Microsoft Edge Is Killing Collections: Save Your Data Now

If you've used Microsoft Edge for years, you probably remember when it stopped being “the default browser” and started becoming a real alternative to Chrome—faster, with its own features and ideas that went beyond just browsing. One of those features was Collections.

Now, Microsoft has decided to retire them. And if you’ve used Collections for work, research, or planning, this change may affect you more than you think.

At TecnetOne, we break down what’s happening, what you’re about to lose, and most importantly, what you can do right now to avoid losing your data.

What Edge Collections Were (and Why They Mattered)

Collections weren’t just bookmarks with a new name. If you truly used them, you know they worked more like a visual notebook built into the browser.

With them, you could:

1. Save web pages
   
   
2. Add images and screenshots
   
   
3. Write personal notes
   
   
4. Organize by topic
   
   
5. Sync across devices

Perfect for:

1. Researching for work or school
   
   
2. Comparing products before buying
   
   
3. Planning trips
   
   
4. Organizing ideas and references

Edge became more than just a browser—it became a workspace.

The Warning Is Here: Edge Confirms the Shutdown

The alarm bell rang through Edge Dev (the development version of the browser), where a clear message now appears:

“Collections is being retired.”

In other words: Collections are being removed.

Microsoft confirmed two key things:

1. You can no longer add new items
   
   
2. You must move or export your data before the feature disappears completely

This isn’t a rumor or beta test—it’s already happening.

Read more: How to enable Copilot search in Microsoft Edge?

Microsoft Offers Two Export Options (and Neither Is Ideal)

Here’s where things get tricky. Microsoft gives you two ways to save your data—but neither preserves the full experience.

Move Collections to Favorites

Fastest, but most limited.

What gets saved:

1. The links to your saved web pages

What gets lost:

1. Notes
   
   
2. Images
   
   
3. Screenshots
   
   
4. Visual organization

Basically, your Collections become just another folder in Favorites. If you relied on notes or visuals for your workflow, they’re gone.

Export to a CSV File

More complete in terms of raw data, but less practical.

What you get:

1. A downloadable backup file

What you lose:

1. Daily usability
   
   
2. Browser integration
   
   
3. The convenience of quick access

A CSV is not a workspace—it’s a “just in case” archive.

The Real Loss: Not Just Data, but Your Workflow

Technically, Microsoft says you’re not losing your information. But in reality, you’re losing your entire workflow.

Collections were designed for:

1. Thinking while browsing
   
   
2. Saving ideas without leaving the browser
   
   
3. Returning to a project days or weeks later

Without them, Edge becomes flatter—less of a tool, more of a viewer.

A Pattern Is Emerging in Microsoft Edge

Looking back, this isn’t an isolated decision. In recent months, Edge has:

1. Hidden key features
   
   
2. Simplified or removed the sidebar
   
   
3. Focused mainly on Copilot integration

The message is clear: Edge is no longer a strategic priority—at least not for users who relied on advanced features.

At TecnetOne, this concerns us, especially in professional environments where Edge had become a true productivity ally.

What You Should Do Now (Step by Step)

If you use Collections, don’t wait. Here’s what to do:

1. Review all your Collections
   Check how many you have and what they contain.
   
   
2. Decide what’s worth keeping
   Prioritize:
   
   a. Active projects
   b. Critical information
   c. Collections with personal notes
   
   
3. Export before it becomes mandatory
   Even if you plan to move links to Favorites, also export to CSV as a backup.
   
4. Find an alternative before it's too late
   Don’t wait until the feature is gone to reorganize.

Alternatives to Edge Collections

Nothing identical exists, but several tools can partially fill the gap:

1. Note-taking tools with link support (Notion, Obsidian)
   
   
2. Advanced bookmark managers (Raindrop.io, Pinboard)
   
   
3. Visual organization apps (Milanote, Trello)
   
   
4. Collaborative documents (Google Docs, OneNote)

The key is to stop relying on a feature already marked for deprecation.

You might also be interested in: Massive Cyberattack on Web Browsers: How Did It Happen?

Why These Decisions Create Distrust

The real issue isn’t the removal itself—it’s the lack of continuity. You invest time learning and using a feature, build routines around it—and then, it’s gone.

This:

1. Breaks workflows
   
   
2. Erodes user trust
   
   
3. Makes users hesitant to adopt new tools

And that’s a shame, because Edge had begun to stand out by offering something different.

What Microsoft Should Learn from This

From a cybersecurity and productivity perspective—very much aligned with TecnetOne’s values—tools should:

1. Respect users’ time
   
   
2. Provide real migration paths—not band-aids
   
   
3. Maintain long-term consistency

Removing useful features without solid replacements is a step backward.

Final Thought: Don’t Let Edge Decide for You

If you used Collections, the message is clear: take action now.

Not because your data will disappear tomorrow, but because the longer you wait, the fewer options you’ll have.

Edge is still here, but it’s starting to feel more like a generic browser. Collections were one of those small features that made a big difference.

At TecnetOne, we recommend:

1. Export your data
   
   
2. Rethink your workflow
   
   
3. Don’t rely long-term on “experimental” features

Because today it’s Collections—tomorrow, who knows what else might disappear.