Losing saved bookmarks and passwords in your browser can be frustrating, especially when they contain important websites, login credentials, work resources, shopping accounts, and personal information. If you use Microsoft Edge as your primary browser, creating a backup of your bookmarks and passwords is one of the smartest things you can do.
A proper backup protects your data if your computer crashes, Windows gets reinstalled, your browser becomes corrupted, or you switch to a new device. It also makes it easier to restore everything without manually saving websites and passwords again.
Below, I have explained how to safely back up Edge bookmarks and passwords in an easy way.
Why You Should Back Up Edge Bookmarks & Passwords?
Many users assume their browser data is always safe, but that is not always true. Browser files can become damaged after updates, malware infections, hard drive failures, or accidental deletions. Without a backup, recovering saved data may become impossible.
Backing up your Edge browser data gives you several advantages:
- Bookmarks remain safe even if Windows is reinstalled.
- Passwords can be restored quickly when switching computers.
- Important websites stay organized without needing to remember them manually.
- Cloud sync problems become less risky because you still have offline copies.
- Data migration becomes easier when moving to another browser or device.
Creating backups regularly is a good habit for both personal and professional users.
Backup Edge Bookmarks & Passwords
Quick Steps to Back Up Edge Bookmarks & Passwords:
Backup Edge Bookmarks
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Open Favorites.
- Click the three-dot menu inside Favorites.
- Select Export Favorites.
- Save the HTML file to your computer or external drive.
Backup Edge Passwords
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click the three-dot menu.
- Open Settings.
- Select Profiles and then Passwords.
- Click the three-dot menu beside Saved Passwords.
- Choose Export Passwords.
- Confirm your Windows password or PIN.
- Save the CSV password file securely.
1: Open Microsoft Edge Settings
The first step is accessing the settings area where bookmark and password options are available.
Open Microsoft Edge from your desktop, taskbar, or Start menu. Once the browser launches, look at the upper-right corner of the window. You will see a three-dot menu icon. This menu contains most browser settings and tools.
Click the three-dot icon to open the dropdown menu. From there, select Settings. The settings page will open in a new tab.
Inside the settings panel, you will notice several categories on the left side, such as Profiles, Privacy, Appearance, and Downloads. Most backup-related options are located under the Profiles section because bookmarks, passwords, and sync settings are connected to your Edge profile.
If you are signed into a Microsoft account, your data may already be syncing online. However, creating a manual backup is still important because sync alone does not guarantee full protection.
2: Backup Edge Bookmarks Using Export Favorites
Bookmarks in Edge are stored inside the Favorites section. Exporting them creates an HTML file that can later be imported into Edge or another browser.
While inside Edge, click the three-dot menu again and select Favorites. You can also press Ctrl + Shift + O to open the Favorites page directly.
Once the Favorites section appears, locate another three-dot menu inside that page. Click it and choose Export Favorites.
A save window will appear asking where you want to store the backup file. By default, the file is usually named something like: Bookmarks.html
Choose a safe location such as:
- Desktop
- Documents folder
- USB drive
- External hard drive
- Cloud storage folder
After selecting the location, click Save. Your bookmarks are now backed up successfully.
The exported HTML file contains all saved favorites, folders, and organized links from Edge. You can use this file anytime to restore bookmarks or transfer them to browsers like:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Brave
- Opera
- Safari
For maximum safety, keep multiple copies of the bookmark backup in different locations.
3: Verify the Bookmark Backup File
Many users create backups but never confirm whether the files actually work. Verifying your backup ensures the export process is completed correctly.
Navigate to the folder where you saved the HTML file. You should see the bookmark backup there.
Double-click the HTML file. It will open in your default web browser and display a page containing your saved bookmarks and folders.
If the file opens correctly and displays your favorites, the backup is working properly.
You can also check the file size. If the file size is extremely small or empty, repeat the export process because the backup may not have completed successfully.
Verifying backups is especially important before formatting your computer or reinstalling Windows.
4: Export Saved Passwords from Edge
Passwords require a different export process because they contain sensitive login information.
Inside Edge Settings, click Profiles and then select Passwords. This page displays all saved usernames and passwords stored in your browser.
Look for the three-dot menu beside the Saved Passwords section. Click it and select Export Passwords.
Edge will display a warning message explaining that exported passwords are saved in a readable CSV file. Anyone with access to the file may view your passwords, so you must store it securely.
Click Export Passwords again to continue. Windows security will now ask you to verify your identity using:
- Windows password
- PIN
- Fingerprint authentication
- Face recognition
After verification, choose a location to save the CSV file.
Save the file in a secure folder or encrypted drive. Avoid leaving password backups openly accessible on shared computers.
Once saved, your Edge passwords are fully backed up.
5: Understand the Password CSV File
The exported password file uses the CSV format, which stands for Comma-Separated Values.
This file contains information such as:
- Website URLs
- Usernames
- Saved passwords
You can open the CSV file using applications like:
- Microsoft Excel
- Google Sheets
- Notepad
- CSV viewers
Because the passwords appear in readable text, you should treat this file carefully. Anyone opening the file may access your accounts.
For better security:
- Store the file on an encrypted USB drive.
- Use password-protected folders.
- Delete old backup files you no longer need.
- Never email the CSV file without encryption.
- Never upload the file publicly.
If possible, place the backup inside secure cloud storage protected with two-factor authentication.
6: Enable Edge Sync for Additional Protection
Manual backups are important, but enabling sync adds another layer of protection.
In Edge Settings, open the Profiles section. If you are not signed in, log in using your Microsoft account. After signing in, click Sync.
Enable synchronization for:
- Favorites
- Passwords
- History
- Extensions
- Open tabs
- Settings
Once sync is enabled, Edge automatically uploads your browser data to your Microsoft account. When signing into Edge on another computer, your bookmarks and passwords can automatically appear after syncing.
Although sync is useful, it should not replace manual backups completely. Sync errors, accidental deletions, or account problems can still affect stored data.
Using both sync and offline backups provides the best protection.
7: Backup Edge Data Manually from the System Folder
Advanced users may also create direct backups of Edge profile files.
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Type the following path:
%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data
Press Enter.
This folder contains your Edge profile information, including bookmarks, settings, browsing history, cookies, and other browser data.
Locate the Default folder if you use the main Edge profile. If you use multiple profiles, you may see Profile 1, Profile 2, and additional folders.
Copy the entire folder and paste it into a secure backup location, such as:
- External hard drive
- USB drive
- Backup partition
- Cloud storage
This method creates a more complete Edge backup because it preserves additional browser data beyond bookmarks and passwords.
However, beginners should still rely mainly on the export methods because restoring profile folders manually can sometimes become complicated.
8: Restore Edge Bookmarks from Backup
Restoring bookmarks is simple if you have already exported the HTML file earlier.
Open Edge and click the three-dot menu. Go to Favorites and open the Favorites page. Click the three-dot menu again inside Favorites and select Import Favorites.
Choose the option to import from an HTML file. Browse to your saved bookmark backup file and select it.
Edge will import all saved bookmarks and folders into your browser. After the process completes, verify that your favorites appear correctly.
This method works even when transferring bookmarks from another browser.
9: Restore Passwords into Edge
Restoring passwords requires importing the CSV file.
Open Edge Settings and go to Profiles, followed by Passwords.
Inside the Saved Passwords section, click the three-dot menu and choose Import Passwords.
Select the CSV file you exported earlier.
After importing, Edge will restore your saved login credentials.
If the import option does not appear, you may need to enable the password import feature using Edge experimental settings. In newer Edge versions, the feature is generally available by default.
After importing passwords, test a few websites to confirm the restored credentials work correctly.
10: Create a Regular Backup Schedule
One backup is not enough if your bookmarks and passwords change frequently.
Whenever you add new websites or save new passwords, your previous backup becomes outdated. Creating a regular backup schedule helps keep your data current.
A practical schedule may look like this:
- Weekly backups for heavy internet users
- Monthly backups for regular users
- Immediate backups before reinstalling Windows
- Immediate backups before replacing a computer
- Immediate backups before resetting Edge
Store newer backups with clear names such as:
EdgeBookmarksMay2026.html
EdgePasswordsMay2026.csv
Organized naming helps you quickly identify the latest versions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Edge Backup
- Saving Password Files in Public Folders: Never leave exported password files in shared folders or publicly accessible drives. The CSV file contains readable passwords.
- Forgetting to Verify Backup Files: Always open exported files once to confirm they work correctly.
- Relying Only on Browser Sync: Sync is useful, but should not replace manual backups.
- Deleting Old Files Too Quickly: Keep older backups temporarily in case the newest file becomes corrupted.
- Ignoring Encryption: Sensitive backups should always be stored securely using encryption or password protection.
FAQs
Does Microsoft Edge Automatically Backup Bookmarks?
If sync is enabled with a Microsoft account, Edge synchronizes bookmarks online. However, creating manual backups is still recommended for maximum protection.
Can I Transfer Edge Bookmarks to Another Browser?
Yes. The exported HTML bookmark file can be imported into browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Brave.
Are Exported Passwords Encrypted?
No. Edge exports passwords into a readable CSV file. You must store the file securely.
Where Are Edge Bookmarks Stored?
Bookmarks are stored inside the Edge profile folder located in the User Data directory within Windows.
Can I Restore Passwords After Reinstalling Windows?
Yes. If you exported your passwords before reinstalling Windows, you can import the CSV file back into Edge afterward.
Is Edge Sync Safe?
Edge sync is generally secure and convenient, especially when combined with two-factor authentication on your Microsoft account.
What Happens If I Delete the Password CSV File?
If the CSV file is deleted and no other backup exists, restoring exported passwords becomes impossible unless the passwords remain stored in Edge sync.
Can I Back Up Edge on Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes. The backup process is nearly identical on both operating systems.