Where Are Edge Favorites Stored
Microsoft Edge keeps your favorites in a file named Bookmarks inside its user data folder, with a .bak copy beside it
Microsoft Edge stores your favorites in a file simply named Bookmarks (no file extension) inside the Default folder
of its user data directory. A second file, Bookmarks.bak, sits beside it and holds the previous version. Edge calls
them "favorites" in its menus, but the underlying file uses the name Bookmarks because Edge is built on the same
Chromium engine as Chrome.
Knowing where this file lives is useful for backing up your favorites, copying them to another machine, or recovering them if something goes wrong. Here is where to find it.
The file Edge actually uses
Edge keeps everything for the active profile in a single JSON file named Bookmarks. When you add, rename, or move a
favorite, Edge rewrites that file. Each time it does, it also updates Bookmarks.bak, which preserves the version from
just before the last change.
That .bak file is a small safety net, not a full backup history. It only ever holds one previous version, so it will
not help if a problem went unnoticed for a while.
Where the Bookmarks file lives on each OS
The favorites file is in the Default profile folder. If you use multiple Edge profiles, the others are in folders
named Profile 1, Profile 2, and so on.
| OS | Bookmarks file path |
|---|---|
| Windows | %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Bookmarks |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft Edge/Default/Bookmarks |
On Windows, paste %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default into the File Explorer address bar to jump straight
there, since the AppData folder is hidden by default. On macOS, the ~/Library folder is also hidden, so use Finder's
Go > Go to Folder and paste the path.
How to view the file without breaking it
The Bookmarks file is plain JSON text, so you can open a copy in any text editor to confirm your favorites are inside.
Two rules keep you safe:
- Close Edge first. Edge holds the file open and may overwrite your edits otherwise.
- Work on a copy. Editing the live file by hand can corrupt it. If you only want to read it, duplicate the file first and open the copy.
For anything beyond a quick look, the menus are safer than the file.
The safer way to save your favorites
Rather than copying the raw file, export your favorites to a portable HTML file:
- Open Edge and press
Ctrl+Shift+Oto open the Favorites pane. - Click the three-dot More options button at the top of that pane.
- Choose Export favorites.
- Pick a location, keep or change the suggested file name, and click Save.
The result is a single .html file that any browser can import, which makes it both a backup and a migration tool.
When the file is your last resort
If Edge will not open or your favorites vanish, the local file is where recovery starts. With Edge fully closed, look in
the Default folder. If Bookmarks is empty or missing but Bookmarks.bak has a recent date, copy Bookmarks.bak
somewhere safe, then rename it to Bookmarks (removing the .bak) to restore that version. Always keep a copy of the
original before renaming.
A note for Chrome users too
This layout is Edge-specific, but the pattern is nearly identical in Chrome, which uses its own Bookmarks file in a
different folder, covered in where Chrome bookmarks are stored. If you keep
favorites in Chrome as well, TrueBookmark is a Chrome extension that backs up on install, lets you back up in one click
anytime, and saves a safety backup before risky changes, so the Chrome side has more than a single .bak file to fall
back on.
Frequently asked questions
What file are Edge favorites stored in?
Microsoft Edge stores favorites in a file simply named Bookmarks, with no file extension, inside the Default folder of its user data directory. Edge also keeps one previous copy in a file named Bookmarks.bak in the same folder.
Where is the Edge user data folder on Windows?
On Windows the Bookmarks file lives at %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Bookmarks. The AppData folder is hidden by default, so paste the path into the File Explorer address bar to reach it directly.
Can I open the Edge Bookmarks file to read my favorites?
The Bookmarks file is JSON text, so a plain text editor can open it, but editing it by hand is risky and Edge must be closed first. To move or save favorites, use Export favorites to an HTML file instead of touching the raw file.
What is the Bookmarks.bak file in the Edge folder?
Bookmarks.bak is an automatic backup that holds the previous version of your favorites. If the main Bookmarks file becomes empty or corrupt, renaming Bookmarks.bak to Bookmarks while Edge is closed can restore the last good copy.
When TrueBookmark helps
Native Chrome steps are the fastest way to finish the task once. TrueBookmark is the better fit when you want Backup, Restore, Find, or Organize to stay reliable over time.
Related guides
Where Are Firefox Bookmarks Stored
Where Firefox stores bookmarks on Windows, macOS, and Linux, including the places.sqlite database and the bookmarkbackups folder, and how to find your profile folder.
Can You Export Chrome Bookmarks and Passwords Together
Chrome cannot export bookmarks and passwords in a single file. This guide shows how to export each one separately, what each file contains, and how to handle the password CSV safely.
What Gets Exported When You Export Chrome Bookmarks
A detailed look at what Chrome's bookmark export file contains, the HTML structure and date format it uses, and what data is lost when you export and re-import.
Where Are Chrome Bookmarks Stored
Exact file paths for Chrome bookmark storage on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Explains the Bookmarks and Bookmarks.bak JSON files, their format, and how Chrome uses them.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is provided without warranty of any kind, express or implied. Browser steps may change between versions. Always back up your bookmarks before making changes. By following these instructions, you accept full responsibility for the outcome.