How to Import Bookmarks from Edge to Edge: Quick Guide

To move your favorites from one Microsoft Edge browser to another, you first need to export them. Go to your Favorites menu, click the three dots, and select โ€œExport favorites.โ€ Save the HTML file to your computer. Next, open the new Edge browser where you want the bookmarks. Go to the same menu but choose โ€œImport favoritesโ€ this time. Select โ€œFavorites or bookmarks HTML fileโ€ and pick the file you just saved. Your saved sites will appear instantly.

Tutorial โ€“ How to Import Bookmarks from Edge to Edge

Moving your saved websites does not have to be a headache. This guide shows you the manual method using a file transfer. It works perfectly even if the computers are not connected to the internet.

Step 1: Open the favorites menu in your original Edge browser.

You need to start by finding the star icon on your toolbar. It is usually located near the top right corner of the screen. Clicking this button reveals the list of all the websites you have saved over time.

Step 2: Click the three dots to open the options menu.

Look at the top of the favorites window that just popped up. You will see an icon that looks like three periods in a horizontal line. This is the โ€œMore optionsโ€ button that holds the tools we need today.

Step 3: Select the export favorites option from the list.

A menu drops down when you click those dots. Scan through the list until you find the word โ€œExport.โ€ Clicking this tells the browser you want to pack up your data.

Step 4: Save the HTML file to a location you can find easily.

Your computer will ask you where to put this new file. I recommend choosing the Desktop or Documents folder so you do not lose it. Give it a name like โ€œEdge Backupsโ€ so you know exactly what is inside.

Step 5: Open the new Edge browser on the destination device.

Now you must switch gears to the place where you want the bookmarks to go. If this is a different computer, you might need to email the file to yourself first. You could also use a USB drive to move the file over.

Step 6: Navigate to the import favorites menu in the new browser.

Go back to that star icon and the three dots menu just like you did before. This time, you are looking for a different command. Click on โ€œImport favoritesโ€ to start the process of bringing your data in.

Step 7: Choose the option to import from an HTML file.

A new window will appear with a dropdown menu asking where the data is coming from. Change the setting to say โ€œFavorites or bookmarks HTML file.โ€ This tells Edge to look for the specific document you created earlier.

Step 8: Select your file and click open to finish the transfer.

Click the button that says โ€œChoose fileโ€ and navigate to where you saved your backup. Once you click โ€œOpen,โ€ the browser reads the file immediately. You will see a success message telling you everything is done.

Once you finish these steps, your browser will look a little different. You will see a new folder appear in your favorites bar. This folder usually contains all the links you just brought over. You can now drag and drop them to organize them however you like.

Tips for how to import bookmarks from edge to edge

  • You should always check your HTML file size to make sure it is not zero bytes, which would mean it is empty.
  • If you have a Microsoft account, you can simply sign in to both browsers to sync data without using files.
  • It is smart to delete old or broken links before you export so you do not move junk to your new browser.
  • You can rename the HTML file with todayโ€™s date so you know exactly when you made the backup.
  • Keep a copy of your bookmarks file on a cloud storage drive like OneDrive or Google Drive for safety.

Frequently asked questions about edge bookmarks

Can I import bookmarks from a different browser like Chrome?

Yes, the process is actually very similar to what we just did. Instead of selecting an HTML file, you can choose Chrome directly from the import menu. Edge creates a bridge and pulls the data over for you.

Will my saved passwords transfer with the bookmarks?

No, exporting your favorites only moves the website links. Passwords are kept in a separate secure area of the browser. You have to export passwords separately if you want to move them via a file.

Why do the icons look blank after I import them?

When you first move your links, the small pictures next to the names might be missing. These are called favicons. They will reappear one by one as you visit each website again.

Where did my imported bookmarks go?

They often hide inside a folder specifically named โ€œImported.โ€ Check the end of your favorites bar or look in the โ€œOther favoritesโ€ folder. You can drag them out of there and put them on the main bar.

Can I use this method to move bookmarks to a phone?

The mobile version of Edge works a bit differently. It is much easier to sign in with your Microsoft account on the phone. This will sync everything wirelessly without needing to handle HTML files.

Summary

  1. Step 1: Open the favorites menu in your original Edge browser.
  2. Step 2: Click the three dots to open the options menu.
  3. Step 3: Select the export favorites option from the list.
  4. Step 4: Save the HTML file to a location you can find easily.
  5. Step 5: Open the new Edge browser on the destination device.
  6. Step 6: Navigate to the import favorites menu in the new browser.
  7. Step 7: Choose the option to import from an HTML file.
  8. Step 8: Select your file and click open to finish the transfer.

Conclusion

Managing your digital life is an important skill to have. We spend so much time online that our bookmarks become like a map of our brain. They show where we like to shop, what we like to read, and the tools we use for work. Losing this data can be incredibly frustrating. It feels like losing your keys or your wallet. That is why knowing how to move this data manually is so valuable.

You do not have to rely on automatic cloud syncing features if you do not want to. Sometimes technology fails, or you might be moving data between a work computer and a home computer that cannot link accounts. The manual file method is reliable and safe. It gives you total control over your information. It acts as a snapshot of your internet life at that specific moment.

I recommend you do this process periodically just to have a backup. Save that HTML file on a USB drive or an external hard drive. If your computer crashes tomorrow, you will be very happy you did. You can get back up and running on a new machine in minutes. Now that you know how to import bookmarks from edge to edge, you can browse with confidence. You know your favorite sites are always safe and portable.

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