How to Back Up Favorites in Edge

Exporting your favorites creates a portable copy of your saved links. You can store it on another drive or in a secure cloud folder, then import it into Edge if you change computers, reinstall the browser, or need to restore a deleted collection. The menu labels and layout can vary slightly by Edge version, but the export option is in the Favorites controls.

Before starting, decide where you will save the backup and make sure you can find it again. An exported file is a snapshot: it does not automatically update when you add, remove, or reorganize favorites. For ongoing access across devices, Edge sync is a separate option.

What You’ll Need

Microsoft Edge installed on the computer that has the favorites you want to back up.
A folder or storage location you can access later, such as a documents folder, external drive, or trusted cloud storage.
Optional: a second device or browser if you want to check that the backup can be imported.

Step-by-Step

Open Edge. Start Microsoft Edge on the device where your current favorites are saved. If you use several Edge profiles, check which profile is active; favorites are associated with a browser profile, so exporting from the wrong one may create an incomplete backup.
Open the Favorites panel. Select the star-and-lines Favorites button near the upper-right of the browser. If you do not see it, open the three-dot Settings and more menu and choose Favorites. The exact placement can differ slightly by version or toolbar setup.
Open the Favorites options. In the Favorites panel, select the three-dot menu or other more-options control. Look for an option named Export favorites. Do not choose an option that only adds the current page or opens the favorites management view.
Choose Export favorites. Select the export command. Edge opens a save dialog for the favorites file. If you cannot see the command in the panel, open the full Favorites management page from the same menu and look for its more-options control there.
Select a clear destination. Choose a folder you will remember, such as a dedicated browser-backups folder. To keep a copy outside the computer, save it to an external drive or a trusted cloud location. If the save dialog allows it, give the file a descriptive name such as Edge-favorites-backup.
Save and confirm the file. Complete the save dialog, then open File Explorer and check that the exported HTML file is present in the selected folder. You can usually open an HTML file in a browser to inspect its saved links, but do not edit it unless you understand the file structure.
Store a second copy if the favorites matter. Copy the file to a different storage location. A backup kept only on the same computer may be lost if that device or drive fails. Keep the copy in a place you can access without relying on the original device.
Refresh the backup periodically. Repeat the export after making important changes to your favorites. Edge does not update an existing export automatically, so use a new, clearly named file or replace the old one only after confirming the new file saved correctly.

To restore or move favorites, open Edge’s Favorites controls, choose the option to import favorites, and select the saved HTML file. If the import menu offers a source or file-type choice, select the HTML bookmarks file. Check the Favorites panel afterward to make sure the links and folders appeared.

Common Mistakes

Assuming sync is the same as a backup: Sync helps keep favorites consistent between devices signed in to the same account, but it is not a separate, dated export file. Accidental deletions or changes may sync too. Keep an exported file for an independent snapshot.
Exporting the wrong profile: A work, personal, or other Edge profile can have different favorites. Confirm the profile picture or profile name before exporting, and make separate backups if you need more than one profile.
Saving without checking the destination: The file may be saved to Downloads or another default folder rather than where you expected. Confirm the location and filename in the save dialog, then verify the file exists.
Keeping only one copy on the same device: A backup on the computer is useful for accidental browser changes but may not help if that computer becomes unavailable. Keep another copy in a separate location.
Expecting the backup to stay current: An export records favorites as they were when you made it. Export again after substantial updates.

Tips

Use a name that includes the profile or device and the date, so you can tell backups apart.
Before replacing an older backup, make sure the latest export completed and has a plausible file size.
Try importing a copy into a separate browser profile or another device if you need confidence that the file is usable. Avoid importing repeatedly into your main profile, since that can create duplicates.
For a computer you share, save the backup somewhere private and follow your organization’s rules for storing work bookmarks.
Consider both methods for different purposes: sync for convenience across devices, and export for a file you control and can keep separately.

Troubleshooting

Export favorites is missing: Open the full Favorites management page from the Favorites panel and inspect its more-options menu. Confirm that you are using Edge and that you have opened the right profile. Menu wording and placement may differ slightly by version.

The file is not where you expected: Check the save dialog’s selected folder and your Downloads folder. In File Explorer, search for the filename or for HTML files. Run the export again and explicitly choose a destination you can locate.

The exported file appears empty or incomplete: Reopen Edge and verify that the desired favorites are visible in the active profile. Export from that profile again. If favorites are managed by an organization or browser policy, ask the administrator whether export is restricted.

Import does not show the favorites: In Edge, choose the import option for favorites or bookmarks from an HTML file, then browse to the exact exported file. Make sure you select the HTML file rather than a folder. Check the Favorites panel and its folders after importing; items may have been placed in an imported-favorites folder.

Imported favorites are duplicated: Edge may add imported links alongside existing ones rather than replace them. Avoid importing the same file repeatedly. If you need a clean restore, review and organize the current favorites first, taking care not to delete anything you have not backed up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Edge automatically back up favorites?

Edge can sync favorites when sync is enabled for a signed-in profile, but sync is not the same as an independent export file. Export an HTML copy if you want a backup you can store separately.

Where does Edge save the exported favorites?

You choose the location in the save dialog. If you are unsure where the file went, check the folder shown in that dialog and your Downloads folder.

Can I use the backup on another computer?

Yes. Move the HTML file to the other computer, then use Edge’s import-favorites option to select it. You can also import an HTML bookmarks file into many other browsers.

Will importing replace my existing favorites?

Usually, importing adds the saved links to the current collection rather than replacing it. The result can include duplicates, so avoid importing the same backup multiple times.

How often should I export favorites?

Export after important changes or whenever you want a fresh snapshot. The file does not update automatically when your favorites change.

Can I back up favorites from multiple Edge profiles?

Yes, but export from each profile separately. Switch to the profile you want, confirm its favorites, and save each export with a distinct name.

Further reading: Microsoft Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.