Import directly into Bitwarden from Microsoft Edge

Moving to a dedicated password manager is an important step in improving both business and personal security, and today it’s even easier to do so. Bitwarden now supports importing directly from many popular browsers into the Bitwarden vault, simplifying the process and removing the chance of accidentally leaving any unencrypted file exports behind.

Supports Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi browsers

The direct import is the easiest and most secure method for importing passwords from a browser into Bitwarden. Your passwords will be copied directly from the existing browser files on your device and added to the encrypted vault.

To perform a direct import, you first must download and install the Bitwarden desktop application. Once installed and logged into your Bitwarden account, go to File > Import data. Select the destination for the imported credentials, then choose your browser from the File format drop down. Select Import directly from browser, choose the browser profile if applicable, then select Import data. You may be prompted for your system password to authorize the import.

Note: the Mac App Store version does not support direct import.

That’s it! The passwords are now securely in the encrypted Bitwarden vault.

Now that you’ve imported your vault, be sure to disable your browser’s built-in password manager.

Using the direct importer takes the guesswork out of moving credentials out of the basic browser built-in password manager. It only requires a few steps, is straightforward and self-explanatory. Direct import also removes the need for having to export a sensitive, unencrypted file from browsers that later must be securely deleted, which simplifies the process further while reducing security risks.

The direct importer works on the device, accessing the files locally and copying them directly to the Bitwarden vault, which is encrypted before it leaves the device for storage. Additionally, the import process is non-destructive, meaning a copy of the credentials will remain in the browser in the case of needing to re-import items to a different location later.

Performing a direct import from browsers smooths the user onboarding experience and helps with deployment and improved adoption rates. First, the import tool is easy for end-users to execute, with the removal of extra export steps and deletion of sensitive files. Second, the IT management rollout documentation can be streamlined, with the process simple enough for a short internal guide leveraged from Bitwarden help documentation. Employees can migrate independently with minimal IT support, and there's no need to audit for lingering export files.

Using the direct import requires the use of the Bitwarden desktop app, and there are other features that it offers, making it a great complement to the Bitwarden browser extension:

Drag-and-drop autofill: Easily drag credentials from your vault directly into compatible desktop applications. Perfect for legacy software and apps that aren’t web-based.

Biometric unlock: Use fingerprint or facial recognition to quickly unlock your vault (note: not available in the Windows Store version).

SSH Key Agent: Developers can securely store and use SSH keys directly through Bitwarden, integrating password management into their development workflow.

Login with device: Approve login requests on other devices directly from your desktop app, adding extra convenience.

With direct import for browsers and emerging features like the Credential Exchange Protocol for transferring passwords and passkeys between solutions, Bitwarden removes adoption hurdles that are in the way of secure password management. Individual users can migrate in minutes and IT teams can deploy with confidence. Everyone gets immediate access to Bitwarden enterprise-grade security, cross-platform sync, and more benefits that browsers can’t provide.

Ready to get started? Start a free trial today, download the Bitwarden desktop application, and experience how simple secure password management can be.