Arlene

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Dear Arlene,

Thank you for your question!

Since you have not specified what version of Windows you are using or what browser you are using, I am going to have to guess that you are using Internet Explorer.

If you are using Windows Vista, or Windows 7, you can quickly access and delete multiple favorites using these directions:

1. Click on “Start”, then click on your user name at the top of the right start menu column. This will open your, “User” folder.

2. In your user folder, you will see a folder named, Favorites. Double click on it to open it.

3. From this window, you can select one or more favorites and delete them. You can also organize them into folders, or double click on any favorite to open it.

I hope this answers your question.

Elizabeth

Thanks for the great work, Nancy

Dear Nancy,

Thank you for your question. Based on the information that you have given me, I am guessing that somehow about 4 weeks ago, you accidentally moved your favorites folder and now Internet Explorer cannot find it.

First, we will need to check and see if my theory is right. Click on the “Start Orb” and then click on your user name located at the top of the right hand column.

You will see a list of folders. This list should include a “Favorites” folder. If not, we have found the reason for your problem.

If the “Favorites” folder is not where it should be, you will have to do a little bit of searching to find it, and then put it back where it belongs. Quite often, people accidentally move a file or folder by dragging it over another folder. I have done this numerous times myself. You will probably be able to find your favorites folder by opening a few of the folders in your user account.

Once you find your favorites folder, you can drag it from its current location, back into your user folder.

Elizabeth

Jeanette G.

Dear Jeanette,

It is easy to remove unwanted favorites.

If you are using the favorites menu in the menu bar:

1. Click on “Favorites” in the menu bar, and then right click on the favorite you want to remove.

2. In the drop down menu that appears, click on “Delete”.

If you are using the favorites sidebar in the left hand side of your Internet Explorer window:

1. Right click on the entry that you want to remove and click on “Delete” in the menu that appears.

Elizabeth

It’s Your Turn: What do you think?
…. Share your experience in the comments box below.

If you are restoring your favorites using Internet Explorer 6:

1. Open Internet Explorer 6.

2. In the menu bar, click on “File” and then click on “Import and Export…”

3. This will start the Import/Export Wizard. On the first page, click the “Next” button.

4. Click on “Import from a file or address” to select it, then click on the “Browse…” button.

5. In the browse window that appears, find the section at the very top of the window that says “Save in” and click on the down arrow to view the list of locations. Find your removable disk, and click on it to select it, then click on the “Save” button.

6. This will take you back to the wizard. Click “Next” to continue.

7. On the next page of the wizard, you need to chose where to save your favorites. I usually just click on the “Favorites” folder at the top of the list, then click “Next”.

8. Click the “Finish” button to start the import, then click on the “OK” button to complete the process.

To restore your favorites using Internet Explorer 7 in Windows XP:

1. Open Internet Explorer 7. Your favorites are now accessed by clicking on a small yellow star in the upper left portion of the window. Click on the smaller yellow star that has a green cross over it. A menu will drop down, click on “Import and Export…” in that menu.

2. The Import/Export Wizard window will open. On the first page, click “Next”.

3. On the second page of the wizard, click on “Import Favorites” and then click “Next”.

4. On the Third page of the wizard, click to select “Import from a file or address” and then click the “Browse…” button.

5. In the browse window that appears, find the section at the very top of the window that says “Look in” and click on the down arrow to view the list of locations. Find your removable disk, and click on it to select it, then click on the “Open” button.

6. This will take you back to the wizard. Click on “Next” to continue

7. On the next page of the wizard, click on the folder you want your favorites to be imported to. Usually the top folder named Favorites is the best choice. Click “Next” to continue.

8. Click on the “Finish” button to start the import, and then click on the “OK” button to complete the process.

To restore your favorites using Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista:

1. Open Internet Explorer 7. Open your favorites menu by clicking on the smaller yellow star that has a green cross over it. A menu will drop down, click on “Import and Export…” in that menu.

2. The Import/Export Wizard window will open. On the first page, click “Next”.

3. On the second page of the wizard, click on “Import Favorites” and then click “Next”.

4. On the Third page of the wizard, click to select “Import from a file or address” and then click the “Browse…” button.

5. In the “Select Bookmark File” window that appears, click on “Computer” in the left hand column. If “Computer” is not visible, click on the “More” button and then click on “Computer” from the list that appears.

6. Click on your removable disk on the right hand side of the window to select it, then click on the “Open” button at the bottom of the window.

7. Click once on your bookmark file, then click “Open” again.

8. This will take you back to the wizard. Click on “Next” to continue

9. On the next page of the wizard, click on the folder you want your favorites to be imported to. Usually the top folder named Favorites is the best choice. Click “Next” to continue.

10. Click on the “Finish” button to start the import, and then click on the “OK” button to complete the process.

Elizabeth

Richard in Rhode Island

Dear Richard,

It is quite easy to backup your favorites. Since you didn’t mention what version of Internet Explorer you are using, I am going to give you directions for version 6 first, and then for version 7.

For this example, we are going to save your favorites to a USB drive, also known as a data stick, or thumb drive. The first step in both methods, is to put your data stick in a USB port on your computer, then open up “My Computer” and you should see your data stick listed as a removable device. Make a note of the drive letter windows has assigned to the data stick, and close “My Computer”.

To Backup your Favorites in Internet Explorer 6, follow these directions:

1. Open Internet Explorer. Click on “File” in the menu bar, then click on “Import and Export…”

2. The Import/Export Wizard window will open. On the first page, click “Next”.

3. On the second page of the wizard, click on “Export Favorites” and then click “Next”.

4. On the third page of the wizard, click on the favorites folder to backup all your favorites, and click “Next”.

5. On the fourth page of the wizard, click on “Export to a file or address”, and then click on the “Browse” button.

6. In the browse window that appears, find the section at the very top of the window that says “Save in” and click on the down arrow to view the list of locations. Find your removable disk, and click on it to select it, then click on the “Save” button.

7. This will take you back to the fourth page of the wizard. Now all you have to do is click on “Next” and then in the last window of the wizard, click on “Finish”.

Your favorites will now be saved on your removable drive.

If you have upgraded to Internet Explorer 7, and are using Windows XP, use these directions:

1. Open Internet Explorer 7. Your favorites are now accessed by clicking on a small yellow star in the upper left portion of the window. Click on the smaller yellow star that has a green cross over it. A menu will drop down, click on “Import and Export…” in that menu.

2. The Import/Export Wizard window will open. On the first page, click “Next”.

3. On the second page of the wizard, click on “Export Favorites” and then click “Next”.

4. On the third page of the wizard, click on the favorites folder to backup all your favorites, and click “Next”.

5. On the fourth page of the wizard, click on “Export to a file or address”, and then click on the “Browse” button.

6. In the browse window that appears, find the section at the very top of the window that says “Save in” and click on the down arrow to view the list of locations. Find your removable disk, and click on it to select it, then click on the “Save” button.

7. This will take you back to the fourth page of the wizard. Now all you have to do is click on “Next” and then in the last window of the wizard, click on “Finish”.

Your favorites will now be saved on your removable drive.

If you are using Internet Explorer 7 with Windows Vista, use these directions:

1. Open Internet Explorer 7. Your favorites are accessed by clicking on a small yellow star in the upper left portion of the window. Click on the smaller yellow star that has a green cross over it. A menu will drop down, click on “Import and Export…” in that menu.

2. The Import/Export Wizard window will open. On the first page, click “Next”.

3. On the second page of the wizard, click on “Export Favorites” and then click “Next”.

4. On the third page of the wizard, click on the favorites folder to backup all your favorites, and click “Next”.

5. On the fourth page of the wizard, click on “Export to a file or address”, and then click on the “Browse” button.

6. In the “Select Bookmark File” window that opens, click on the button in the lower left hand corner that says “Browse Folders”.

7. If you don’t see your removable drive, or “Computer” listed in the left hand side of the window, click on “More” and you will see more choices. Click on “Computer” in that drop down list.

8. Scroll through the list of drives in the right hand side of the window, and click on your removable disk. Click “Open” and then “Save” in the lower right hand corner of the window.

9. This will take you back to the fourth page of the wizard. Now all you have to do is click on “Next” and then in the last window of the wizard, click on “Finish”.

Your favorites will now be saved on your removable drive.

Elizabeth

Dear Computer Lady,

I’m a recent subscriber to The Computer Lady, which I love so much! Thank you for such a wonderful service.

I have Vista. Can you please tell me how I can save my Favorites to a jump drive?

Thank you so much!

Rebecca in TN

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Dear Rebecca,

Vista makes it easy to save your Favorites! Ready to get started? Just follow these directions:

1. Insert your flash drive into a USB port on your computer.

2. When the autorun menu appears, click on “Open Folder to view files”.

3. Move this folder for your flash drive to one side of the screen.

4. Click on the Start Orb to open your start menu.

5. Click on your user name in the top-right section of your start menu.

6. A window will open that contains your user folders, including your documents, pictures, and favorites.

7. Position this second window so that you can see the contents of both open windows on your screen.

8. Now, drag the Favorites folder from your user window to the flash drive window.

9. When the files are finished being copied, close both windows and remove your flash drive.

If you are not sure what a jump drive is, it is one of many names give to small USB storage devices. They are often called, Thumb drives, data sticks, flash drives and jump drives. You might have even more names for these drives.

You can also use these directions to copy additional files including your documents and pictures folders.

Before you remove the flash drive, make sure you click on the “Safely remove hardware” icon in the notification area of your taskbar, and then click “Safely remove USB device”. This will prevent damage to your files.

Elizabeth

Dear Computer Lady,

Is there a way to alphabetize favorites in XP? 

DG 

Dear DG,

You can put your Internet Explorer favorites in alphabetical order in Windows XP the same way you can in Windows 98 and ME.

Open Internet Explorer.

Click on “Favorites” in the menu bar. 

When your list of favorites drops down from the menu bar, right click on any one of the shortcuts and then click “Sort by Name”.

Be sure you use the menu bar, which is at the very top of your Internet Explorer window. It contains the following menus: File Edit View Favorites Tools Help. This will not work if you use Favorites in the toolbar, however, the changes you make in the menu bar will be reflected in the toolbar menu. 

Elizabeth 

I really look forward to your newsletter and learn something valuable from each edition.

I recently purchased a new computer (Dell) with XP Home edition. Is there a way to alphabetize Favorites? I had finally found how to do it with Win. 98….but cannot do it on XP. It makes it much harder to find a listing when I have to go through everything.

Marviene in GA

Dear Marviene,

I get this question a lot. The problem is that you can see your favorites listed in many places, but you can only alphabetize them in one location.

This also works in earlier versions of windows, so if you have Windows 98 or ME, you can use these directions as well.

The menu bar, is the bar across the top of each window that usually starts with items like “File”, “Edit”, “View” and “Insert”.

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Click on “Favorites” in the menu bar. (This will not work if you use Favorites in the toolbar.)

3. When your list of favorites drops down from the menu bar, right click on any one of the shortcuts and then click “Sort by Name”.

Elizabeth