Bookmarks Disappeared

Question

Hello, I had about 20 bookmarks and this morning I've logged in and they've all completely disappeared (along with history). Since it's a company account I called our IT, he tried a few things but they couldn't do anything about, said it wasn't anything to do about company policy or updates and that it was just something that happens with Microsoft edge sometimes.

Is there a way to get my bookmarks back? I had a backup list of the links but that was from a while ago...

Also, why does Microsoft Edge do this? And can't they do anything to stop this from happening? What is the point of saving something if it just decides one day it doesn't want to save anymore D:

Have restarted, logged out and in, sync is still on...

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Hello,

Can you launch File Explorer, go to

C:\users\your username folder\App data\LocalAppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default

Locate two files -

bookmarks

bookmarks.bak

I would like to see their file sizes and update dates.

Answer 2

Edge favorites and history are stored and synced per profile and per signed-in account. When they suddenly disappear, the most common causes are:

1. A different or new Edge profile is being used.
2. Sync data or cloud‑stored settings were cleared.
3. Favorites were moved into another folder (for example, when older features were migrated).

Based on the available information, the following checks and recovery options are supported:

1. Confirm the correct Edge profile and account
   Edge can create additional profiles (for example, “Profile 2”). If Edge starts using a new profile, existing favorites and history from the original profile will not appear there. In a similar case, deleting the extra profile restored expected behavior.
   • In Edge, select Settings and more (… ) > Settings > Profiles.
   • Verify that the intended work account is the one signed in to the active profile.
   • If an unexpected extra profile exists and is not needed, switch back to the original profile and use that going forward. If the extra profile is the one always opening, set the correct one as default or remove the extra profile.
2. Check Favorites structure for migrated data
   Edge has migrated some legacy items (Reading list, Tabs set aside, Web notes) into Favorites. If favorites appear missing, they may be under subfolders:
   • Select Settings and more (… ) > Favorites > Other favorites.
   • Look for folders such as Reading list saves or Tabs set aside. Items previously stored in those features are now in these folders.
3. Verify sync and cloud‑stored settings
   Favorites and some settings can sync via a Microsoft account or work/school account, and Windows can also sync “Other Windows settings,” including some Edge‑related preferences.
   • In Windows, go to Settings > Accounts > Windows backup.
   • Under Remember my preferences, ensure relevant options are enabled if backup/sync is desired.
   • If Cloud synced settings were cleared previously from the Microsoft Account Devices page, synced data (including some browser‑related settings) may have been removed and cannot be restored.
4. Why this can happen and what can be done
   • Edge profiles are separate containers; if a new profile is created or used by default, existing favorites/history will not show in that profile.
   • Clearing cloud‑synced settings or changing backup/sync configuration can remove or stop syncing some data.
   • Microsoft provides sync and backup mechanisms (Windows backup, Edge sync, and the Microsoft device dashboard) to help preserve and manage data, but if data is deleted from the cloud or a different profile is used, there is no supported way in this context to automatically restore deleted favorites/history.

If the original profile is still present and no cloud‑sync data was cleared, switching back to that profile is the most likely way to recover the bookmarks. Otherwise, the only remaining option in this context is to re‑import from any older backup list that is available.

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References:

• Back up and restore with Windows Backup
• Find your reading list, web notes, and tabs in Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Edge frequently asked questions
• User data and privacy in Microsoft Edge
• Why can't Edge handle two accounts, even when they are assigned to two different profiles? - Microsoft Q&A
• Edge not remembering Setting specifically Disallow Java on certain sites. - Microsoft Q&A