Google Chrome automatically creates a backup of your bookmarks each time you launch Chrome from a closed state. This is a lesser known feature, and it can save your butt if you ever accidentally delete a bookmark or even worse, a group of bookmarks.
Accidents happen. The delete key is easy to hit. And unlike Internet Explorer, deleted Chrome bookmarks don’t go to the recycle bin –- they get permanently erased on the spot. The only chance of recovery is a backup, so unless you regularly export / backup your bookmarks, the automated backup is your best bet. The only side affect, is that any new bookmarks you’ve created since launching Chrome will also be lost unless you back them up right away.
If you’ve just accidentally deleted a bookmark, whatever you do, don’t close and re-open Chrome. You will lose your backup file. You need to swap the automated backup file first. It’s located at the following location in Windows 7.
%userprofile%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
Find the file named Bookmarks and Bookmarks.bak. In order to see the .bak extension, you’ll need to have File Extensions set to Visible. The plain Bookmarks file is your current set, including the accidental deletion. You don’t want it. But before you do anything, it’s a good idea to completely exit Chrome.
Right click on the Google Chrome icon from the taskbar and select Close all windows.
Be careful that you do not re-open Google Chrome yet. Doing so will overwrite the backup file.
Head back to your default folder and delete the (current) plain Bookmarks file. Then, rename Bookmarks.bak and remove the .bak extension so it matches up with the name of the file you just deleted.
In the end result, you’ll have one Bookmarks file in your default folder; the one that used to be Bookmarks.bak.
Restart Chrome. The accident will have been reversed and your bookmarks will now be back to normal. Enjoy!
Thanks Austin. I’ve been looking for something like this for a while.
If you like geeking around try this: In the Run command copy/paste %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
Copy the Bookmarks file and save it in a new folder, naming it whatever you like. For example, MyGoogleChrome Bookmarks.
Double click on this file and you will be propted to choose a program to open it. (Choose Microsoft Word or notepad or some other text editor).
And lo and behold, you have a record of all your Chrome bookmarks, https and all. Enjoy!
Wow this is a nice little tip! Thanks Ziggy.
Another easy thing if you close your browser also below method works fine.
Follow this way.
C:UsersNAMEAppDataLocalGoogleChromeUser DataDefault.
File name: Bookmarks
in Win 7–> Right click on above file in above location (NAME – make it the account name of yours) and select Restore with previous versions option. this will open another pop up window.
in that window, check the date modified and restore point things, and try to copy it to different location and try to move it to this above folder again and replace. your old deleted bookmarks will come back without creating any fuss.
Great tip @google-8a368df68e3f6b5ff0324799d738ca42:disqus Thnx for the comment. I always seem to have problems getting “Restore Previous Versions”…… I’ll need to play around with it. Great tip however!
Thanks! ONLY this great tip saved my life! It would be nice if my bookmarks stay in google cloud too..
Your bookmarks can!
Follow this: http://www.groovypost.com/howto/howto/setup-chrome-sync-duplicate-multiple-computers-22167/
Thanks Austin!
I Fear that all started from this sync feature.. i use chrome on my pcs and tablet and all are synchronized.
Let me explain, and forgive my english.
I’ve recently formatted an old pc for a friend, and while working on it i’ve installed Chrome and logged in to check my emails. Once done i’ve delete my profile but strangely my bookmarks were still there, so i manually deleted them from the bookmark toolbar. Yesterday i’ve formatted another friend laptop and remembering that behaviour i’ve erased al the bookmark BUT while still logged in, so when i opened my laptop all the bookmark were gone. With the help of this site i’ve managed to restore them from a two days older version.
So, as far as i understand, there’s no “backup” of my bookmarks on google, and i have only to pay more attention while managing them..
And yes, i’ve just saved all my bookmark in an handy html file!
Thanks again to you and JK Kumar!
Ciao!
JK Kumar, you have just saved my life