Buzz
The Google Chrome browser features a bookmark bar where you can easily store your most visited websites for quick access. Image by Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesWe all have a special fondness for our internet browser bookmarks. Whether they're used to save your preferences or act as shortcuts to your favorite articles, videos, and food websites, your bookmarks bar is essential for daily browsing.
To ensure you don't lose any of your cherished bookmarks during a computer upgrade, it's important to know how to export your Chrome bookmarks. A few simple steps will preserve them when you transition to a new device or restore your Chrome browser settings.
Fortunately, Google Chrome offers a straightforward way to export your bookmarks.
How to Export Your Chrome Bookmarks
Exporting bookmarks from Chrome is quick and simple, requiring just a few easy steps. Mytour- Launch Chrome.
- In the top-right corner of the browser, you'll see an icon with three vertical dots. Click on it.
- A menu will appear. Hover over 'Bookmarks' and select 'Bookmark Manager.'
- When the Bookmark Manager opens, click the three-dot icon in the top-right corner and choose 'Export Bookmarks.'
- A pop-up window will appear, prompting you to choose a location on your computer to save the HTML file. Name your file and select where it will be stored.
How to Transfer Your Exported Bookmarks
When it's time to move the HTML file to your new computer, simply email it to yourself as an attachment (or upload it to the cloud) and follow the same procedure. This will enable you to import Chrome bookmarks from your previous setup.
How to Bring Your Bookmarks Back into Chrome
If you're switching from a different browser to Chrome, follow the steps provided by your old browser to export your bookmarks as an HTML file.
- Open Chrome.
- Click the vertical three-dot icon in the top-right corner.
- From the menu, hover over Bookmarks and Lists, then select 'Import Bookmarks and Settings.'
- Click 'Choose File.'
- Select the file you want, then click 'Done.'
That's it! You've now successfully imported all your bookmarks into Chrome and can easily access them whenever you need.
Why Should I Export My Chrome Bookmarks?
While browsers may encourage you to continue using them, preferences and circumstances evolve. If you're contemplating a switch, you’ll probably want to ensure your bookmarks follow you. There are a few valid reasons to export or import bookmarks in your browser.
- Upgrading your computer: If you're updating to a new device, you can usually keep your Chrome bookmarks by signing into Chrome once you're set up. However, it’s wise to export an HTML file as a backup in case something goes wrong, or if you're also changing your email server.
- Switching browsers: Your bookmark manager is specific to the browser where you created the bookmarks. If you're moving from Chrome to a different browser, like Mozilla Firefox or Apple Safari, exporting your Chrome bookmarks is necessary to retain them.
- Unexpected issues: It’s not something we like to think about, but computers can break down, get damaged, or even go missing. While the Cloud makes it harder to lose data, accidents still happen. Having a bookmarks HTML file as a backup can offer some peace of mind in those situations.
