To save your favorites from Microsoft Edge, open the browser and click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner. Select Favorites from the list. In the new menu that pops up, click the three dots located inside that specific window. Choose Export favorites from the options. Finally, pick a folder on your computer to save the file and click Save. You now have a backup HTML file that contains all your saved links.
How to export bookmarks in Edge – step by step
Moving your saved links does not have to be hard. These steps will help you create a file that holds all your favorite websites. You can use this file to move your data to a new computer or just keep it for safety.
Step 1: Open the Microsoft Edge browser on your computer.
You need to launch the program to access your settings. Look for the blue and green wave icon on your desktop or taskbar. If you cannot find it there, you can search for Edge in your Start menu.
Step 2: Click on the three dots icon in the top right corner of the window.
This button opens the main menu for the browser. It is located right next to your profile picture. When you hover your mouse over it, it might say “Settings and more.”
Step 3: Select the Favorites option from the list that appears.
This will show you all the websites you have saved previously. It usually has a star icon next to it. You can also use a keyboard shortcut like Control plus Shift plus O to open this directly.
Step 4: Click the three dots icon located inside the Favorites menu popup.
This is a different menu button than the first one you clicked. It gives you specific options just for managing your saved links. It is usually found at the top of the Favorites window.
Step 5: Choose Export favorites from the drop-down menu.
This tells the browser you want to pack up your data. It prepares a file that other browsers can understand. Make sure you do not click Import by mistake.
Step 6: Name the file and click Save to store it on your device.
You will see a file explorer window pop up. Pick a folder where you can find the file later, like your Documents or Desktop. The file will be saved as an HTML document.
After you complete these steps, you will see a new file appear in the folder you chose. This file is not a regular web page. It is a list of code that contains the addresses for every site you bookmarked. You can keep this file on a USB drive or email it to yourself. If your computer crashes or you buy a new one, you can use this file to get your links back instantly.
Tips for how to export bookmarks in edge
- Organize your folders before you start the export process.
- Rename the file with the current date so you know when you made the backup.
- Save the HTML file to a cloud service like OneDrive or Google Drive for extra safety.
- Check for broken or dead links in your list before you export them.
- Remember that your saved passwords are not included in this bookmark file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I export passwords with my bookmarks?
No, the export feature only saves your web links. Passwords are sensitive data. They require a different export process through the settings menu to keep them secure.
What file format does Edge use for exports?
Edge creates an HTML file. This is a standard web page format. Almost every web browser in the world can read and import this type of file.
Can I do this on my mobile phone?
The mobile app works differently than the desktop version. You usually need to sync your phone to a computer first. Then you can export the file from the desktop browser.
Will exporting remove my bookmarks from Edge?
No, exporting just makes a copy of your data. Your original links stay right where they are in the browser. You can continue using them normally after the export.
How often should I backup my bookmarks?
It is smart to do this once a month. If you save new sites every day, you might want to do it weekly. This ensures you never lose important information.
Summary
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click the main menu icon.
- Select Favorites.
- Click the options icon inside the Favorites menu.
- Select Export favorites.
- Save the HTML file to your computer.
Conclusion
Taking control of your digital life is a great feeling. We often take our saved websites for granted. We assume they will always be there when we click that star button. However, computers can fail and software can glitch. That is why learning how to create a backup is so important. Think of your bookmarks as a personal library. You have spent months or even years curating this collection. It holds recipes you want to cook and articles you need to read. It holds the login pages for your bills and your favorite entertainment sites.
Losing this collection would be a major headache. It would take a long time to find all those pages again. By following the simple steps above, you have created an insurance policy for your browsing history. This HTML file is a universal key. It allows you to walk away from Edge and move to Chrome, Firefox, or Safari without missing a beat. You are no longer tied to just one piece of software.
Make it a habit to update this file now and then. Put a reminder on your calendar to do it every few months. It only takes a few seconds to do. Yet, it saves you hours of frustration down the road. You now know exactly how to export bookmarks in edge, giving you the freedom and security you deserve as a web user. Keep exploring the web and saving what you love, knowing your data is safe and sound.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.