Windows 7: Internet Explorer - Import and Export Favorites

   Information

Favorites, also known as bookmarks or internet shortcuts, are a convenient way to organize and find webpages that you visit frequently.

This will show you how to export (backup) or import (restore) your URL webpage favorites in Internet Explorer or Windows Explorer to use as a backup, or import into another computer or user account.

Favorites from previous versions of Internet Explorer can be imported into this version.

   Note

A user's favorites are located in their C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites folder.

OPTION ONE

Import or Export Favorites in Windows Explorer

1. In Windows Explorer, navigate to the C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites folder and open it. (see screenshot below)

2. To Export Favorties in Windows Explorer

A) Select the favorites (internet shortcuts and/or folders) that you want to export, then copy and paste them into a new folder (named what you like). (see screenshot below step 3)

B) This new folder is your exported favorites. Save it to where you like for safe keeping.

3. To Import Favorites in Windows Explorer

A) Copy and Paste the favorites (internet shortcuts and/or folders) that you want to import from the exported new folder (step 2) into your C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites folder. (see screenshot below)

OPTION TWO

Export (Backup) Favorites in Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer.
NOTE: In Windows 8, you would open the IE10 desktop version, and not the IE10 Metro (Windows UI) version.

2. Click/tap on File (Menu bar) and on Import and export. (see screenshot below)

3. Select (dot) Export to a file, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

4. Check Favorites, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

5. Select a favorites folder the you want to export your favorites from, then click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Selecting the top Favorites folder will export all of your favorites.

6. Browse to the location that you want to save the exported bookmark.htm file to, type in a name (ex: bookmark.htm) for the .htm file, and click/tap on Save. Click/tap on Export. (see screenshots below)

7. Click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)

8. You can now use this exported bookmark.htm file to select and import your favorites with.

OPTION THREE

Import (Restore) Favorites in Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer.
NOTE: In Windows 8, you would open the IE10 desktop version, and not the IE10 Metro (Windows UI) version.

2. Click/tap on File (Menu bar) and on Import and export. (see screenshot below)

3. Select (dot) Import from a file, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

4. Check Favorites, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

5. Browse to the location of the exported bookmark.htm file that you want to import, select the .htm file, and click/tap on Open. (see screenshots below)

6. Select a favorites folder (ex: Favorites) that you want to import your exported favorites to, then click/tap on Import. (see screenshot below)

7. Click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)