How to import and export browser bookmarks or favorites

Updated: 09/12/2023 by Computer Hope
Bookmark example

Most users have a preferred Internet browser. However, they may want to try out a different browser or switch to a new one permanently. Like moving to a different residence, users like to take their things with them. In this case: their Internet bookmarks or favorites. Learn how to import your bookmarks or favorites from or export them to another browser by selecting your browser from the following list.

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge logo
  1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
  2. In the upper-right corner of the screen, click the More icon in Edge. icon.
  3. Select Favorites from the drop-down menu.
  4. In the Favorites window, click the kebab menu icon.

Kebab menu in the Favorites section of Edge.

Import favorites from another browser

  1. Select Import favorites from the drop-down menu.

Import favorites selector in Edge.

  1. In the prompt, choose a browser to import favorites from (A). Then, check the box next to Favorites or bookmarks (B) and click the Import button (C).

Importing favorites or bookmarks in Edge.

Import favorites from a file

  1. Select Import favorites from the drop-down menu.

Import favorites selector in Edge.

  1. In the Import browser data window, click the down arrow Down arrow in Edge. on the right side of the box under the Import from section.
  2. Select Favorites or bookmarks HTML file from the drop-down menu and click the Choose file button.

Importing browser data in Edge.

  1. Locate the saved favorites file and click the Open button button.

Export favorites to a file

  1. Select Export favorites from the drop-down menu.

Export favorites selector in Edge.

  1. Choose a file save location and click the Save button in Internet Explorer. button.

Microsoft Edge Legacy

Microsoft Edge Legacy logo
  1. Open the Microsoft Edge Legacy browser.
  2. In the upper-right corner of the screen, click the More icon in Edge. icon.
  3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.

Selector for the Settings menu in Microsoft Edge.

  1. Under the Import favorites and other info section, click the Import from another browser button.

Import from another browser in Microsoft Edge.

Import favorites from another browser

On the next screen, select the browser you want to import bookmarks from (A) and click the Import button (B). If you're successful in importing your bookmarks, there is an "All done!" confirmation message (C).

How to import favorites from another browser in Microsoft Edge.

Export to or import from a file

Saving favorites as an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) file is a convenient way to back up, move, or restore them. Click either button and then save or locate a previously saved file.

Buttons to import or export favorites.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer logo

Internet Explorer versions 11 users

  1. Open the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser.
  2. In the upper-right corner of the screen, click the Tools icon in Microsoft Internet Explorer. icon.
  3. In the menu, click the down arrow next to the Add to favorites button in Microsoft Internet Explorer. drop-down.
  4. From the drop-down menu, select Import and Export.

Import and export selector in Internet Explorer.

  1. In the Import/Export Settings menu, choose whether you want to import from another browser, import from a file, or export to a file (A), and click Next button in Internet Explorer. (B).

Import and export selectors in Internet Explorer.

Import favorites from another browser

  1. After you click the Next button in Internet Explorer. button, you see a list of browsers from which you can import bookmarks.
  2. Check the box next to the browser whose bookmarks you want to import.
  3. Click the Import button in Internet Explorer. button, and then the Finish button in Internet Explorer. button.

Import favorites from a file

  1. After you click the Next button in Internet Explorer. button, you see three options on the screen. These describe from where the bookmarks file is imported.

Menu that the user select the location of imported bookmarks.

  1. Check the box next to each location you're interested in, then click the Next button in Internet Explorer. button.
  2. Click the Browse button in Internet Explorer. button and find the location where you're importing the file.
  3. Once you've located the file, choose the import location and click the Import button in Internet Explorer. button.

Location where the user wants bookmarks.

  1. Click the Finish button in Internet Explorer. button.

Export favorites to a file

  1. After you click the Next button in Internet Explorer. button, you see a list of locations where you can export your favorites.

Menu that the user select the location of imported bookmarks.

  1. After choosing your desired location, click the Next button in Internet Explorer. button.
  2. Click the Browse button in Internet Explorer. button and find the location where you're exporting the file.
  3. Once you've chosen where to save your file, click the Save button in Internet Explorer. button.
  4. Click the Export button in Internet Explorer. button and then the Finish button in Internet Explorer. button.

Internet Explorer 5 to 8 backing up favorites

  1. In Internet Explorer, click the File menu and select Import and Export.
  2. In the Import and Export window, click Next.
  3. Click Export Favorites and click Next.
  4. Select the folder you want to backup. To backup all favorites, leave the Favorites folder highlighted and click Next.
  5. Select the destination where you want to save your favorites and click Next.
  6. Click Finish.

Internet Explorer 5 to 8 recovering backup files from an IE or Netscape backup

  1. In Internet Explorer, click the File menu and Import and Export.
  2. In the Import and Export window, click Next.
  3. Click Import Favorites and click Next.
  4. Select the location containing your favorites and click Next.
  5. Select where you want to save your favorites and click Next.
  6. Click Finish.

Google Chrome

Chrome 2
Note

Chrome is unique in that all your settings and bookmarks are tied to your Google account and backed up automatically.

  1. Open the Google Chrome browser.
  2. In the upper-right corner of the window, click the Menu icon in Google Chrome. icon.
  3. Move your mouse over Bookmarks.

Selector for Bookmarks in Chrome.

Import bookmarks from another browser

  1. Select Import bookmarks and settings.

Menu that allows users to import bookmarks and settings in Chrome.

  1. From the drop-down menu, choose the browser you want to import bookmarks from (A), and click the IMPORT button (B).

Menu that allows users to import bookmarks from another browser.

  1. If your import is successful, a confirmation screen is displayed.

Confirmation screen for a successful bookmark import.

  1. Click DONE to finish.

Import from or export to a file

  1. Select Bookmark manager.

Bookmark manager in Chrome.

  1. In the Bookmarks manager, click Menu icon in Google Chrome. in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  2. Select either Import bookmarks or Export bookmarks.

Menu that allows users to import or export bookmarks.

  1. Click either selector and then Save button in Windows 10. to export or Open button in Windows 10. to import a previously-saved file.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox logo
  1. Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.
  2. Click the Library icon Firefox menu in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
  3. In the Library menu, select Bookmarks.

Library menu in Firefox.

  1. At the bottom of the window, select Manage bookmarks.

Button to show bookmarks in Firefox.

  1. In the window, click Import and Backup.

Selector for import and backup in Firefox.

Import bookmarks from another browser

  1. Select Import Data from Another Browser.

Selector that allows users to import bookmarks from another browser.

  1. Choose the browser you want to import bookmarks from (A), and click Next (B).

Menu from which users may select the browser to import bookmarks.

Export bookmarks to a file

  1. Select Export Bookmarks to HTML.

Selector to export bookmarks in Firefox.

  1. Choose a location to save your bookmarks file, then click the Save button in Firefox. button.

Import bookmarks from a file

  1. Select Import Bookmarks from HTML.
  1. Choose a location to save your bookmarks file, then click the Open button in Mozilla Firefox. buttonSelector to export bookmarks in Firefox..

Opera

Opera logo
  1. Open the Opera browser.
  2. In the upper-left corner of the browser window, click the Menu button in Opera. button.
  3. In the drop-down menu, move your mouse cursor over Bookmarks.

Selector for bookmarks in Opera.

Import bookmarks from another browser

  1. Select Import bookmarks and settings.

Import bookmarks selector for Opera.

  1. In the new menu, select the browser you want to import bookmarks from (A), then click Import (B).

Menu to select where to import bookmarks from.

  1. If your import is successful, you see a confirmation message. Click Done.

Successful import of bookmarks in Opera.

Export bookmarks to a file

  1. Select Export bookmarks.

Selector for exporting bookmarks in Opera.

  1. Browse to the location you want to save your bookmarks, then click the Save button in Opera. button.

Netscape

Netscape logo
Note

By default, Netscape saves your bookmarks as bookmarks.html.

Netscape Communicator and Netscape 7.0 and above backing up bookmarks

  1. In Netscape, click Bookmarks and then Manage Bookmarks, or press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+B.
  2. In the Bookmark Manager, click Tools, then click Export.
  3. Select the location where you want to export the file and click OK.

Netscape Communicator and Netscape 7.0 and above recovering backup files from Netscape backup or Internet Explorer

  1. Within Netscape, click Bookmarks and Manage Bookmarks, or press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+B.
  2. In the Bookmark Manager, click Tools, then Import.
  3. Select the file you want to import and click Open.

Safari

Safari logo

Export bookmarks

  1. Open the Safari browser.
  2. Click the file menu.
  3. Select the Export Bookmarks option. By default, Safari saves your bookmarks as Safari Bookmarks.html.

Import bookmarks from Chrome or Firefox

  1. Open the Safari browser.
  2. Click the file menu.
  3. Select the Import From option.
  4. Select the Google Chrome or File option.
  5. Select the Import From option.
  6. Select either Chrome or Firefox. Bookmarks are pulled from the Chrome or Firefox browser on your computer.

Import bookmarks from HTML bookmarks backup

  1. Open the Safari browser.
  2. Click the file menu.
  3. Select the Import From option.
  4. Select the Bookmarks HTML File option.
  5. Find and select the HTML bookmarks file on your computer. The bookmarks are imported and located in a new folder having a name starting with "Imported" followed by the import date.