Edge lost profiles

Hi there,

Thank you for posting your question here!

After a PC restore, it is possible to copy Microsoft Edge profiles from another computer, but this will only work partially. You can transfer the profile folders to recover items like bookmarks, extensions, browsing history, and some settings, but sensitive data such as saved passwords, cookies, autofill information, and signed-in sessions are tied to the original Windows user and usually will not work on the new device.

To try this, first ensure Edge is completely closed on both PCs, then on the source computer go to C:\Users\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data, copy the folders named Default or Profile 1, Profile 2, etc**.**, and paste them into the same location on the restored PC, then replace the existing folders if needed. After that, launch Edge and sign back into your account to restore remaining data. For a more complete and reliable recovery, the recommended approach is to sign into Edge with the same Microsoft account and enable sync, which will automatically restore most of your data securely.

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to rate the thread. Thank you and I appreciate your effort.

Best Regards,

Angelique P.

Edge profiles cannot be copied directly from another PC in a supported way. Profiles are separate on each device, and removing or losing a profile deletes its local browsing data on that device.

To get data back onto the restored PC, use sync or import from another browser or exported files on the other PC:

1. On the source PC (where profiles still exist):
   • Sign into Microsoft Edge with a Microsoft account or work/school account and turn on sync for the profile(s) that contain the data (favorites, passwords, history, etc.).
   • Ensure the desired data types are enabled under Settings and more > Settings > Profiles > Sync (for example, Favorites, Passwords, History, Settings, Extensions, Collections).
2. On the restored PC:
   • Install Microsoft Edge (if needed) and sign in with the same account(s) used on the source PC.
   • Turn on sync for the same data types under Settings and more > Settings > Profiles > Sync.
   • The synced data (favorites, passwords, history, etc.) will be restored from Microsoft’s servers to the corresponding profiles.

If sync was not enabled before the restore, only what was synced to the Microsoft cloud is recoverable. Local-only profile data that was not synced cannot be restored by copying from another PC unless it was exported beforehand.

For data that exists in another browser or in exported files on the other PC, use Edge’s import feature on the restored PC:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Go to Settings and more > Settings > Profiles > Import browser data (or type edge://settings/profiles/importBrowsingData in the address bar).
3. Choose the source browser or select an HTML/CSV file export.
4. Under Choose what to import, select items such as Favorites or bookmarks and Passwords.
5. Select Import.

This recreates key parts of the profile (favorites, passwords, history, etc.) on the restored PC, but profile-level settings and extensions may need to be reconfigured manually if they were not synced.

References:

• User data and privacy in Microsoft Edge
• Move collections, favorites, passwords and more from Microsoft Edge
• Import your favorites and passwords in Microsoft Edge