How to Copy Internet Explorer Settings to a New Computer

Transfer your Internet Explorer files and settings to a new computer.
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Chances are when you get a new computer, you won't want to leave your valuable settings behind on your old PC. This includes important data stored in your browser such as cookies, which are responsible for remembering your usernames and passwords. Internet Explorer offers an easy way to back up your favorites, feeds and cookies to a file. Then you can import that file on to your new computer to restore these settings.

  • USB flash drive

1 Export Internet Explorer Settings

2 Launch Internet Explorer and press

Launch Internet Explorer and press the "Alt" key to bring up the menu bar.

3 In the File menu

In the File menu, click "Import and Export..." Then choose "Export to a file" and click "Next."

4 Select you

Select which settings you would like to export. Options should include Favorites, Feeds, and Cookies. Then click "Next."

5 If you chose to export favorites

If you chose to export favorites, choose from which folder you want to export the favorites, then click "Next." Skip this step if you did not choose to export your favorites.

6 Insert your USB flash drive

Insert your USB flash drive. Depending on what you chose to export, you need to select where you want to store the file for each. Click "Browse..." and then select your flash drive as the storage location. Click "Next" if necessary and click "Export" when you're ready. Click "Finish" to exit the wizard, then eject your flash drive.

7 Import Internet Explorer Settings to New Computer

8 Insert the flash drive into your new computer

Insert the flash drive into your new computer. Launch Internet Explorer and press the "Alt" key to bring up the menu bar.

9 Click Import and Export

In the File menu, click "Import and Export..." Then choose "Import from a file" and click "Next."

10 Select you-2

Select which settings you would like to import. Options include Favorites, Feeds, and Cookies. Then click "Next."

11 For each setting you chose

For each setting you chose, click "Browse..." to locate your flash drive and select the file you want to import. If you chose to import favorites, select the folder where you want to import the favorites. Click "Next" if necessary and click "Import" when you're ready. Click "Finish" to exit the wizard.

  • Properly eject your USB flash drive by right-clicking its icon and selecting "Eject" before pulling it out of your computer.

George Tinari has been writing about technology for more than five years on websites such as IntoMobile, Neowin, TUAW and more. He is a college student who is enthusiastic about all things tech.

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