How to save all bookmarks to an HTML file in Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Firefox

Whether you are setting up a clean installation of Windows 11, moving to a brand new computer, or simply shifting your daily browsing to a different app, you don’t want to leave your saved links behind. Backing them up is incredibly simple because every major browser uses a universal HTML file standard for data transfer.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to export your bookmarks (favorites) into a single backup file in under 30 seconds, no matter which browser you currently use.

Google Chrome & Brave browser

Because Brave is built on the same underlying engine as Chrome, both browsers use the exact same layout and keyboard shortcuts to handle data management.

Chrome and Brave tuck their export option inside their dedicated manager utility. Here is where to find it:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + O to jump instantly to the Bookmark Manager.
  2. In the top-right corner of the bookmarks manager bar, click the three vertical dots icon (organize menu).
  3. Select Export bookmarks from the dropdown menu.
  4. Choose where you want to save the HTML file on your PC.
  5. Click Save.
Export Chrome and Brave bookmarks to an HTML file

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft treats saved links slightly differently by calling them favorites, but the underlying system still uses the same cross-compatible file layout.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + O to open the flyout menu for your favorites.
  2. At the top of the small favorites window that appears, click the three horizontal dots (More options).
  3. Click Export favorites.
  4. Choose where you want to save the HTML file on your computer.
  5. Click Save.
Export Edge bookmarks to an HTML file

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox handles data management through its classic "Library" panel system, which requires an extra step to navigate:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + O to launch the library management window.
  2. Along the top toolbar of this pop-up window, click Import and Backup (the icon with two arrows).
  3. Select Export Bookmarks to HTML... from the contextual menu.
  4. Choose where you want to save the HTML file on your PC.
  5. Click Save.
Export Firefox bookmarks to an HTML file

What should you do with this HTML file?

Once you finish clicking save, you will have a lightweight file named something like bookmarks_5_17_26.html. I highly recommend saving a copy of this file to an external USB drive or dropping it into a secure cloud storage folder.

When you are ready to set up your new browser, simply go back to these exact same menus, select Import instead of export, and point the browser toward your saved HTML file. Every single folder structure, link description, and nested tag will instantly populate your new setup exactly the way you left it.

Related:

How to bookmark all open tabs in Chrome, Edge, Firefox & Brave

How to bookmark local files in Chrome, Edge, Firefox & Brave

Find bookmark file locations: Chrome, Edge, Brave & Firefox

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