back as soon as you sign in on another PC or after reinstalling Windows.

1. Select your profile picture at the top right of Edge and choose Sign in to sync data (or go to Settings and more > Settings > Profiles and sign in).
2. Go to Settings and more > Settings > Profiles > Sync.
3. Make sure sync is on and the Favorites toggle is turned on.

Sync isn’t a true backup: if you delete a favorite, it’s deleted everywhere. Keep an exported HTML file as well before big changes. On a work account, your organization may turn sync off.

Method 3: Copy the Bookmarks file

Edge keeps favorites for each profile in a file named Bookmarks (no extension). For the default profile on Windows it’s in:

%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default

Paste that path into File Explorer, close Edge, and copy the Bookmarks file somewhere safe. Other profiles use folders such as Profile 1 instead of Default. This is handy when Edge won’t start (see Microsoft Edge won’t open), but the HTML export is easier to restore and works in other browsers.

How to restore or import the backup

From an HTML file:

1. Go to Settings and more > Settings > Profiles and select Import browser data.
2. Next to Import browser data now, select Import.
3. In Import from, choose Favorites or bookmarks HTML file.
4. Select Choose file, pick your backup, then Open and Done.

The favorites usually appear in a new folder on the Favorites bar, which may be called Imported. Drag them where you want them.

From a copied Bookmarks file: close Edge completely, rename the current Bookmarks file in the profile folder to Bookmarks.old, paste your copy in its place and reopen Edge. If sync is on, turn it off first, or sync may overwrite the restored copy.

Tips for a safe backup

• Save the HTML file to OneDrive, a USB drive or another PC, not only the same disk. If OneDrive gives errors, see OneDrive error code 0x8004de40.
• Export again after adding a lot of new favorites; the file is a snapshot, not a live copy.
• Before uninstalling or repairing Edge, export first. Removal problems are covered in Can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge.

Related guides

• Microsoft Edge won’t open: how to fix it
• Can’t uninstall Microsoft Edge: what you can do
• OneDrive error code 0x8004de40: how to fix it

Official sources: for more detail, see these Microsoft pages:

• Microsoft Support: Import your favorites and passwords in Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Support: Sign in to sync Microsoft Edge across devices
• Microsoft Support: Organize favorites in Microsoft Edge

Frequently asked questions

Are Edge bookmarks and favorites the same thing?

Yes. Edge calls bookmarks favorites, and the export file works as a normal bookmarks file in other browsers.

Can I open the exported file without Edge?

Yes. Double-click it to open it in any browser as a clickable list of links, or import it into Chrome or Firefox.

Does resetting Edge delete my favorites?

Resetting Edge settings is designed to keep favorites, history and saved passwords, but export them first anyway in case something goes wrong.

How do I back up favorites from a PC that won’t start?

Connect the drive to another PC, or boot from a recovery USB, and copy the Bookmarks file from that user’s profile folder as in Method 3.