I’ve used the Avast browser for several months initially importing bookmarks from Chrome which worked fine.
I still use both browsers but bookmarks made on Chrome will not transfer.
I do it manually and after a few seconds get the “Done” message but nothing has moved and everything stays as it was when I first did it months ago
Any help much appreciated. Keep it simple if you can please, poster in late 70’s!
Thanks
It works if you do the following,
Open your Chrome browser, go to bookmarks and then select bookmarks manager
When it opens, click on the three-dot menu on the top right and select export bookmarks.
Save the html file.
https://d1ka0itfguscri.cloudfront.net/Lh/2020/11/04/20/09/cYXfYQMflL/preview.jpg
Next, open the Avast Secure Browser, click on the threee dot menu
go to bookmarks and then select bookmarks manager
When it opens, click on the three-dot menu on the top right and select import bookmarks.
when it ask for the file, select the one you downloaded in the first part of theses insructions.
https://d1ka0itfguscri.cloudfront.net/Lh/2020/11/04/20/19/cYXfYqMfb6/preview.jpg
That’s it. You’ve now imported the chrome bookmarks.
This is a flaw in the Avast secure Browser that I’ve already reported to Avast but it apparently still needs to be fixed.
Seems there are some improvements in the latest ASB beta (86.1).
So I totally removed the Secure Browser including using the removal tool and the removal .bat file.
I installed the latest beta, Checked off import from Chrome and that didn’t work.
Then I selected
https://d1ka0itfguscri.cloudfront.net/Lh/2020/11/05/14/27/cYXh2tMiSk/preview.jpg
But the Bookmarks Bar still isn’t anywhere to be found.
What does work is following the instructions I outlined in my post.
Certainly not something you expect everyone to follow just to see a populated Bookmarks Bar.
Here are the results after importing the bookmarks that I had saved yesterday when creating my instructions.
https://d1ka0itfguscri.cloudfront.net/Lh/2020/11/05/14/32/cYXh2xMjcZ/preview.jpg
Hi rg4711, please accept out apologize for the delayed response. What version of the browser and Google Chrome are you running? Would importing the bookmarks work from any other browser than Chrome? Would you mind sharing the export of your bookmarks with us so we can try to replicate the issue? We currently cannot but perhaps there is something specific to your configuration. Also, could you please share step by step screenshot documentation of how the import does not work?
Please, also paste the diagnostic info here if you can. Open the browser > click the three dots menu at the right top > Help and About… > About … > Diagnostic Information. Copy the info to clipboard and paste it here please.
Thanks a lot.
I’ve already shared screenshots and a way to work around the current problem.
Has anyone from Avast looked into it? It’s also posted on the slack channel.
Yes we have Bob as we always do. Unfortunately, this always does not lead to us being able to reproduce the issue, which is necessary in order to debug and fix the root cause.
What else can I do to help you get to the root of the problem, so it gets fixed?
Bob, I’ve just spoken to a developer. Since we are unable to reproduce the issue here, there is a chance something had blocked the access to the file where Chrome stores the bookmarks data. This could be an AV software or some Chrome extension, to give an example. Are you still able to replicate the issue, if you remove the bookmarks from Avast browser and run the import? If yes, could you try to reproduce with all the AV shields off and with the Chrome extensions disabled?
How do I delete the bookmarks without totally removing the browser?
The only AV is Avast Omni. The problem occurs before I install any extensions.
Hi Bob,
you can remove them one by one from the bookmarks bar manually, via the bookmarks manager or all at once by deleting the “Bookmarks” file located in “c:\Users<YourUserName>\AppData\Local\AVAST Software\Browser\User Data\Default” folder. If you are to delete the file, you may want to make a copy beforehand.
Also, one tests comes to my mind now. If you add an extra bookmark to Chrome, which is not present in your Avast browser, will it be imported in our browser when you initiate a new import?
Thank you!
Pavel @ Avast
Hello Pavel,
Here’s a video that shows the problem. Let me know what else I can try.
https://youtu.be/5FZ15_X7VqY
Cheers Bob, now, that is quite obvious this does not work for you. Could you please download the Process Monitor from the following URL https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/procmon, then redo your test with the Process Monitor running and capturing events? Then please save what has been captured as the native format (PML), then pack it using any packer (7zip or alike) you have installed and share the result using any file sharing service. I am looking forward to what we will discover.
Thank you!
Pavel @ Avast
I’ve done a clean install and the sync function was there. I was still not able to import bookmarks from Chrome.
@Pavel,
I’ve downloaded procmon but don’t know how to use it to capture what you’re looking for.
Right Bob, well if you manage to squeeze some time and redo the import with Process Monitor on, that would be perfect.
Pavel
As stated, I don’t know how to use ProcMon. Some instructions would be helpful.
Funny I had not seen your previous message, Bop - sorry for that. Using the procmon to capture the events is fairly easy as you will see. Just run it, it should be capturing events by default once started - you can ensure it is just by navigating to ‘File’ menu. With procmon running, repeat your test. Once the browser claims that bookmarks have been imported, navigate back to procmon > ‘File’ > Save > you should see what is in the attachment I am adding, then just go with “OK”. Feel free to let me know should anything need clarification.
Cheers!
Pavel
@Pavel,
With sync turned on, the problem seems to have taken care of itself. Even if I delete the favorites file, as soon as I restart the browser, the bookmarks bar is back.