How to Back Up Favorites in Internet Explorer

Co-authored by Mitch Harris

Last Updated: September 13, 2025 Tested

Backing up your Favorites on Internet Explorer is as easy as manually copying and pasting the file elsewhere or exporting it to a new destination. This article will cover both methods in detail while also discussing some variations between different versions of the browser. If you wish to be entirely sure that your Favorites are saved in multiple locations or accessible from different files, the solutions are pretty straightforward.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Copying Your Favorites Folder

Note that this refers to Windows' File Explorer, not the Internet Explorer browser. You may open Windows Explorer by pressing ⊞ Win + E , clicking the File Explorer folder on your Taskbar, performing a search for "File Explorer" on the Start screen or selecting the File Explorer shortcut under "Windows System" in Apps View.
Use the address bar to perform a search for "C:\Documents and Settings\username." Rather than typing "username," insert your actual username. Many simply adopt "Admin" as their usernames.

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Scroll down and find the Favorites folder, which will look like a folder with a star emerging from it. Select the Favorites folder so that it's highlighted.
Once the folder is highlighted, right-click and select "Copy" from the menu that appears. Alternatively, you may also press Ctrl + C to copy the folder using your keyboard.
You may choose to place your Favorites folder on a backup disk, a USB stick, or elsewhere on your hard disk. Once you've selected a location, right-click and select "Paste." Alternatively, you may also press Ctrl + V to paste the folder using your keyboard. This new location will serve as a backup for your Favorites.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Exporting Favorites on Internet Explorer 5.0 to 7

Simply click the "Start" menu and then select "Internet Explorer." You may also find this browser elsewhere if you've stored it on your desktop or Taskbar. ^{[1]
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From Internet Explorer, click the "File" menu. Then select "Import and Export" from the dropdown menu that appears. ^{[2]
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Begin by clicking "Next" on the "Import and Export" screen that first appears. Then select "Export Favorites" and again click "Next." ^{[3]
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First, click the "Browse" button.You can then either select specific folders you wish to export or export all Favorites by leaving the whole folder highlighted. Once you've determined what you wish to export, click "Next" once more. ^{[4]
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Select a file or drive in which you wish your Favorites to be exported and then click "Next." Finally, click "Finish." This new location will serve as a backup for your Favorites without affecting the file that you've had exported. ^{[5]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Exporting Favorites on Internet Explorer 8 and Above

Simply click the "Start" menu and then select "Internet Explorer." You may also find this browser elsewhere if you've stored it on your desktop or Taskbar.
Click the Favorites icon in the upper, righthand corner. It will look like a star. ^{[6]
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Begin by clicking the downward pointing arrow next to "Add to favorites." Alternatively, you may simply press Alt + Z on your keyboard. Finally, select "Import and export" from the menu that appears. ^{[7]
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Select "Export to a file" on the "Import and export" window and then click "Next." Check the box next to "Favorites" and then click "Next" again. Finally, choose the folder(s) of Favorites you wish to export or—if you wish to export them all—leave the entire Favorites folder selected. When satisfied, click "Next" once more. ^{[8]
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First, click the "Browse" button. Then select a file or drive in which you wish your Favorites to be exported. Upon deciding on a location, click the "Export" button and then click "Finish." This new location will serve as a backup for your Favorites without affecting the file that you've had exported. ^{[9]
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How do I export favorites from Internet Explorer?

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert
Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.

Mitch Harris

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Expert Answer

Go into your bookmark manager and save your favorites from there. Then, export them to a file and import that file into any other program you might be using for bookmarks.

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Question

My Favorites list has disappeared. Still have the tool bar for Favorites. I have done many steps to find/ recover them. No luck. It seems they are not in my computer. They may be somewhere around because when I try to mark a new favorite it says there is another equal site already.

Community Answer

You may wish to try the appropriate "export" method and see if you can then find them in the new location. If they indeed still exist, Internet Explorer should be able to export them to the location of your choice.

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Tips

Inside the "Favorites" folder, you can have a folder named "Links," which will be recognized by its name in Windows and show up as the "Links" toolbar. If you don't have one and want one, create a folder named "Links" there and then paste your Favorites there. They will show up in Internet Explorer's toolbar right away.

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Depending on your computer's authorizations, you may be able to back-up, delete, or overwrite other users' "Favorites" as well.

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Warnings

If you delete the wrong folder (using the copying and pasting technique), you might be in serious trouble. It is possible to destroy installed software by deleting the wrong folders. Be careful with this procedure.

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[1]

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Mitch Harris
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How to Back Up Favorites in Internet Explorer

Steps

Copying Your Favorites Folder

Exporting Favorites on Internet Explorer 5.0 to 7

Exporting Favorites on Internet Explorer 8 and Above

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

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