How to import or export bookmarks when using Internet Explorer

People like to choose one web browser and stick with it for a long time. However, if you feel like the latest update destroys your experience, or you realize that another browser suits your needs better, you will probably want to change the browser that you use. To make the passage from one web browser to another a little bit easier, all of them offer an option to import or export bookmarks. In this article, we will show you how to import or export your bookmarks when using the desktop version of Internet Explorer 11:

Contents

1. How to open the import and export settings wizard in Internet Explorer
2. How to import favorites from Google Chrome to Internet Explorer
3. How to import favorites from a file to Internet Explorer
4. How to export your favorites to a file from Internet Explorer
5. Conclusion

How to open the import and export settings wizard in Internet Explorer

If you want to import or export your bookmarks in Internet Explorer, you have to use the Import/Export Settings wizard. Naturally, you should first open Internet Explorer. If you do not know how to do this, read this article: 9 ways to start Internet Explorer in all Windows versions. However, if you are in a hurry, know that a quick way to launch it in any Windows version, is to search for it.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

Once opened, click or tap on the "View favorites, feeds, and history" button that looks like a little star, on the top-right corner of the Internet Explorer window.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

In the Favorites Center, which has just opened, click or tap on the down arrow found to the right of the "Add to favorites" button.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

Then, click or tap on "Import and export…".

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

The Import/Export Settings wizard now starts.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

How to import favorites from Google Chrome to Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer can import bookmarks from another web browser directly. However, in our tests, the only popular web browser that is supported by this feature is Google Chrome. We also tried to import bookmarks from Mozilla Firefox and Opera, but neither of them was listed by the import wizard in Internet Explorer.

To import Favorites from another browser, open the Import/Export Settings wizard as shown earlier, choose to "Import from another browser" and then click or tap on Next.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

You have to select from which browser you want to import bookmarks. Click or tap on the corresponding checkbox to select an item in the list and then click or tap Import.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

You should see a confirmation message about the fact that the import was successful. Click or tap on Finish.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

How to import favorites from a file to Internet Explorer

The best way to import your favorites from any another browser into Internet Explorer is to have them exported into a file, from the browser you want to switch from.

Then, open Import/Export Settings wizard as shown earlier in this tutorial, choose "Import from a file" and then click or tap Next.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

Now you get to choose the type of data that you want to import. To import your Favorites, check the corresponding checkbox and click Next.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

You must choose the HTML file where you have stored your favorites from another browser. You can type its path into the corresponding textbox, or you can use the Browse button, look through your files and folders and select it. Then, click or tap on Next to go forward.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

Select the Favorites folder from Internet Explorer where you want to move all your imported favorites.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

To finish the process, click or tap the Import button.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

You should then see a confirmation message, telling you that the data was imported successfully. To close the window, click or tap Finish.

How to export your favorites to a file from Internet Explorer

You can choose to export your Favorites from Internet Explorer to a file so that you can import them into another browser. To do this, open the Import/Export Settings wizard as shown earlier in this article and choose "Export to a file."

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

Then you get to choose the data that you want to export. The available options are Favorites, Feeds, and Cookies. Check Favorites and click Next.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

Now you have to select the folders with favorites that you want to export. If you want to export all your favorites, select the Favorites folder at the top and click or tap Next.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

Choose the location and the name of the file where your favorites should be saved. You can either type the full path and the filename or click Browse and select the location. To finish the process, click or tap on Export.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

A confirmation message is shown. To close the window, click or tap on Finish.

Internet Explorer, Windows, bookmarks, import, export

Your Favorites are now saved in the HTML file whose name you provided, in the location you selected. You can then use that file to import your favorites into another browser or on another computer.

Conclusion

As you can see from this guide, it is easy to import and export your bookmarks in Internet Explorer. However, we would have wished for the Import/Export Settings wizard to be able to automatically import favorites from all the major browsers, not just Google Chrome. Luckily, the process of exporting and importing through HTML files, works well with other browsers too. If you have any questions about importing or exporting bookmarks in Internet Explorer, do not hesitate to ask using the comments below.