In the ever-evolving landscape of web browsers, Microsoft Edge has emerged as a strong contender, especially after its overhaul based on Chromium—the same open-source platform that powers Google Chrome. Whether you’re transitioning to Edge for its tighter integration with Windows 11, improved performance, or enhanced privacy features, one of the most important tasks to ensure a smooth migration is importing your browsing data—especially your bookmarks, known in Edge as favorites. Bookmarks help us store and revisit our most valuable and frequently visited websites, so carrying them over to your new browser environment can save a great deal of time and effort.
Importing bookmarks from Chrome to Edge is a fairly straightforward process thanks to Microsoft’s built-in tools that are specifically designed to ease the transition. You don’t have to worry about manually copying URLs or using third-party extensions—Edge can pull data directly from Chrome, including favorites, saved passwords, browsing history, autofill form data, extensions, and even open tabs. Whether you’re a casual user or a professional managing multiple projects, this functionality ensures that you won’t lose your digital trail during the switch. Let’s now walk through the step-by-step process of importing your Chrome bookmarks into Microsoft Edge.
Step-by-Step Guide: Importing Bookmarks from Chrome to Edge
Step 1: Launch Microsoft Edge
Start by opening Microsoft Edge on your Windows 11 PC. If you haven’t used Edge before, this would be a good time to ensure it’s up to date. Microsoft frequently rolls out updates with new features and security enhancements, so having the latest version ensures maximum compatibility and performance.
Step 2: Open the Settings Menu
Once the browser is open, click on the three horizontal dots (⋯) located in the upper-right corner of the browser window. This will open a dropdown menu. From this list, click on “Settings.” This section contains all of Edge’s customizable features, from privacy and appearance settings to profile and import options.
Step 3: Navigate to Profiles
Within the Settings menu, you’ll see a list of categories on the left-hand side. Click on “Profiles.” This section manages user information and sync settings. You can have multiple profiles in Edge (for work, personal use, etc.), each with its own set of data, so make sure you’re operating under the correct profile where you want the bookmarks to be imported.
Step 4: Select “Import Browser Data”
Under your profile section, locate and click on the option that says “Import browser data.” This will open a panel where you can specify the source browser and the types of data you wish to bring into Edge. This is a powerful feature, as it allows you to import not just bookmarks, but other browsing data as well.
Step 5: Choose Google Chrome as the Source
In the “Import from” dropdown menu, select “Google Chrome.” If you have multiple user profiles set up in Chrome, you may be asked to choose which profile you want to import from. Make sure you select the correct one that contains your saved bookmarks.
Step 6: Select What to Import
Once you’ve chosen Chrome, Edge will present you with a list of data types that can be imported. These usually include:
- Favorites or bookmarks
- Saved passwords
- Autofill form data (like addresses or credit card info)
- Browsing history
- Open tabs (optional)
- Extensions (in some cases)
For the purpose of importing bookmarks, ensure that “Favorites or bookmarks” is checked. You can uncheck the other boxes if you don’t want to import additional data.
Step 7: Begin the Import Process
After you’ve selected what data to import, click the “Import” button. The process should only take a few seconds, depending on the volume of data. Edge will then display a confirmation message once the import is complete.
Step 8: Access Your Imported Bookmarks
To verify that your bookmarks have been successfully imported, click on the Favorites icon (star with three lines) on the Edge toolbar or use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + O to open the Favorites page. You’ll find a folder labeled something like “Imported from Chrome,” containing all your previously saved bookmarks organized in the same structure they had in Chrome.
Bonus Tip: Import Bookmarks Using an HTML File
If you’ve already exported your Chrome bookmarks to an HTML file (which you can do from Chrome’s bookmarks manager), you can also import them into Edge manually.
- Open Edge and go to Settings > Profiles > Import browser data.
- Under “Import from,” choose “Favorites or bookmarks HTML file.”
- Click “Choose file,” locate your saved HTML file, and then click “Open.”
- Edge will add the bookmarks contained in the file to your favorites list.
This method is useful if you’re transferring bookmarks from a different computer or backing them up for archiving.
Final Thoughts
Switching web browsers can be a significant change, especially when you have built up years’ worth of browsing habits, saved links, and personal data. Fortunately, Microsoft has made the process of importing bookmarks from Chrome to Edge seamless and intuitive. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your carefully curated bookmarks make the journey with you into Edge, helping to preserve your browsing productivity and convenience. Whether you’re moving for performance reasons, security enhancements, or just exploring alternatives, Microsoft Edge offers a compelling experience without forcing you to start from scratch.
Moreover, Edge is packed with additional features like Collections, vertical tabs, immersive reading mode, and integration with Microsoft 365 services, making it an attractive browser for both casual users and professionals. With your bookmarks successfully imported, you can begin customizing your Edge experience, organizing your favorites, and exploring new tools that enhance the way you browse the web. It’s not just about changing browsers—it’s about upgrading the way you interact with the internet.
If you’re on the fence about making the full switch from Chrome to Edge, consider running both browsers side by side for a while. With synchronized data and cloud profiles, you can test Edge without losing access to your Chrome environment. And should you decide to stay with Edge, you’ll find it has matured into a powerful and reliable daily driver, offering speed, efficiency, and user-focused features built for the modern web.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Will importing bookmarks from Chrome to Edge delete anything from Chrome?
No, importing your bookmarks (or any other data) from Chrome into Microsoft Edge does not delete or modify anything in your Chrome browser. The process is completely non-destructive and essentially copies the data into Edge, leaving your Chrome installation untouched. This is beneficial for users who want to test or gradually transition to Edge without losing their original Chrome setup. You can continue using Chrome with all your bookmarks intact, even after the import.
2. Can I import other types of data along with bookmarks?
Yes, Microsoft Edge allows you to import a wide range of browsing data beyond just bookmarks. During the import process, you’ll have the option to bring over your saved passwords, browsing history, autofill form data (like addresses and credit cards), open tabs, and sometimes even extensions depending on compatibility. You can choose exactly what you want to import by checking or unchecking each category. This level of customization gives you control over what gets transferred, so you can avoid importing unnecessary data.
3. What if I use multiple profiles in Chrome? Which bookmarks will be imported?
If you have more than one user profile set up in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge will detect them and prompt you to choose the specific Chrome profile from which you want to import data. Each Chrome profile has its own separate bookmarks, history, and saved information, so it’s important to select the correct one—especially if different profiles are used for work, school, or personal browsing. Only the data from the selected profile will be imported into Edge, so double-check before proceeding.
4. Do I need to have Chrome installed on my PC to import bookmarks into Edge?
Yes, if you’re using Edge’s direct import feature, Chrome must still be installed on your computer because Edge reads data directly from Chrome’s local profile folders. If you’ve already uninstalled Chrome or are transferring bookmarks from another device, you’ll need to use an HTML file. First, export your bookmarks from Chrome into an HTML file on the original machine, then transfer the file to your current device and import it into Edge using the “Import from a bookmarks HTML file” option.
5. Where can I find the bookmarks after importing them into Edge?
After the import process is complete, your bookmarks will appear in the Favorites section of Edge. To view them, click the Favorites icon (usually a star with lines) on the toolbar, or use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + O to open the Favorites menu directly. Imported bookmarks are typically organized into a folder named something like “Imported from Chrome” or “Imported [date]” depending on the version of Edge. You can leave them in this folder or rearrange and rename them as needed to suit your organizational preferences.
6. What happens if I import bookmarks more than once? Will they duplicate?
If you import your Chrome bookmarks multiple times into Edge, there’s a good chance that duplicates will be created—especially if you haven’t deleted or reorganized previously imported folders. Edge doesn’t currently offer automatic deduplication, so repeated imports can lead to clutter. To avoid this, it’s best to import only once and then manage your bookmarks within Edge. If you’ve already created duplicates, you can manually delete them or use an Edge-compatible extension to clean up your Favorites.
7. Can bookmarks be synced across devices after importing into Edge?
Yes, once you’ve imported your bookmarks and signed into your Microsoft account in Edge, you can enable sync to access your Favorites across all your devices where Edge is installed and signed in with the same account. This includes Windows PCs, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. To turn on sync, go to Settings > Profiles > Sync, and make sure “Favorites” is toggled on. This ensures a seamless browsing experience no matter which device you’re using.