David from NH writes:
I use multiple browsers, is there a way to sync the Favorites List so that they contain the same sites and when new sites are added that they be synced on each browser?
Great question! Most major browsers have a sync function that lets you save all your favorite bookmarks and sync them with other computers that run the same browser. However, if you use Firefox on one computer and Internet Explorer on another, the need to have synchronicity between browsers becomes increasingly important. Thankfully, there is a solution.
Xmarks is a free bookmark syncing tool that works on Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Internet Explorer. Once installed, it will sync new and existing bookmarks between ANY browser. If your computer crashes, or you need to re-install your browser, simply log in to Xmarks, and all your bookmarks will magically appear before your eyes. Xmarks can even sync your open tabs so that they will also sync to other devices. Here’s how to set that up.
1. Go to http://www.xmarks.com and click on the Install Now button.
2. On the next screen click Download Xmarks and follow the prompts from your browser. Installation varies slightly depending on which browser you are using, but specific instructions are included on this page so you know what to expect. (Note that you may be prompted to restart your browser to complete the installation).
3. Once Xmarks has finished installing, you will be asked to click a white balloon to finish setting up Xmarks, and the first thing you need to do is create an account. You need to create an Xmarks account so that you have somewhere to save, sync and restore your bookmarks.
4. Enter a username, password and email address. These are the credentials that you will use to log in to Xmarks in another browser, another device, or on the web in order to access all your saved bookmarks.
4. When your account has been created, you will be asked whether you want to sync open tabs. If you decide to do this leave the box checked and you will be able to view tabs that you have open on other browsers and devices. If this is not important to you, feel free to uncheck this box and then click Next.
5. The next option you have available to you is the ability to sync your browsing history across browsers and devices. Check the box if you want this to happen, or leave it unchecked if you don’t need this functionality, then click Next.
6. Xmarks also comes with a number of bookmark customization options. These are displayed on the following screen. You can choose to view information about a particular website, or have the ability to tag and rate your bookmarks with a star rating system. If you don’t think you will use these options, uncheck the boxes. Otherwise, click Next.
7. At this point, Xmarks will save all your existing bookmarks to the cloud and show you a status bar as it works through this process. Click Next when the sync is done, and then Finish to complete the process.
8. Once you have completed the initial setup, you can install Xmarks on other browsers or devices where you would like to have access to your bookmarks. The process is similar to what I just described except that instead of creating an account, you will log in with the account we just created above.
9. You will then see a message informing you that Xmarks will now sync your bookmarks with the data stored in your account so click Synchronize to load all your saved bookmarks on the new browser.
~ Jonathan Wylie
Thank You Jonathan for your detailed reply, and to the questioner David too. This question is common to all.
In FireFox there is an addon called “PlainOldFavorites”. I’ve been using it for years.
What it does is allow FF to access the IE “Favorites” folder. This way both browsers are using the same set of IE Favorite (shortcuts).
To take this one step farther, I have multiple userids on my computer (ie ADMIN and USER and TEST). To provide all of the IDS with access to the same set of favorites, I have moved the favorites folder out of the personal profiles into a generic “Data” folder that all USERIDs have read and update access to. This way I always have access to all of my favorites.
If I have to move between computers (ie home vs Work) I can upload my favorites folder to the cloud or to a USB drive. I use one or more simple ‘BAT’ files to do a mass XCOPY from local HD to USB and from USB to local HD.
Sounds like a lot of work Ron, but if it works for you, great! 🙂
I plan to heavily rely on these bookmarks for a project. Where is the xMarks cloud file stored? Is there a way to backup this file? Can a copy of this file be stored in my cloud? Can I share these bookmarks with anyone?
With products like this there is a significant privacy issue that no one ever considers. Everyone just wants functionality and has no clue what is involved in getting that function. You are creating an account on their website and they are saving your favorites, tabs, and god knows what else. The LAST thing you want is yet another collector of your web activities. I would MUCH prefer the plug ins and shared local directory work arounds than to send my private activities to another damn collection source.
NEVER use an online service or software that stores your bookmark info online as a sync tool across browsers/devices.
This is simply a method to find out what you like, then “carpet bomb” you with targeted advertising via the companies that buy access to your data that you give when you CLICK THROUGH THE EULA AND DO NOT READ IT.
*Real world progress will be made when someone makes a software program that you install locally on your PC that will clone your bookmark configuration across all your installed browsers. Why don’t they do this? THEY CAN’T GET YOUR DATA AND SELL IT—SO THERE’S FAR LESS PROFIT TO BE MADE.