[Guide] How to Recover Deleted Favorites in Microsoft Edge

[Guide] How to Recover Deleted Favorites in Microsoft Edge

/ Andrew Holdeman

If you use Microsoft Edge to browse the web, you may have saved some of your favorite websites as bookmarks for easy access later. However, it’s not uncommon to accidentally delete a bookmark, especially if you’re doing some housekeeping or using a touchscreen device.

This can be frustrating, especially if you don’t remember the website’s name or URL. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to recover your deleted favorites in Microsoft Edge so that you can browse your favorite websites in no time.

Import Favorites From Edge Legacy

1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the Favorites icon. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift + O.

2. Click the three horizontal dots (More Options) and select Import Favorites.

import favorites in edge

3. Under Import from other browsers section, click Choose what to import.

choose what to import in edge

4. In the dropdown menu, select Import from Microsoft Edge Legacy.

select microsoft edge legacy

5. Click the Import button and wait for Microsoft Edge to restore the old favorites folder.

Alternatively, if Microsoft Edge is not on the Import list, you may close the Favorites window and launch a new tab. Subsequently, enter edge://flags in the address bar and press Enter, followed by typing import into the search field.

edge flags

Click the drop-down arrow, select Enabled, then click the Restart button to refresh the browser. Follow again the steps above to import Microsoft Edge favorites.

Restore Previous Versions if Microsoft Edge Favorites Disappeared

1. Press Win + E to open the File Explorer.

2. Click on This PC and click on the drive where you installed Microsoft Edge (Mostly it’s C: Drive)

3. Navigate this path: C:\Users\UserName, locate and open Favorites.

4. Right-click the Favorites Bar folder and select Restore previous versions.

restore previous version

Use Windows File Recovery Tool

The Windows File Recovery Tool is a utility program developed by Microsoft for the Windows operating system. It allows users to accidentally recover deleted files and documents from their computer’s hard drives, external drives, USB drives, and memory cards.

The tool uses different recovery modes to recover files, including default, segment, and signature modes. Default mode recovers recently deleted files, and segment mode scans and recovers files from a specific hard drive segment. Signature mode searches for files of a particular file type.

Windows File Recovery Tool supports several file types, including documents, photos, videos, and audio files. It is free for download from the Microsoft Store and requires Windows 10 version 19041.0 or higher.

1. Download the tool from the Microsoft Store.

2. Launch the tool app and type the following command, then press Enter:

winfr C: D: /n \Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\UserData\UserName\Bookmarks

winfr command

Note: Change the UserName with your account user name and replace D: with your drive’s letter.

The command will automatically create a Recovery folder in the destination drive, then copy the Bookmarks folder to your Microsoft Edge Data Profile.

Edge saves the Favorites folder at the following location: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Bookmarks.

Restore Bookmarks From Windows Old Version

1. Open the File Explorer and navigate to this path:

C:\Windows.old\Users\<username>\AppData\Local \Packages\

Microsoft. MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe \AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\Default

restore bookmars on edge from windows old version folder

2. Copy and paste this folder into the Default folder:

%LocalAppData%\Packages \Microsoft. MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AC \MicrosoftEdge\User\Default

3. Restart your Edge and check if the bookmarks appear or not.

Import Favorites From Internet Explorer

1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the Favorites icon. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift + O.

2. Click the three horizontal dots (More Options) and select Import Favorites.

3. Under the Import from other browsers section, click Choose what to import.

4. In the dropdown menu, select Import from Microsoft Internet Explorer.

select microsoft internet explorer import

5. To Backup Microsoft Edge Bookmarks, open file explore, copy and paste this directory into the address bar, and press Enter: %LocalAppData%\Packages \Microsoft. MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe \AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\Default

Restore Favorites in IE Edge

If Microsoft Internet Explorer Edge is currently running, make sure to close it before proceeding. If you lose your bookmarks in IE Edge, you can restore them by following the steps below, provided backups are available.

1. Navigate to C:\User\UserName\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\Default using File Explorer.

2. Locate the backup of the DataStore folder you previously saved and copy it to the Default folder.

3. When prompted, select Replace the files in the destination to overwrite the existing files.

You can restore Microsoft Edge and recover your Favorites by completing these steps.

Where Are My Favorites Folders?

The location of My Favorites folders depends on your web browser. Here are the default locations for some popular browsers:

Microsoft Edge: C:\Users\Username\Favorites

Google Chrome: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default

Mozilla Firefox: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\randomstring.default\bookmarkbackups

Please note that Username refers to your Windows username, and randomstring is a series of letters and numbers generated by Firefox to identify your profile. If you have changed the default location of your Favorites folders, the location may be different.

Where Are My Favorites on Microsoft?

If you’re using Microsoft Edge as your web browser on Windows, your Favorites are located in the Favorites folder on your computer. The default location for this folder is:

C:\Users\YourUsername\Favorites

You can also access your Favorites directly from within Microsoft Edge by clicking on the three dots in the upper-right corner of the browser window and selecting Favorites from the drop-down menu. This will display a list of all your saved Favorites, which you can organize into folders or pin to the browser’s toolbar for quick access.

In this comprehensive guide, we have explored the methods to recover deleted favorites in Microsoft Edge, ensuring you never lose your valuable bookmarked websites again. By understanding the various techniques, such as using the built-in backup feature, utilizing third-party recovery tools, or leveraging cloud syncing options, you can easily retrieve and restore your cherished links to their rightful place. Remember to back up your favorites regularly and use syncing browser features to create redundant copies of your bookmarks across devices. With these practices in place, you can confidently navigate the web, knowing that your favorite websites are always within reach. So, bid farewell to the fear of losing your cherished bookmarks, and enjoy uninterrupted browsing with Microsoft Edge’s robust recovery options.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Undelete Favorites in Microsoft Edge

What Can I Do if I Accidentally Deleted Favorites in Microsoft Edge?

Open your Recycle Bin and check if the favorites appear there. If they do, right-click on the item/s you want to recover and select Restore. This will restore the favorites to their original directory. If you can’t find the deleted favorites in your Recycle Bin, restore them from a previously saved backup.

Is It Secure to Restart Google Chrome if I Deleted Favorites?

Restarting Google Chrome after deleting favorites is usually secure, but it depends on the device used and how it was set up. If a user has enabled syncing with their Google account, any deleted bookmarks should be recovered as soon as the browser restarts. If users have backup copies of their favorites stored on their computers, they can quickly recover them after restarting Chrome.

Can I Use Google Chrome Bookmarks to Save Deleted Favorites?

Yes, you can use Google Chrome bookmarks to save deleted favorites. To do this, go to the ‘Bookmarks’ section of your Google Chrome browser, click the ‘Organize’ option, and select ‘Export Bookmarks.’ This will create a file containing all your saved bookmarks. You can import this file when you need to restore your deleted favorites.

Andrew Holdeman
Meet the author

Andrew has extensive experience with a wide range of writing platforms and automation systems. He has spent over 6 years creating content and troubleshooting for various companies. He also enjoys spending time with his family and his fiancé, while staying active and healthy.