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backing_up_browser_data

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Browser data can be just as important as your files. However, it does not live in your Documents folder so backing it up might not be straightforward at times. Often times each browser has its own way of storing and exporting its data. Most browsers have two ways to export data, depending on your needs you can decide what method to use.

Google Chrome

From Google Chrome you can either export only your bookmarks, or back up your entire profile. Exporting your entire profile is more complicated, but will also allow you to back up your extensions, preferences, history, and passwords.

Exporting Chrome Bookmarks

Chrome allows you to export your bookmarks to an HTML file. This is accomplished with the following steps:

  1. In Chrome, click on the wrench icon at the top-right of the window.
  2. Go to “Bookmarks”, then click on “Bookmark Manager”.
  3. In the Bookmark Manager, click on “Organize”, then “Export Bookmarks to HTML File…”.
  4. Choose the name and location to save your bookmark backup to and hit “Save”.
  5. You have successfully backed up your bookmarks to an HTML file.

Importing Chrome Bookmarks

Chrome allows you to import your bookmarks from an HTML file you exported at a previous point in time. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. In Chrome, click on the wrench icon at the top-right of the window.
  2. Go to “Bookmarks”, then click on “Bookmark Manager”.
  3. In the Bookmark Manager, click on “Organize”, then “Import Bookmarks from HTML File…”.
  4. Find and select your bookmarks file, then click “Open”.
  5. Chrome will add your bookmarks to a folder named “Imported. From here, you can use the Bookmark Manager to move your bookmarks from that folder if you like.

Backing Up a Chrome Profile

To back up your whole Chrome profile, which includes passwords, bookmarks, and other preferences, follow these steps:

  1. If Chrome is running, close it.
  2. Open an explorer window either by clicking “Computer” in the Start Menu or using the shortcut Windows Key + E.
  3. In the address part of the explorer window, type %localappdata% and hit enter.
  4. Find the “Google” folder, and then inside of it, the “Chrome” folder.
  5. Copy the “User Data” folder to another location (such as a flash drive). It is this folder that contains your Chrome profile.
  6. Once the copy is complete, you have successfully backed up your Chrome profile.

Restoring a Chrome Profile

You can restore a Chrome profile by copying the “User Data” folder you backed up to it's proper location.

  1. If Chrome is running, close it.
  2. Open an explorer window either by clicking “Computer” in the Start Menu or using the shortcut Windows Key + E.
  3. In the address part of the explorer window, type %localappdata% and hit enter.
  4. Find the “Google” folder, and then inside of it, the “Chrome” folder.
  5. Delete the existing “User Data” folder.
    1. Warning: This will delete the current Chrome profile on the machine!
  6. Copy the “User Data” folder from the backup you made to the Chrome folder you have open.
  7. Once the copy completes, you have successfully restored a Chrome profile. The next time you launch Chrome, all of your settings should be restored.

Internet Explorer

In Internet Explorer, you can back up your Favorites by backing up the “Favorites” folder in your user profile folder. When you copy your entire profile folder as instructed in Backing Up Data, you are also backing up your Internet Explorer favorites.

You cannot easily back up your entire Internet Explorer profile. This option is left as an exercise for the reader.

Backing Up Internet Explorer Favorites

You can back up only your Internet Explorer favorites with the following steps:

  1. Close Internet Explorer if it is open.
  2. Open the Start Menu and click your username in the top right.
  3. Select the “Favorites” folder.
  4. Copy the Favorites folder to another location (such as a flash drive, or into your documents folder.

Restoring Internet Explorer Favorites

To restore your Internet Explorer favorites, you need to copy the Favorites folder you backed up to the Favorites folder in your user profile. This is done with these steps:

  1. Close Internet Explorer if it is open.
  2. Open the Start Menu and click your username in the top right.
  3. Copy the Favorites folder you backed up to your profile folder by pasting or dragging it into blank space.
  4. You will be asked if you want to merge the two folders, select yes.
    1. If asked to overwrite any files, go ahead and click yes.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox users can either back up their bookmarks only, or back up their entire profile. Backing up your entire profile is more complicated, but includes bookmarks, passwords, and preferences.

Exporting Firefox Bookmarks

You can export your Firefox bookmarks to HTML format from the bookmark manager. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. In Firefox, click the “Firefox” button at the top left of the window.
  2. Click “Bookmarks” in the menu that appears.
  3. At the top of the Library window, click “Import and Backup”, and then click “Export Bookmarks to HTML…”.
  4. Select the save file and location, then click “Save”.
  5. You have successfully backed up your Firefox bookmarks.

Importing Firefox Bookmarks

You can import your Firefox bookmarks to HTML format from the bookmark manager. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Click “Bookmarks” in the menu that appears.
  2. At the top of the Library window, click “Import and Backup”, and then click “Import Bookmarks from HTML…”.
  3. Select your bookmark backup file and click “Open”.
  4. You have successfully restored your Firefox bookmarks.

Backing Up a Firefox Profile

To back up your whole Firefox profile, which includes passwords, bookmarks, and other preferences, follow these steps:

  1. If Firefox is running, close it.
  2. Open an explorer window either by clicking “Computer” in the Start Menu or using the shortcut Windows Key + E.
  3. In the address part of the explorer window, type %appdata% and hit enter.
  4. Go to the “Mozilla” folder.
  5. Copy the “Firefox” folder to your backup location. This folder contains your Firefox profile.
  6. Once the copy is complete, you've successfully backed up your Firefox profile.

Restoring a Firefox Profile

  1. If Firefox is running, close it.
  2. Open an explorer window either by clicking “Computer” in the Start Menu or using the shortcut Windows Key + E.
  3. In the address part of the explorer window, type %appdata% and hit enter.
  4. Go to the “Mozilla” folder.
  5. Delete the existing Firefox folder.
    1. Warning: This will delete the current Firefox profile on the machine!
  6. Copy the Firefox folder you backed up to the Mozilla folder.
  7. Once the copy is complete, you will have successfully restored your Firefox profile.
backing_up_browser_data.1347382143.txt.gz · Last modified: 2012/09/11 12:49 by abrashear