It’s common knowledge that before you format your computer you always get a back up of your data. You can use an external hard drive, a usb flash or even a secondary drive you’re not formating. That way, you make sure there won’t be any unplasant surprises when you try to find that photo of you with your long gone favourite dog eating from the same plate, or whatever embarrassing moment you might cherish.
Saving and transfering data nowadays it’s really easy and super fast. But what about your favourite bookmarks? I don’t mean the occasional tv show, or a couple of websites that you visit all the time. When you’re someone who’s spending a big part of his life online, ultimately you’re bound to have numerous folders and subfolders and sub-subfolders of bookmarks that are crucial to you. For me, loosing my bookmarks is reason enough to refrain from formating my computer.
Of course, you can always transfer your bookmarks after formating your pc, or when using another one. It’s a really easy and simple process that can make life easier for you.
Gloogle Chrome
With Chrome, the most effordless way for someone to transfer his bookmarks is just by signing in. When you log in Chrome (with your gmail), all your browser information including bookmarks, passwords and history is stored. That way, when using your Google account in another device (it can also be a phone or a tablet) and sync the data, everything is transfered there too.
But what about wanting to move them in a different browser? you can also export them in a html file so you import them anywhere you want.
How to export and import your bookmarks in Chrome
Export html file from Chrome
- Run Chrome
- Click the “more” 3-dots-icon on the top right corner
- Go to Bookmarks >Bookmark Manager
- Click on Organize
- From the drop down list, choose Export bookmarks
Your html file is ready.
Import html file from other Browser
- Run Chrome
- Click the “more” 3-dots-icon on the top right corner
- Go to Bookmarks >Bookmark Manager
- Click on Organize
- From the drop down list, choose Import bookmarks
- Choose the html file and click open
That’s it. Your bookmarks have been successfully transfered. You can find them in a folder named “Imported from”, or in your toolbar if you don’t have any previous.
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox also has a sync function for sharing or moving your browsers preferences (favorites, passwords and history). Just create an account, set your preferences and login in any device you wish to transfer you browser’s data.
How to export and import your bookmarks in Firefox
Export html file from Firefox
- Run Firefox
- Click the “bookmarks button” on the right side of your address bar (or press Ctrl + Shift +B)
- Go to “Show All Bookmarks”
- Choose the desired folder from the left column
- Click on Import and Backup>Export Bookmarks to HTML
- Choose the directory and press “Save”
Import html file from Firefox
- Run Firefox
- Click the “bookmarks button” on the right side of your address bar (or press Ctrl + Shift +B)
- Go to “Show All Bookmarks”
- Choose the desired folder from the left column
- Click on Import and Backup>Import Bookmarks to HTML
- Choose the HTML file and and press “Open”
Microsoft Edge
In Edge, there’s a sync feature too. Just log in with your Mcrosoft account in all devices and all your browser’s information will be transfered.
How to export and import your bookmarks in Edge
Export html file from Edge
- Run Edge
- Click the “more” 3-dots-icon on the top right corner
- Go to Settings>Import from another browser
- Click on “Export to file”
- Choose the directory you want to save it and Click “Save”
Import html file from Edge
- Run Edge
- Click the “more” 3-dots-icon on the top right corner
- Go to Settings>Import from another browser
- Click on “Import from file”
- Choose HTML file and Click “open”