Internet Explorer Favorites are Missing or Hidden


Internet Explorer Favorites are Missing or Hidden

Symptom/Sign of Problem

Many or all favorites are missing.


Fix Steps:

Step 1: Check if the favorites exist:


1.Enable viewing of hidden files.

2.Go to %userprofile%\Favorites


3.Check if the favorites are present in this folder. If they are present, skip to Step 2 below.

4.If they are gone you may be able to import favorites from another browser or from a file if the customer exported the favorites previously, which is not common). This is accessed from the “File” menu in IE, under “Import and Export”

Step 2: Recovering the favorites:

1.Are any favorites hidden? If not, go to part 3 below. If they are hidden then hit +A to select all, then right-click and select properties. Uncheck the hidden attribute checkbox and then click OK.


2.Close and reopen IE and the favorites should be shown now. If not, follow the steps in part 3 below.


3.Open regedit and find Favorites in all of the following Registry keys:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\Shell folders HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\User Shell folders HKU\.default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\Shell folders HKU\.default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\User Shell folders

4.Check that the values match the location of the Favorites folder in "%userprofile%\Favorites".


5.Close and reopen IE and the favorites should be shown now.