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How do I back up or save a copy of my bookmarks to a file my XP computer can read

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  • Last reply by CAPaul

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I used to make a backup or saved copy of my favorites with internet explorer on my XP computer and the result was an easily opened list of all my links in order. Recently I installed firefox and I now tried to do the same thing. I did a backup to my bookmarks and could not open the file initially. After some searching I was able to open the file with several programs but all of the results were useless. I kept getting a document with tons of data from the extreme left to right side of the screen in no format or in a usable list. So how can I get the backup or a saved copy in microsoft windows works (not word) processor like all my other windows XP documents are in?

I used to make a backup or saved copy of my favorites with internet explorer on my XP computer and the result was an easily opened list of all my links in order. Recently I installed firefox and I now tried to do the same thing. I did a backup to my bookmarks and could not open the file initially. After some searching I was able to open the file with several programs but all of the results were useless. I kept getting a document with tons of data from the extreme left to right side of the screen in no format or in a usable list. So how can I get the backup or a saved copy in microsoft windows works (not word) processor like all my other windows XP documents are in?

Chosen solution

Firefox's format for bookmark backups is not intended to be human readable. However, you can use the export feature to create a file in the same format that IE and other browsers create. Please see: Export Firefox bookmarks to an HTML file to back up or transfer bookmarks.

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Seçilmiş Həll

Firefox's format for bookmark backups is not intended to be human readable. However, you can use the export feature to create a file in the same format that IE and other browsers create. Please see: Export Firefox bookmarks to an HTML file to back up or transfer bookmarks.

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Note that you can still use such a backup in JSON format and restore this file in the Bookmarks Manager (Library) on the XP computer, but only Firefox can process such a bookmarks JSON backup file.

  • Bookmarks > Show All Bookmarks > Import & Backup > Restore > Choose File

Restoring a JSON backup will replace all current bookmarks.

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FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension)

FEBE allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions, history, passwords, and more. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up -- It will actually rebuild your saved files individually into installable .xpi files.
It will also make backup of files that you choose.

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I saw the export option but was not sure it would just function as making a copy OR function as moving my bookmarks which would result in me having none if I failed to properly restore them. I really didn't want the back up file to restore. I wanted it as a record of all my bookmarks before I started to delete many ones Ipprobably will not be using again soon. So, does export result in a new copy elsewhere and leave the present list of bookmarks as is OR does export move them and leave none?

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I saw the export option but was not sure it would just function as making a copy OR function as moving my bookmarks which would result in me having none if I failed to properly restore them. I really didn't want the back up file to restore. I wanted it as a record of all my bookmarks before I started to delete many ones Ipprobably will not be using again soon. So, does export result in a new copy elsewhere and leave the present list of bookmarks as is OR does export move them and leave none?

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Export makes an HTML file of your bookmarks. It does not remove anything from Firefox.

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Thanks to all that sent me answers. Since I am not too computer savvy, I tried the answer that I could relate to first regarding exporting. Then, after being told it would not delete my present bookmarks, I tried it and it worked just as you said. So my problem was solved and I know more about Firefox and feel somewhat more comfortable using it. Thanks.