Backing up your browser favorites (bookmarks) is important when migrating to a new computer, reinstalling Windows, or just keeping a safe copy of your frequently visited websites. This tutorial covers how to back up and restore favorites/bookmarks in modern browsers: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Brave.
Backing Up Microsoft Edge Favorites
The new Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) stores favorites in a database file but also supports easy export:
- Open Edge and go to Settings → Profiles → Import or Export.
- Click Export Favorites and save the resulting HTML file to a backup location (USB drive, cloud storage, etc.).
Optional manual backup: Navigate to %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default and copy the file named Bookmarks to your backup location.
Restoring Microsoft Edge Favorites
- Open Edge and go to Settings → Profiles → Import or Export.
- Click Import Favorites and select your previously exported HTML file.
For manual restores, close Edge, replace the Bookmarks file in %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default with your backup copy, and restart Edge.
Backing Up Google Chrome Favorites
- Open Chrome, click the three dots menu → Bookmarks → Bookmark Manager.
- Click Organize → Export bookmarks and save the HTML file to your backup location.
Restoring Google Chrome Favorites
- Open Chrome, go to Bookmarks → Bookmark Manager → Organize → Import bookmarks.
- Select your exported HTML file, and your bookmarks will be restored.
Backing Up Mozilla Firefox Favorites
- Open Firefox, click the Library (books icon) → Bookmarks → Show All Bookmarks.
- Click Import and Backup → Backup and save the .json file to your backup location.
Restoring Mozilla Firefox Favorites
- Open Firefox, go to Library → Bookmarks → Show All Bookmarks → Import and Backup → Restore → Choose File.
- Select your backup .json file to restore all bookmarks.
Backing Up Brave Favorites
- Open Brave, go to Bookmarks → Bookmark Manager → Organize → Export bookmarks.
- Save the HTML file to your backup location.
Restoring Brave Favorites
- Open Brave, go to Bookmarks → Bookmark Manager → Organize → Import bookmarks.
- Select your previously exported HTML file, and your bookmarks will be restored.
By following these steps, you can safely back up, restore, and transfer bookmarks across all major modern browsers, ensuring your important websites are always accessible.