What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The safest way to move Microsoft Edge favorites (bookmarks) to a new Windows account is either to sign in to Edge with the same Microsoft account and enable Favorites sync, or to transfer a favorites HTML file and import it into the destination profile. Sync can bring over additional Edge data, while HTML import is a deliberate handoff for favorites when the Microsoft account is different or sync is unavailable.
First, understand what you are moving
A Windows account and an Edge profile are separate layers. Your Windows account is the sign-in you use to reach the desktop, files and system settings. An Edge profile is a browser environment inside that Windows account. Each Edge profile can have its own favorites, settings, extensions, theme, preferences and sign-in state.
Creating a new Edge profile does not copy data from another Windows account. It creates a clean browser environment unless you sign in and synchronize data or import a file. Likewise, creating a new Windows account does not automatically attach the old account’s Edge profile to it.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallMicrosoft Edge calls bookmarks favorites. You will see both terms in instructions and menus: the import command is labeled “Favorites or bookmarks HTML file.”
#1 Best Overall
- USB-C 2-in-1 storage OTG: The Lexar JumpDrive Dual Drive D40E features USB Type-A and Type-C connectors in a slim, portable form factor for easy device compatibility
- Transfer speeds up to 100MB/s: Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes
- Plug and Play: Widely compatible with USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required. The 360° swivel design allows for easy switching between connectors without the hassle of losing a cap
- Durable & Compact: The Lexar D40E USB memory stick features a metal enclosure, withstands temperatures from 0° to 50° C (32°F to 122°F), and is lightweight at 26g with dimensions of 70.4 x 16.9 x 11.7mm
- Security & Warranty: Securely protects files using an advanced security software solution with 256-bit AES encryption. Backed by a Lexar 3-year limited warranty
Choose the right migration method
| Situation | Recommended method | What it can move | Network or file needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| You can use the same Microsoft account in both Windows accounts | Sign in to Edge in both places and enable Favorites sync | Favorites plus other categories whose sync toggles are enabled, such as passwords, history, extensions, settings, open tabs and autofill | Internet access for synchronization and the same Microsoft account |
| The destination uses a different Microsoft account, or sync is unavailable | Export favorites to an HTML file, transfer the file, then import it | Favorites contained in the HTML file | A transferable HTML file; a USB drive is optional, not required |
| You want a complete copy of an Edge profile folder | Do not treat manual profile-folder copying as an officially supported migration | Not established by Microsoft’s documented procedures | Use sync or HTML import instead |
Use sync when you want more than favorites and can keep one Microsoft account in both Edge profiles. Use HTML when you need an explicit, portable favorites handoff or when the accounts cannot share synchronization.
Method 1: move data with Edge sync
This route works when the old and new Edge profiles can sign in with the same Microsoft account. Sync is controlled per Edge profile, so enabling it in one profile does not automatically enable it in another.
1. Check the old profile before changing Windows accounts
- Sign in to the old Windows account and open Microsoft Edge.
- Open Settings > Profiles > Sync.
- Confirm that the profile is signed in to the Microsoft account you intend to use in the destination Windows account.
- Make sure the Favorites sync toggle is enabled. Review the other available toggles and enable only the data categories you actually want to carry over.
Edge’s sync settings allow data types to be selected. Depending on the account and current Edge controls, categories can include favorites, passwords, browsing history, extensions, settings, open tabs and autofill. Treat payment information separately: account-specific handling means you should not assume every payment detail will appear in the destination profile.
2. Sign in to the destination profile
- Sign in to the new Windows account and open Edge.
- If Edge asks you to create or select a profile, use the profile that will be your everyday browser environment.
- Sign in with the same Microsoft account used in the old Edge profile.
- Open Settings > Profiles > Sync and enable Favorites. Select any other sync categories you deliberately want to restore.
- Leave Edge connected long enough for the synchronized data to appear. The exact delay depends on the account and service state, so do not judge the migration immediately after signing in.
3. Verify favorites before removing anything
Open the Favorites menu and inspect the folders as well as individual links. Check several nested folders and a few URLs you know were present in the old profile. If you use the Favorites bar, confirm that its folders and ordering look correct. Also inspect any other category you elected to synchronize before treating the move as complete.
Rank #2
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9 plus; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
Keep the old Windows account or old Edge profile available until this check is finished. With sync enabled, deleting synchronized data in one profile can propagate that deletion to other devices or profiles using the account. Do not clear favorites merely to tidy the old profile unless you intend the deletion to synchronize.
Method 2: move favorites with an HTML file
Use this method when the new Windows account will use a different Microsoft account, when organizational policy prevents Edge sync, or when you want a file you can inspect and transfer independently. The HTML route is specifically a favorites migration; it is not a complete Edge-profile transfer.
1. Create the favorites HTML file in the old profile
In the old Windows account, use the current Edge favorites export command to create an HTML file. Microsoft’s documented import procedure covers the destination side, while the exact source-side export clicks can vary with the Edge version and interface. Therefore, follow the export control currently shown in your Edge installation rather than relying on an old menu path.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Before exporting, open the Favorites manager and remove links you no longer need if you want a clean destination. If you want an exact archive, leave the existing folders intact. The resulting HTML file is the handoff; Edge does not require a particular brand or type of removable storage.
Rank #3
- What You Get - 2 pack 64GB genuine USB 2.0 flash drives, 12-month warranty and lifetime friendly customer service
- Great for All Ages and Purposes – the thumb drives are suitable for storing digital data for school, business or daily usage. Apply to data storage of music, photos, movies and other files
- Easy to Use - Plug and play USB memory stick, no need to install any software. Support Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports
- Convenient Design - 360°metal swivel cap with matt surface and ring designed zip drive can protect USB connector, avoid to leave your fingerprint and easily attach to your key chain to avoid from losing and for easy carrying
- Brand Yourself - Brand the flash drive with your company's name and provide company's overview, policies, etc. to the newly joined employees or your customers
2. Transfer the file to the new Windows account
Copy the HTML file to a location the destination Windows account can read. You can use a shared folder, a network location, cloud storage or removable media. A USB flash drive is optional convenience, not a requirement of Edge’s import process.
Keep the original file until you have verified the imported result. If the two accounts are on the same computer, avoid placing the file in a location that the destination account cannot access because of Windows permissions.
3. Import the file into the destination Edge profile
- Sign in to the new Windows account and open Edge.
- Open Settings > Profiles > Import browser data.
- Under Other import locations, choose the import control.
- Select Favorites or bookmarks HTML file.
- Browse to the transferred HTML file, select it and complete the import.
Edge places imported favorites in a folder on the Favorites bar. The folder may be named Imported. Open that folder and move items into your preferred destination folders only after confirming that the links are present.
4. Check for duplicates and folder placement
HTML import adds the file’s favorites to the destination profile; it does not know which existing links you consider duplicates. Compare the imported folders with favorites already present in the new profile. If the destination was not empty, you may need to reorganize or remove duplicate links manually. Do this only after checking that the imported URLs open as expected.
Rank #4
- GOOD VALUE PACKAGE - 1 Pack 32GB Memory Stick USB 2.0 Flash Drives with great cost performance and high quality.
- BIG CAPACITY - The available capacity: 29.10GB-29.8GB, You can save the data of movies, music, photos, designs, programs, manuals, handouts in a high speed.Good performance in digital data storing, transferring and sharing with families, friends, workmates, clients and machines.
- EASY TO USE & PLUG AND WORK - Support windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, Compatible with USB2.0 and below.
- TWISTTURN DESIGN & EASY CARRY - The metal clip rotates 360° round the ABS plastic body which with rubber oil skin feeling finish. The capless design can avoid lossing of cap, and providing efficient protection to the USB port.
- WARRANTY & SUPPORT - SIMMAX logo is laser printed on the USB connector surface, our products are of good quality and we promise that any problem about the product within one year since you buy.
What each method does and does not move
| Data or setting | Same-account sync | Favorites HTML import | Practical implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Favorites and folders | Yes, when Favorites sync is enabled | Yes, from the selected HTML file | Both supported routes can move bookmarks |
| Passwords | May sync when its toggle is available and enabled | No | Do not expect an HTML favorites file to contain passwords |
| Browsing history | May sync when enabled | No | History requires the sync route and its corresponding setting |
| Extensions | May sync when enabled | No | Review extension availability and sign-in separately after migration |
| Edge settings and preferences | May sync when enabled | No | HTML import does not recreate the old profile’s appearance or options |
| Open tabs | May sync when enabled | No | Open tabs are a sync category, not part of a favorites file |
| Autofill | May sync when enabled | No | Check the destination profile rather than assuming it transferred |
| Payment information | Account-specific handling; do not assume every item transfers | No | Verify payment details using the account’s supported controls |
| Windows files and system settings | No | No | These are outside Edge’s profile migration methods |
The sync column describes categories Edge can expose as selectable sync data; availability and behavior can depend on the account and the toggles shown in your installation. Neither route should be described as a guaranteed copy of every piece of an old Edge profile.
Do not confuse a new Edge profile with a new Windows account
Edge’s profile menu lets you create a separate profile and then choose whether to sign in and synchronize or start without sync. That profile keeps its own bookmarks, settings, extensions, themes and preferences inside the current Windows account. It is useful for separating work and personal browsing, but it is not a Windows-user migration tool.
If you created a destination Edge profile first, you can still use either method: sign that profile in with the same Microsoft account and enable sync, or import the favorites HTML file into it. Make sure you are working in the intended profile; importing into one profile will not make the favorites appear in another profile on the same Windows account.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhy Windows Backup is not a complete Edge-profile move
Microsoft’s Windows Backup guidance tells consumers to sign in to Edge and turn on sync to keep Edge preferences available. That guidance does not document Windows Backup as a complete transfer of an Edge profile between Windows accounts. It also notes constraints for work or school accounts.
Best Value
- 【16GB Flash Drive】USB flash drives with 16GB capacity, meet your needs of daily use on work, school, home and travelling for photos, music, videos, files storage and transfer. IMEASON thumb drives can be used to store different files, easy to data backup.
- 【Metal Swivel Cap Design】USB thumb drive is metal swivel cover provides extra protection for the usb thumbdrive connector, no usb drive cap to lose; keychain design makes it easier to carry without worrying lose it.
- 【Wide Compatibility】USB drive supports Windows 7/8/10/11 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, also Supports USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports. USB Stick support TV, desktop, notebook computer, car, audio and other device. The USB Memory Stick is your great data storage and transfer companion with traveling and working.
- 【Easy to use】usb memory stick is plug and play without any software installation. Just simply plug the Flashdrive into the port of your USB-compatible devices such as computer, laptop to start data storage or transmission.
- 【What You Get】16 GB USB Flash Drive Thumb Drive, The default format of the usb storage flash drive is FAT32.
For an Edge migration, treat Windows Backup as separate from the two procedures above. Use Edge sync for supported categories or use the favorites HTML file when you need a direct bookmark handoff. Do not promise that restoring a Windows backup alone will recreate every Edge profile setting, extension, credential or payment detail.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot the move
Favorites do not appear after signing in
- Open Settings > Profiles > Sync in the destination profile and confirm that Favorites is enabled.
- Check that the destination profile is signed in to exactly the same Microsoft account as the old profile, not merely an account with the same display name.
- Wait for synchronization to complete, then close and reopen the Favorites menu.
- Return to the old profile, verify that its favorites are present and that Favorites sync was enabled there.
The wrong favorites appeared
Multiple Edge profiles can be signed in to different accounts. Open the profile menu and confirm which profile is active before changing sync settings. If the wrong account was used, stop deleting or reorganizing favorites: changes made while sync is active can propagate. Sign in to the intended account in the intended profile and verify its data first.
The imported folder is hard to find
Look on the Favorites bar for a folder named Imported or a similar import folder. Edge’s documented behavior is to place imported favorites in a folder on that bar. If the Favorites bar is not visible, use Edge’s Favorites menu or manager to locate the folder, then move links after inspection.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The HTML file cannot be selected or imports nothing
- Confirm that you selected Favorites or bookmarks HTML file under Other import locations, rather than a different browser-data source.
- Verify that the file was completely copied to the destination account and is readable there.
- Try the import again from the intended Edge profile, not from another profile window.
- If the source export produced an empty or incomplete file, return to the old profile and create a new export using the current Edge interface.
You cannot use the old Microsoft account
Sync requires access to the same Microsoft account in both profiles. If that access is unavailable, use the HTML route if you can still open the old Edge profile and create the file. If you cannot open the old profile or obtain its favorites file, neither documented route can retrieve data that is inaccessible; avoid claiming that a new Edge profile will reconstruct it automatically.
Your organization blocks sync
Work or school policies can restrict account sign-in, synchronization or backup behavior. In that situation, an HTML favorites file may provide the supported handoff for bookmarks, subject to your organization’s policy. Other profile data may require separate, administrator-approved procedures.
When it is safe to remove the old profile
- Open the destination Favorites menu and inspect several folders and links.
- Confirm the destination profile and Microsoft account are the ones you intend to keep.
- If you used sync, check every data category you deliberately enabled and verify the items that matter to you.
- If you used HTML import, keep the original HTML file until the imported structure and links are confirmed.
- Only then remove the old Edge profile or Windows account, and do not delete synchronized favorites merely as cleanup unless you intend that deletion to propagate.
Keeping the old account temporarily gives you a recovery reference. Once it is deleted, the availability of the original Edge profile and any unsynchronized data depends on whatever separate backup or export you retained.
Quick decision checklist
- Same Microsoft account available: use Edge sync, enable Favorites in both profiles, and verify before cleanup.
- Different account or no sync: create a favorites HTML file in the old profile, transfer it, and import it through Settings > Profiles > Import browser data.
- Only bookmarks are needed: HTML import is the more explicit, portable handoff.
- Passwords, history, extensions or settings are needed: review the sync toggles; an HTML file will not carry them.
- Complete profile-folder copying: do not treat it as a documented migration method; use sync or HTML import instead.
The practical answer
For most moves, sign in to Edge in the new Windows account with the same Microsoft account and turn on Favorites sync. If the account must change or sync cannot be used, transfer a favorites HTML file and import it through Edge’s documented import path. In both cases, verify the destination before deleting the old profile, because a new Edge profile is not the same thing as a migrated Windows account and synchronized deletions can affect other locations.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
