How to Move Your Bookmarks to a Different Computer

The fastest way to transfer bookmarks between computers

The quickest method is to export your bookmarks from your current browser as a file, then import that file into the same browser on your new computer. Most browsers store bookmarks in a standard format that moves between machines without any special software. The whole process takes about five minutes and works whether you're moving from Windows to Mac, Mac to Windows, or staying on the same operating system.

You'll need both computers available at the same time, a USB drive or cloud storage (like Google Drive or Dropbox), and access to your browser's menu. The exact steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, but the principle is the same: export, transfer the file, then import.

Key Takeaways

Export your bookmarks as an HTML file from your current browser using the built-in menu, then save that file to a USB drive or cloud storage.
Transfer the exported file to your new computer using a USB drive, email, or a cloud storage service you can access on both machines.
Import the HTML file into your browser on the new computer through the browser's bookmark menu, which will add all your bookmarks to the new installation.
Bookmark folders and organization are preserved during export and import, so your folder structure arrives intact on the new computer.
If you use multiple browsers, you must export and import separately for each one, since bookmarks don't transfer between different browser applications.

Exporting bookmarks from Chrome

Open Chrome on your current computer and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Scroll down and select Bookmarks, then click Bookmark Manager. At the top of the Bookmark Manager window, click the three-dot menu icon and choose Export bookmarks. Chrome will open a save dialog asking where you want to store the file.

Name the file something you'll recognize, like "Chrome_Bookmarks_2024", and save it to your Desktop or a USB drive. The file will be saved as an HTML document. Once it's saved, you can move that file to your new computer using a USB drive, email, or cloud storage.

Exporting bookmarks from Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select Bookmarks, then hover over Manage Bookmarks and click the option that appears. In the Library window that opens, click the Import and Backup button (it looks like a star with an arrow), then select Backup. Firefox will save a compressed file with all your bookmarks to your Downloads folder.

The file will have a name like "bookmarks-2024-01-15.json". You can rename it to something shorter if you prefer, then move it to a USB drive or cloud storage to transfer to your new computer.

Exporting bookmarks from Safari

Open Safari on your Mac and click File in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Export Bookmarks from the dropdown. A save dialog will appear asking where you want to store the file. Save it to your Desktop or a USB drive with a name like "Safari_Bookmarks". Safari exports as an HTML file, the same format Chrome uses.

If you're on a Windows computer using Safari (which is rare), the process is the same: click File, then Export Bookmarks, and choose where to save the file.

Exporting bookmarks from Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner. Select Bookmarks, then click Manage bookmarks. In the sidebar that appears, click the three-dot menu next to "Bookmarks" and choose Export bookmarks. Edge will open a save dialog. Name your file and save it to your Desktop or a USB drive. Edge exports as an HTML file.

After you've saved the file, you can move it to your new computer using any method that transfers files between machines — USB drive, email, or cloud storage all work equally well.

Transferring the bookmark file to your new computer

Once you've exported your bookmarks, you need to move the file from your old computer to your new one. The easiest methods are a USB drive, email, or a cloud storage service. If you use a USB drive, plug it into your old computer, copy the bookmark file to the drive, then plug the drive into your new computer and copy the file to your Desktop or Downloads folder.

If you use cloud storage like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, sign in on your old computer, upload the bookmark file to your cloud storage, then sign in on your new computer and read the file. Email works too: attach the bookmark file to an email, send it to yourself, then open the email on your new computer and read the attachment.

Importing bookmarks into your new browser

On your new computer, open the same browser you exported from. The import process is different for each browser, so follow the steps for whichever one you're using.

Chrome: Click the three-line menu, select Bookmarks, then Bookmark Manager. Click the three-dot menu at the top and select Import bookmarks. Browse to the HTML file you transferred and open it. Chrome will add all your bookmarks to the new installation.

Firefox: Click the menu icon, select Bookmarks, hover over Manage Bookmarks, then click Import and Backup. Select Restore and choose the backup file you transferred. Firefox will restore all your bookmarks.

Safari: Click File in the menu bar and select Import From. Choose Bookmarks HTML File, then browse to the HTML file you transferred and open it. Safari will import all your bookmarks.

Edge: Click the three-dot menu, select Bookmarks, then Manage bookmarks. Click the three-dot menu next to "Bookmarks" and choose Import bookmarks. Select the HTML file and open it. Edge will add all your bookmarks to the new installation.

What happens to your bookmark folders and organization

When you export and import bookmarks, your folder structure comes with them. If you had a folder called "Recipes" with 20 bookmarks inside, that folder and all 20 bookmarks will appear in the same organization on your new computer. The import process preserves everything exactly as it was.

The only exception is if you're importing bookmarks from one browser into a completely different browser — for example, exporting from Chrome and importing into Firefox. The bookmarks will transfer, but they may not land in the exact same folder structure because different browsers organize their default folders differently. In that case, you may need to manually reorganize a few bookmarks, but the vast majority will be in the right place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer bookmarks between different browsers?

Yes, but with limitations. Most browsers can import HTML files, so you can export from Chrome as HTML and import into Firefox, Safari, or Edge. However, the folder structure may not transfer perfectly because each browser has different default bookmark folders. Your bookmarks will arrive, but you might need to reorganize some folders manually.

What if I forgot to export my bookmarks before getting a new computer?

If you still have access to your old computer, you can export the bookmarks now and follow the transfer steps. If your old computer is gone, check whether you were signed into a browser account. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all sync bookmarks to your account, so you can sign into that account on your new computer and your bookmarks will read automatically. Safari syncs through iCloud if you were signed in.

Do I need to delete the bookmarks on my new computer before importing?

No. When you import a bookmark file, the new bookmarks are added to whatever bookmarks already exist on that computer. If your new computer came with default bookmarks and you want to keep them, they'll stay. If you want to start fresh, you can manually delete the default bookmarks before importing, or delete them after importing if you prefer.

Will my passwords transfer with my bookmarks?

No. Bookmark export files contain only the web addresses and folder names, not passwords or login information. Passwords are stored separately in your browser's password manager and must be transferred using a different process. Most browsers have their own password export and import features, but some browsers don't allow password export for security reasons.

Can I transfer bookmarks wirelessly without a USB drive or cloud storage?

Yes, if both computers are on the same network. You can email the bookmark file to yourself, use a file-sharing service, or set up a shared folder between the computers. The bookmark file is small (usually less than 1 MB), so any method that transfers files between your computers will work.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.