How do I clean out my Favorites?

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

Seems that the favorites are duplicating in Microsoft Edge. we observed that you have 1 PC, 1 laptop and 2 Surface devices that have Microsoft Edge and synced due to which we assume this issue is occurring.

We will suggest you a process, that you have to apply on all the devices.

1. Logout from Edge in all the devices.
2. Then select one master device and sort the favorites you want to keep.
3. Now completely delete the favorites from other three devices.
4. Sign in to edge on the master device first and sync it.
5. Check the favorites, if anything needs to be added/removed.
6. Restart Edge on the master device and check to confirm.
7. Once you are confirmed with the favorites on the master device, then sign in to edge on other three devices and sync.

Regards,

Aditya Roy

Microsoft Community – Moderator

What I'm seeing is duplicated folders. Then within the folder is the same favorites. For example, I've got a folder named My Stuff. Then if I scroll down further you see folders and favorites until you eventually come across another folder named My Stuff. I can keep scrolling down then I'll encounter a third folder named My Stuff. Keep scrolling and I'll encounter a fourth folder named My Stuff.

It's like this with many of my folders. It's a mess and has been since Windows 8, with IE (back when Window 8 was the hot, new Windows OS). I haven't used Favorites since Windows 8, because it's useless to me. I've tried MANY TIMES to clean this out, but something keeps putting it all back again into all my machines.

EXTREMELY IRRITATING AND FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!

@Dorctor-Who,

Are you seeing duplicates in a single favorites folder, or are they in different folders?

As for cleaning out your favorites please follow these steps:

1. On all devices EXECPT your main device, log out of Microsoft Edge (including phone and tablets). You can do this by entering edge://settings/profiles in your address bar and selecting sign out. You will see a prompt window to confirm. In that window check the box Clear favorites, history, passwords, and other browsing data from this device. Make sure that box is checked before you sign out.
2. Once step one is complete. Reset sync on your main device. This can be done at edge://settings/profiles/sync by selecting the Reset sync option. Uncheck "Resume sync on this device after resetting sync" before your confirm.
3. Enter edge://favorites/ in your address bar. You should be able to see all of your favorites. At this point it's a manual process of deleting duplicates as I don't have an automated solution.
4. Once your favorites is cleaned out enter edge://settings/profiles/sync in address bar and select Turn on sync and confirm.
5. In edge://settings/profiles/sync make sure Favorites Slider is set to the on position.
6. Log into other devices to confirm changes propagated correctly.

Let me know if you run into any issues, or need clarification on any of the steps.

Hi, Microsoft Edge has an option to remove duplicate Favorites. If you would like to give it a shot before you delete everything, follow these steps:

1. Type, or copy and paste: edge://favorites/removeDuplicates in your address bar.
2. Confirm remove duplicates.

The changes will sync through all your logged in devices.

If your going down the delete all path, I suggest exporting your favorites first, just incase.

Deleting all your favorites can be done when you log out of your synced account. When you click the Sign out button you will get the option to Clear favorites, history, passwords, and other browsing data from your device.

To answer your latest question specifically. Your master device will initially remember all your favorites. You will need to delete the favorites that you don't want. Once that is done, when you login with your other devices, they will sync to whatever favorites are left on your master device.

Hi, thanks for reaching out to the Community. Let me find someone who can address your question.