Restore Bookmarks


Related to

Ever since the latest update my bookmarks have been experiencing the problems described above

However when trying to troubleshoot the issue I accidentally clicked ‘sort by name’ & now I’m unable to restore them back back to their previous order

How do I do this ? The only option available is sort by name

I saved both the Bookmarks & Bookmarks.bak files from the profile folder and I tried importing from the bak file but it didn’t do anything

Also how do I disable automatic updates ? - if I cant fix this issue I want to back to an older version

Version 1.71.114

Edit I have yet to close the browser if that makes a difference

APPLIES TO ALL USERS OF BRAVE BROWSER

Backup Bookmarks by using the Export button.

Go to: brave://bookmarks/

Locate the Menu button — possibly near the Search (Magnifying Glass) icon

Click on that button, and select “Export bookmarks”

Export_bookmarks

The Brave Bookmarks would be saved as an HTML file, such as “bookmarks.html”.

In your case, that is also the best way to have a text file version of your bookmarks, that you can edit - in order to restore the order of things as you may wish.

Use an Internet browser in order to view that “bookmarks.html” file as your editing progresses. You can direct your browser to find and open that file (let’s say the “bookmarks.html” file that you saved [and then also created a duplicate backup with a different name - for safe-keeping]) . . . is located on your computer’s Desktop.

The good quality text editors have sort capability:


A good quality text editor for Windows OS users:

Just Great Software - a more capable text editor:

EditPad Lite / EditPad Pro

https://www.editpadlite.com/

https://www.editpadpro.com/


For Mac OS users:

BBEdit at Barebones Software:

https://www.barebones.com/


Linux OS - users might use EditPad Lite via WINE:

https://www.editpadlite.com/wine.html

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Yeah thanks for the info but I already managed to restore them using a fairly tedious workaround

1st I created a new profile and put the bookmarks.bak file in it

Then I compared the bookmarks in that with my main profile to find the locations of the bookmarks I had added since the backup

Then I replaced the bookmarks file in my main profile with the bak file and manually re-added all the newer bookmarks that were missing

Still the bookmark ‘scrambling’ problem remains and I would like to revert to an older version but without being able to turn off auto updates it’ll just reinstall each time I start up the browser

I have issues too.

Bookmarks are scrabled, duplicated and if I click on the duplicates in bookmarks manager, they change.

It is so weird

Brave Browser’s downloads and updating usually originate from, among:

https://go-updater.brave.com
https://componentupdater.brave.com
https://laptop-updates.brave.com
https://brave-browser-downloads-s3.brave.com
https://variations.brave.com

DO NOT block:

https://componentupdater.brave.com
https://variations.brave.com

Two or more years ago, when I could update Brave Browser, IIRC, I blocked:

https://go-updater.brave.com

Thus, I could wait until after the dust settled, re “automatic updating” upsetting things, at times.

But I use an older, now-out-of-date Mac OS 10.12.n, and at some point (2022?) I could not update to Mac OS 10.13.n nor later.

And, then, Brave no longer issued BB updates, so I disabled the BLOCK against:

https://go-updater.brave.com

I use a firewall software package, in order to control ALLOW / BLOCK of network traffic.

YET - and IMPORTANT - Brave still issues routine component updates, thankfully. So, with my older machine and Mac OS, I can still trundle along, using my older, “out-of-date” version of Brave Browser . . . till some time in the future when I might acquire a later model Mac.

BTW, the technical issue that thwarted updating for my older Mac OS, is within Chromium - the engine used (by de-Google’d) by Brave.

And, I suspect that the current “scrambled bookmarks” issue may also be a problem within Chromium.

BTW2, if you are use Brave Sync for backing up bookmarks, that might be a source of the trouble - I’d consider.

1 Like
2 Likes

Anyone reading this, Make sure to upvote this bug on chromium as it is posted there by clicking the +1 icon top right so they know others are affected or this will never get fixed

Ok thanks for the info

How do you know which components originate from which source ?

What’s significant about

https://componentupdater.brave.com
https://variations.brave.com
?

What would happen if I were to disable them ?

Is it necessary to use a firewall to block the updates - I mean can’t you just disable something in the code e.g chrome://flags

Regarding the firewall which one do you use ?

Thanks

@Smilodon

REVISING MY LIST IN MY PREVIOUS REPLY (ABOVE)

Brave Browser’s downloads and updating usually originate from, among:

  • brave-browser-downloads-s3.brave.com
  • componentupdater.brave.com
  • go-updater.brave.com
  • laptop-updates.brave.com
  • updates-cdn.bravesoftware.com
  • updates.bravesoftware.com
  • variations.brave.com

Re Component updating, DO NOT block:

  • componentupdater.brave.com
  • go-updater.brave.com
  • variations.brave.com

So, I probably blocked:

  • brave-browser-downloads-s3.brave.com
  • laptop-updates.brave.com
  • updates-cdn.bravesoftware.com
  • updates.bravesoftware.com
1 Like

@Smilodon

I am not aware of any switch[es] that might be thrown at

  • brave://flags/

in order to BLOCK Brave Browser package (in the background -type) updating.

Re using a firewall, for Windows OS users . . .

At: ‘http://woshub.com/block-domains-websites-windows-firewall-powershell/

Scroll down to . . .

Run the Windows Defender Firewall management snap-in (Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Windows Defender Firewall\Advanced Settings or by running firewall.cpl).

There, using the info and illustrations as guides, create an Outbound Rule and an Inbound Rule - both, blocking:

  • updates-cdn.bravesoftware.com

Or, try NetLimiter, and thereby block, Incoming and Outgoing . . . sub-domain:

  • updates-cdn.bravesoftware.com

Be prepared for the consequences of not updating when the occasion permits.

Sometimes, when blocking that sub-domain, you may find that, from then on . . . you have to update manually.

Latest Stable Release versions of Brave Browser for desktop computers, are at:

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So if I want to revert to an earlier version I just download an earlier release and run the exe file - will that roll back my current browser ?

Or do I have to create a new install - in which case do I have to transfer the entire ‘User Data’ folder or just the ‘Default’ folder within it to retain my settings ?

i.e if I copy and paste the ‘Default’ folder into the new install will it function properly or will there be compatability issues due to the different versions

Thanks

Use another Internet browser until the Chromium bug is fixed at Chromium.

Use the Export button for saving bookmarks (typically saved as “bookmarks.html”. Maintain that practice, so you can export and import at will between your collection of Internet browsers.

All that, will be significantly LESS WORK than what you propose: a step back in time.

Unless by chance, you routinely - through good self-discipline - create System Restore Points.

I do that every day that I use a Windows OS machine, and as many times during the day . . . so when Windows OS balks, I can easily “go back in time” to when things worked OK. With Windows OS machines, I use the System Restore Points . . . alot.

I usually back up the Windows Registry, and then create a System Restore Point.

1 Like

@Smilodon

I must have flubbed the link, so repeating:

Back up Windows Registry.

@Smilodon

Extra tip:

How To Clean Up Your Windows Computer Registry

So running the exe file of an older brave install won’t simply roll back the changes ?

Regarding exporting bookmarks between browsers will they still be in same order or just a block of URLs - having to arrange 0000s of bookmarks seems even more time consuming

As for waiting for a fix from I what I can tell the bug seems limited to desktop users with a lot of bookmarks so who knows when or if it will be addressed since it seems they seem to prioritize mobile users nowadays

How much space does a system restore point usually take up on average ?

Thanks

well im using group tabs addon, and when you backup your bookmarks, they do not stay in there designated groups, even if the plugin installed on the updated browser, you are opening you bookmark.html backup fil in…very complicated if the update are makening bookmarks problems also :confused:

Thord of the day; maby if the bookmarks where, instead of being a part of the browser,
where to be “pickupd and displayd” by the browser, from a “secure” location in the installed folder or brave folder in the dockuments …this wouldent be any problem :thinking: