How To Access Favorites In Microsoft Edge (All Methods, 2026)
You saved a site as a favorite in Microsoft Edge, and now you cannot find where Edge put it.
Favorites are easy to reach once you know the five places they live, and nothing is lost.
This guide shows every way to open them in about two minutes, plus what to do if they are missing.
How do you open favorites in Microsoft Edge? Quick answer
| Method | How to do it | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Favorites button | Click the star button in the address bar | Ctrl+Shift+O |
| Favorites menu | Settings and more (three dots) > Favorites | Alt+F, then Favorites |
| Favorites bar | Settings > Appearance > Customize toolbar > Show favorites bar | Ctrl+Shift+B |
| Manage favorites page | Favorites button > More options (three dots) > Manage favorites | None |
| Phone or tablet | Menu (three dots) > Favorites | None |
Method 1: use the Favorites button or shortcut
This is the fastest way to see everything you have saved.
- Open Edge on your computer.
- Click the Favorites star button in the address bar, or press
Ctrl+Shift+O. - Click any favorite or folder in the flyout to open it.
If the button is not there, jump to the section on turning it on below.
Method 2: open Favorites from the Settings and more menu
- Click Settings and more (the three dots at the top right), or press
Alt+F. - Select Favorites.
The same flyout opens, and it works even when the toolbar button is hidden.
Method 3: how do you show the favorites bar?
The favorites bar is the row of saved sites under the address bar.
- Click Settings and more > Settings > Appearance.
- Under Customize toolbar, open the Show favorites bar drop-down.
- Pick Always.
You can also toggle the bar quickly with Ctrl+Shift+B, or right-click the bar and choose Show favorites bar.
Which favorites bar setting should you choose?
Edge offers three settings, and the default is the reason many people think their favorites vanished.
| Setting | What happens | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Always | The bar shows on every page | One-click access all day |
| Only on new tabs | Shows on a new tab, hides once a site loads (default) | A clean page while browsing |
| Never | The bar stays hidden | Using the star button only |
How do you turn the Favorites button back on?
If the star button is missing from the toolbar, it has been switched off.
- Go to Settings and more > Settings > Appearance.
- Turn on the Show favorites button toggle.
How do you add a favorite?
- Open the page you want to save.
- Press
Ctrl+Dor click the Favorites star button. - Rename it if you like, pick a folder in the Folder menu, and click Done.
To save every open tab at once, open the Favorites flyout, click the three dots, and choose Add all tabs to favorites.
Microsoft’s own page words this as Add open pages to favorites, so the label may differ slightly by version.
How do you organize favorites?
Open the Favorites button, click More options (three dots), then choose Manage favorites.
- Add folder: creates a new folder for grouping sites.
- Edit or delete: rename items or remove ones you no longer need.
- Remove duplicate favorites: cleans up repeats in one click.
Right-click an item on the favorites bar and choose Show icon only to fit more sites on the bar.
How do you open all favorites at once?
Microsoft documents a one-click way to open a whole set, which is handy for a morning routine.
- Open Settings and more > Favorites.
- Right-click the Favorites bar folder (or any folder).
- Choose to open everything in the current window, a new window, or a new InPrivate window.
How do you find favorites on Android or iPhone?
The steps are the same on Android and iOS.
- Tap the menu (three dots) in Edge.
- Tap Favorites, or go to Settings > Favorites on older menus.
To save a page, open the menu and tap Add to favorites.
How do you sync favorites between devices?
Favorites follow your Microsoft account once sync is on.
| Device | Where to turn it on |
|---|---|
| Windows or Mac | Settings > Profiles > your profile > Sync, then switch on Favorites |
| Android or iPhone | Settings > account picture > Sync settings > Sync |
Microsoft warns that if you sync favorites, tabs you set aside will sync too.
Warning: on a phone, choosing to keep existing data separate when you sign in deletes that saved data, so pick merge if you want to keep it.
How do you import or export favorites?
You can bring favorites in from Chrome or Internet Explorer 11 directly, or from any browser through an HTML file.
| Source | Where to start | What to pick |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome or IE11 | Settings > Profiles > Import browser data | Click Import beside the browser, then choose Favorites or bookmarks |
| Other browser (HTML file) | Settings > Profiles > Import browser data > Other import locations | Import from: Favorites or bookmarks HTML file |
| Export from Edge | Manage favorites > More options | Export favorites (saves an HTML file) |
Imported favorites usually land on the favorites bar in a folder called Imported, per Microsoft’s import guide.
Microsoft’s page covers Chrome and Internet Explorer 11 for direct import, so use the HTML file for Firefox or Safari.
Moving between browsers the other way? See How To Import Bookmarks From Firefox To Chrome.
Which keyboard shortcuts work for favorites?
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+D | Adds the current page as a favorite |
| Ctrl+Shift+O | Opens the Favorites flyout |
| Ctrl+Shift+B | Shows or hides the favorites bar |
| Alt+F | Opens Settings and more, where Favorites is listed |
These are the Windows shortcuts, and Microsoft’s support pages do not list Mac equivalents, so Mac users can use the menu paths above.
Why are my Edge favorites missing?
| Symptom | Likely cause | Try this |
|---|---|---|
| Bar disappears after a site loads | Default is Only on new tabs | Set Show favorites bar to Always |
| No star button | Favorites button turned off | Appearance > Show favorites button |
| Favorites differ between devices | Sync is off or a different account is signed in | Check the Sync page and account |
| Phone favorites gone after sign-out | Data was deleted on sign-out | Sign back in and re-sync |
Microsoft says signing out of a work or school account always deletes its data from the phone.
Is Edge acting up in other ways?
If Edge keeps coming back after you remove it, read How To Stop Microsoft Edge From Reinstalling Itself.
To tune the search box too, see How To Integrate Bing With Microsoft Edge.
Official steps are on Microsoft’s pages for sync settings and Edge for mobile.