Overview
Learn how to save (export) and restore (import) your browser favorites and bookmarks across Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. Following these steps ensures your saved sites and bookmarks are preserved when upgrading to Windows 11 or transitioning to a new computer.
Applies to: Faculty Staff
Before You Begin (Prerequisites)
- These instructions apply to desktop web browsers (Windows / macOS).
- Recommended Backup Locations: Save your exported bookmark files to your Network 'I' Drive or your Columbia College Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage so they remain accessible across devices.
Browser Guide
1 Export Edge Favorites to an HTML File
Back up your existing favorites from Microsoft Edge to an external HTML file.
●Open Microsoft Edge and click the Favorites icon in the upper right-hand corner of the browser.
●Click the ellipsis (…) icon at the top of the Favorites menu and select Export favorites.
●In the 'Save As' window, choose your Network 'I' Drive or OneDrive folder from the left-hand navigation pane and click Save.
2 Restore Favorites in Microsoft Edge
Import your saved HTML favorites file into Microsoft Edge on your new or upgraded device.
●In Microsoft Edge, click the Favorites icon in the upper right-hand corner.
●Click the ellipsis (…) icon and select Import favorites.
●Under the Edge settings page, locate the 'Import browser data' section and click Choose what to import under 'Import from other browsers'.
●From the 'Import from' dropdown menu, select Favorites or bookmarks HTML file and click Choose file.
●Locate and select the HTML file you previously saved to your network drive or OneDrive, then click Open. Your favorites are now restored.
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Browser Guide
1 Back Up Firefox Bookmarks to a JSON File
Create a backup archive of your Firefox bookmarks stored in JSON format.
●Open Firefox and click the Application Menu (three horizontal lines) in the upper right-hand corner, then select Bookmarks.
●At the bottom of the menu, select Manage Bookmarks (or press Ctrl+Shift+O).
●In the Library window, click Import and Backup in the top toolbar and select Backup...
●Save the JSON backup file to your Network 'I' Drive or OneDrive folder.
2 Restore Bookmarks in Mozilla Firefox
Restore your bookmarks from the saved JSON file on your new or upgraded machine.
●Open Firefox, click the Application Menu (three lines), and go to Bookmarks.
●Select Manage Bookmarks at the bottom of the list.
●In the Library window, click Import and Backup > Restore. If your backup file is not listed, click Choose File...
●Select your JSON backup file and click Open.
●When prompted by the confirmation dialog stating that current bookmarks will be replaced, click OK.
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Browser Guide
1 Export Chrome Bookmarks to an HTML File
Export your bookmarks from Google Chrome into a standalone HTML backup file.
●Open Google Chrome and click the Menu (three vertical dots) in the upper right-hand corner.
●Navigate to Bookmarks and lists > Bookmark manager (or press Ctrl+Shift+O).
●Inside Bookmark Manager, click the second vertical ellipsis (…) menu located in the top search bar area and select Export bookmarks.
●In the 'Save As' window, select your Network 'I' Drive or OneDrive folder and click Save.
2 Restore Bookmarks in Google Chrome
Import your saved HTML file into Google Chrome on your new or upgraded device.
●In Chrome, click the Menu (three vertical dots) and select Bookmarks and lists > Bookmark manager.
●Click the vertical ellipsis (…) in the upper right of the Bookmark Manager window and select Import bookmarks.
●Locate your saved HTML file in your network drive or OneDrive and click Open. Your bookmarks are now imported.
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Important Note on Network & Cloud Storage
Ensure you save your exported bookmark files directly to your 'I' Network Drive or Columbia College OneDrive rather than your local Desktop or Downloads folder. Local files will not be accessible once your device is re-imaged or replaced.
Support & Assistance
Get Help
Need additional assistance backing up or restoring your browser bookmarks?