Solved favorites folder and import problems

PETERPNYC · Jul 29, 2009

I am newbie and running Vitsa Basic 32 bit. I hope I am in correct thread and this is my first post.

My questions are does Vista need to have a User name/ documents / favorites folder? And a User name/ favorites folder?
I had a problem importing favorites from my win XP IE 7 via a flash drive,( not a valid bookmark file error ) and after upgrading to IE 8, uninstalling IE 8 and reverting back to IE 7 I got my favorites into the User Name non documents folder.
I deleted the favs folder in documents which showed it as empty. Now I cannot re import my favs again from the flash drive.
I am trying to avoid the whole process of installing IE 8 and reverting to 7 again and I think I did some stupid deleting.

Can I just create a documents /folder name favorites and hope that IE will import form there? If so I tried it and got an error ( incomplete URL ). I am in over my head .

Should I have just been happy that my favorites seemed to work with just the User Name Favorites folder and not messed around?

Brink · Jul 29, 2009

Hello Peter, and welcome to Vista Forums.

It sounds like your Favorites folder does not have the default location set for it. Check with OPTION THREE in the tutorial below to make sure that it is set at it's default location.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/148461-personal-user-folder-restore-missing-folder.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

PETERPNYC · Jul 29, 2009

IS there a default location for it and would it be corrrect to appear in 2 locations? The only reason I started to look at it was because I had problems transferrring favs from XP. Also would deleting it in one location delete it in the other ( I THINK THAT HAPPENED )

Because I am sorta lost , is going to start/ documents / favorites the same as going to start> explore /user name / favorites . It appears there are favorites folders and there always were.

I am trying to undertsand Vista better . At this moment my favs are working fine with the 2 folders, and when I deleted the one in > Plain documents , I lost them all and had to restore them from the recycle bin.

Its confusing because they were not in the folder that I had deleted aweek ago when I transferred them into favs via the IE 8 back to IE7 route.

After you explain the workings of Vista to me , do you think I should leave well enough alone , as long as the favs seem to be working ok ?

P.S the favs folder I created in documents does not have location (general , sharing, security, location, customize) option like the one in Explore/user name / favs does . It only has the other 4 options in that file properties

Ardneh · Jul 29, 2009

Welcome to the Forum

Answers to specific questions:

Vista doesn't need to have a User name/ documents / favorites folder.

Can I just create a documents /folder name favorites and hope that IE will import form there?
We can always hope,however this probably won't work as you'd like it to.

Shoulda been happy.

In vista the Favorites folder is normally between the Downloads and Links folders in the <UserName> folder.

Shouldn't appear in two locations.

Start> explore /user name / favorites is Vista normal.

This is an oversimplification,but if you equate XP -- MyDocuments with
Vista -- <UserName> folder you should do well.

Leaving well enough alone is best until you become more Vista-familiar.

Ardneh

PETERPNYC · Jul 29, 2009

Well favorites is in the location you mentioned tween downloads and links.
Originally there was also a favs folder in start>documents>user name.

Unless someone tells me otherwise and explains why?, I am leaving everything as is at the moment , with the folder you mentioned and the one in start>documents>user name I recreated, and favs working ok

Brink · Jul 29, 2009

Peter,

Vista uses symbolic links with the user folders. Right now your Favorites folder has been moved to the C:\Users\(user-name)\Documents\Favorites location instead of it's default C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites location. That is why it is not working for you.

If you would like to restore it back to default, then you can:

Backup the contents of the Favorites folders to another location.
Use the Favorites REG file download as instructed in the post above.
Delete both Favorites folders.
Open the Start Menu, and type shell:Favorites in the search line and press Enter.
Restart the computer to apply. You may need to restart a couple of times.

PETERPNYC · Jul 30, 2009

Brink said:
Peter,

Vista uses symbolic links with the user folders. Right now your Favorites folder has been moved to the C:\Users\(user-name)\Documents\Favorites location instead of it's default C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites location. That is why it is not working for you.

If you would like to restore it back to default, then you can:

Backup the contents of the Favorites folder.

Use the Favorites download as instructed in the post above.

Delete both Favorites folders.

Open the Start Menu, and type shell:Favorites in the search line and press Enter.

Restart the computer to apply. You may need to restart a couple of times.

Actually my favs have been moved to explore /desktop /computer/ OS C:/ users/PeterP/ favorites ( between documents and links) and opening it shows folders only , one of those which is another favs folder . In that other favs folder is a bookmark folder ( that is a HTML document that started all this trouble to begin with ? that has all the folders plus the individual bookmarks in it again .

It also is found in Explore / Desktop /PeterP / favs ( between documents and links) and again only the folders show and there is an additional favs folder.
In that other favs folder is a bookmark (HTML) that has all the folders plus the individual bookmarks in it again .

In start / documents is a favorites folder that I have recreated . When I click on start/documents in the address bar it says documents/ PeterP / favorites then displays the file folder I recreated . This folder opens to a file labeled bookmarks and opens to the same bookmarks I have in the favs subfolders mentioned above

You can understand my confusion. Is this what is called file sharing ?

In any event I remember distinctly that there was a favs folder in start/ documents/. That’s why I recreated it . Are you saying that there should not be any such folder. When I deleted it I lost all my favorites in IE favorites

Here is the microsft info on importing IE 7 favorites where the reference to Documents folder Bookmark.html was found.

#5 By default Internet Explorer imports from a fole called Bookmark.html in you Documents folder

Import or export favorites in Internet Explorer - Windows Vista Help

Do you think I should do the procedure you mentioned , or leave well enough alone ?

Dwarf · Jul 30, 2009

Hi Peter,

To change font sizes when making posts, click on Go Advanced.

An enhanced editing screen appears with more options available. The one you require is highlighted.

I have just edited your posts - the text in question didn't appear to have a font associated with it (or was originally written in a font that is not associated with the forum and then pasted). I simply selected all of the text and changed the font to the forum default - Verdana.

Brink · Jul 30, 2009

PETERPNYC said:
Brink said:

Peter,

Vista uses symbolic links with the user folders. Right now your Favorites folder has been moved to the C:\Users\(user-name)\Documents\Favorites location instead of it's default C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites location. That is why it is not working for you.

If you would like to restore it back to default, then you can:

Backup the contents of the Favorites folder.

Use the Favorites download as instructed in the post above.

Delete both Favorites folders.

Open the Start Menu, and type shell:Favorites in the search line and press Enter.

Restart the computer to apply. You may need to restart a couple of times.

Click to expand...

Actually my favs have been moved to explore /desktop /computer/ OS C:/ users/PeterP/ favorites ( between documents and links) and opening it shows folders only , one of those which is another favs folder . In that other favs folder is a bookmark folder ( that is a HTML document that started all this trouble to begin with ? that has all the folders plus the individual bookmarks in it again .

It also is found in Explore / Desktop /PeterP / favs ( between documents and links) and again only the folders show and there is an additional favs folder.
In that other favs folder is a bookmark (HTML) that has all the folders plus the individual bookmarks in it again .

In start / documents is a favorites folder that I have recreated . When I click on start/documents in the address bar it says documents/ PeterP / favorites then displays the file folder I recreated . This folder opens to a file labeled bookmarks and opens to the same bookmarks I have in the favs subfolders mentioned above

You can understand my confusion. Is this what is called file sharing ?

In any event I remember distinctly that there was a favs folder in start/ documents/. That’s why I recreated it . Are you saying that there should not be any such folder. When I deleted it I lost all my favorites in IE favorites

Here is the microsft info on importing IE 7 favorites where the reference to Documents folder Bookmark.html was found.

#5 By default Internet Explorer imports from a fole called Bookmark.html in you Documents folder

Import or export favorites in Internet Explorer - Windows Vista Help

Do you think I should do the procedure you mentioned , or leave well enough alone ?

Yeah, that's to just export and import your favorites instead. I find just manually copying and pasting them as a backup from the C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites folder easier to do.

Copy the favorites in that folder to another location as a backup to restore late from, then go ahead and follow the instructions above to restore your default C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites user folder. This folder should not be located in the Documents folder or anywhere else.

PETERPNYC · Jul 30, 2009

So you are saying the imports exports info from microsoft is incorrect? and the fact that I originally had a start>documents>favorites folder on my OEM installed vista basic was wrong.

I have a tough time getting my head around both of those statements.

Also when I initially copied and pasted like you said, I could not add more favorites to the same folder. I had to enter them into favites and then go to organize favites and move each and every one I wanted to add to my self made folders in favorites.

Thats what started this whole process?

Brink · Jul 30, 2009

The link from Microsoft you posted is for exporting and importing your Favorites as a backup and restore feature. By default, it exports the favorites into the Documents folder as a backup only. This may be what you are getting confused about I believe.

Your true Favorites folder is at C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites by default in all Vista versions and no where else. If you can select from and use your favorites from within Internet Explorer (Favorites on Menu Bar), then you are fine.

If not, then use the instructions here to restore the default C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites folder to be able to use them in Internet Explorer.

I hope this helps clears this up more. If not, then please let me know what you are not sure about.

PETERPNYC · Jul 31, 2009

AN UPDATE new info
“ Favs folder is also found in C;\Users\PeterP\documents. That makes a total of four places that I can find the favs folder in various forms . In some it appears as Folder Icons when I open it and in others it says bookmark and looks like a shortcut link WHAT SHOLD I DO ? Copy all the favs to the desktop or flashdrive and do the procedure you mentioned. Also which should I copy ? the one that says bookmarks , or the one that shows folder icons “

Actually my favs have been moved to explore /desktop /computer/ OS C:/ users/PeterP/ favorites ( between documents and links) and opening it shows folders only , one of those which is another favs folder . In that other favs folder is a bookmark folder ( that is a HTML document that started all this trouble to begin with ? that has all the folders plus the individual bookmarks in it again .

It also is found in Explore / Desktop /PeterP / favs ( between documents and links) and again only the folders show and there is an additional favs folder.
In that other favs folder is a bookmark (HTML) that has all the folders plus the individual bookmarks in it again .

In start / documents is a favorites folder that I have recreated . When I click on start/documents in the address bar it says documents/ PeterP / favorites then displays the file folder I recreated . This folder opens to a file labeled bookmarks and opens to the same bookmarks I have in the favs subfolders mentioned above

You can understand my confusion. Is this what is called file sharing ?

In any event I remember distinctly that there was a favs folder in start/ documents/. That’s why I recreated it . Are you saying that there should not be any such folder. When I deleted it I lost all my favorites in IE favorites

Here is the microsft info on importing IE 7 favorites where the reference to Documents folder Bookmark.html was found.

#5 By default Internet Explorer imports from a fole called Bookmark.html in you Documents folder

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/40889d4d-7758-4670-973d-e730a86706351033.mspx#EGH

PETERPNYC · Jul 31, 2009

Brink said:
The link from Microsoft you posted is for exporting and importing your Favorites as a backup and restore feature. By default, it exports the favorites into the Documents folder as a backup only. This may be what you are getting confused about I believe.

Your true Favorites folder is at C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites by default in all Vista versions and no where else. If you can select from and use your favorites from within Internet Explorer (Favorites on Menu Bar), then you are fine.

If not, then use the instructions here to restore the default C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites folder to be able to use them in Internet Explorer.

I hope this helps clears this up more. If not, then please let me know what you are not sure about.

Sorry I had not read this comment because it was on page 2 before my previous answer. Now I understand that the Documents /favs folder is a backup. Favs is working ok but do I need the favs folder in four places including the backup? Is it better to leave them all alone if they are doing no damage , rather than risk the complicated (for me) process .

I hope this comes through in larger fonts as my previous messages were copied and pasted from WORD and regardless what I elected for font size they printed very small.

I will know as soon as I post this reply
Thanks for all your help

Peter P

Brink · Jul 31, 2009

Peter,

I would say as long as it works just finefrom within Internet Explorer where you can add and sort your Favorites, then I would not worry about it then.

PETERPNYC · Jul 31, 2009

Brink said:
Peter,

I would say as long as it works just finefrom within Internet Explorer where you can add and sort your Favorites, then I would not worry about it then.

View attachment 14623

Thanks again for all your help. Is it possible that Vista creates a backup folder in Documents and in User name/ documents like you described, or are they one and the same?

Because when I click on start/documents the folder that opens containing all my documents is named Peter P. and has word docs plus favorites that I recreated.

Sorry for wasting sooo much of your time , but I am getting an education from you on Vista

Because I am a little anal I am tempted to delete the favs fold in start/documents but afraid that might delete everything.

Brink · Jul 31, 2009

Vista would only create a backup in the Documents folder if you did the Export option for Favorites in IE from that link at Microsoft and let is be saved there.

It sounds like it is just where your MS Word program is storing it docs plus favorits then instead. Is this identical to what you see in the C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites folder (for website bookmarks in IE). If not, then it is used by MS Word and should not be deleted and you have nothing to worry about.

PETERPNYC · Jul 31, 2009

** When I access it via C:\ Users\Peter P\documents ( Green folder) I find a folder marked Bookmark.htm plus a folder labeled Favorites.

When I open the bookmark.htm it is an 80 KB bookmark file (E) file that shows all my favs in their categories. When I open the Favorites folder in this location it is identical to the bookmark.htm file.(E)

** When I access it via C:\ users\PeterP\ Favorites it is a favs folder which is part of a series of green iconed folders and it has a yellow star on it . When I open this file it opens a group of folders not a HTML bookmark. This is supposed to be the correct file in its proper location ? am I correct?

Also in C:\Users\ Peter P \documents there are two folders labeled Bookmark.html and Favorites which contain an 80 KB (E) bookmark HTML document type .

Also in explore > Desktop> Peter P without going through Users\Peter P process Its in Documents, downloads and Favorites folder.
Is this normal way of filing for Vista or is this redudancy slowiing my computer down . Is it possible to delete any one of these locations safely , or just leave well enough alone. I hate to have unessary clutter on my machine, but I dont want to cause further damage.
Do you think it would be safe to at least delete the Favorites(E) plus the bookmark.html folder I have recreated in
Start> documents that shows up as Peter P > documents.

I think I am getting an understanding of what Vista does in creating backup files because I remember creating a Favs folder in Documents but I did not create a bookmark.html there , and they have the same 80 KB contents created on the same date 7/12/09 .
Thx again
Peter

Ardneh · Jul 31, 2009

PETERPNYC:

Just leave well enough alone.

It is normal for new folders to show up inside your Documents folder,
various programs put them there ; normal.

Ardneh

Brink · Jul 31, 2009

The bookmark.html files are backup exported files. They and their folder should be safe to delete. You can leave them in the Recycle Bin to see if you have any problems with them gone before actually emptying the Recycle Bin in case you need to restore them.

Just leave the C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites folder intact though.

As Ardneh posted, it will not hurt anything to just leave them to be safe.

PETERPNYC · Jul 31, 2009

Brink said:
The bookmark.html files are backup exported files. They and their folder should be safe to delete. You can leave them in the Recycle Bin to see if you have any problems with them gone before actually emptying the Recycle Bin in case you need to restore them.

Just leave the C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites folder intact though.

As Ardneh posted, it will not hurt anything to just leave them to be safe.

Well I told you I was a little anal. I deleted the favs folder and the backup.html folder in Start documents. My favs worked in IE and when I was sure they worked I deleted them from the recycly bin.

Now I have the same favs folders in 4 places #1 Explore \desktop \PeterP downloads and #2 start\PeterPavorites folder with the star on it

**** plus the indentical folder in 2 places #3 Explore\users\PeterP\ documents and #4 Favorites folder with the star on it .

The ones in download open up all the folders plus the individual bookmarks( which I fount out i can not open now that I deleted them from documents). The ones in Favorites with the star open up the folders and have a bookmark file with the E file bookmark.html docs that I can not open now. It looks for these in documents and it cant find them because I deleted them LOL .

I guess I am having a little fun but I think I know less than I knew before.

I now know that both files do not contain the exact same set of favs as I see some in the Desktop\Peter P\Downloads \ Favorites folder that I have deleted in IE and do not show in IE favs .

I have compared The Green folder favorites with the star on it and it corresponds with what IE has in kits favs albeit not in the exact same alphabetical order. LOL .

So I conclude there are 2 different folders LOL
Do you guys think I can delete the folder in downloads and just leave the 2 Green Favorites folders with the stars on them .

Am I looking for trouble, and are you guys having as much fun as I am

I appreciate all your help

Solved favorites folder and import problems

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