We're a Windows 7 (w/o SP1) shop with IE8. Two users reported that then they 'reset' IE8 they lost their favorites. When I say I 'reset' I'm referring to this process: Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Reset > With or Without 'Delete Personal Settings' checked According to Microsoft, "Resetting Internet Explorer to its default settings does not delete your favorites, feeds, Web Slices, and a few other personalized settings." But I witnessed the issue this morning and have successfully reproduced it. At least one other person outside of our organization has experienced this 'anomaly'. Troubleshooting Steps Performed: I created a template Favorites folder structure which included a few folders (one of which was empty) a few links at the root level, a few links in the sub folders and some favorites in the Favorites Bar folder. I logged into a machine as a normal, non-IT, user that was imaged recently with our image Copied the Favorites folder structure locally via robocopy Confirmed the existence of files in C:\Users\%username%\Favorites (or %userprofile%\Favorites if you will) Opened IE to confirm they were there then closed it Control Panel > Internet Options > Advanced > Reset > Did not check the Box Restarted IE & Favorites were missing* Checked %userprofile%\Favorites and confirmed they were missing* Readded Favorites (copied/pasted from a template) Opened IE > Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Reset > Did not check the Box Clicked OK at the prompt staying IE had to be restarted Restarted IE & Favorites were missing* The * denotes something interesting: The Favorites that were in the root (which is where get created by default) were gone. The subfolders I created, with their respective favorites, were gone. !!BUT: The stock 'Favorites Bar' and 'Links for United States' folders, including the favorites I created manually within, remained!! I've got two big questions, although they're related: Is it possible to configure IE to wipe Favorites when doing a reset? Is it possible to configure a GPO that would? References: Reset Internet Explorer 8 settings http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Reset-Internet-Explorer-settings http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Reset-Internet-Explorer-8-settings "How can i reset internet explorer 8 to default? and will I lose my favorites if I do?How would I save these?" http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/forum/ie8-windows_other/how-can-i-reset-internet-explorer-8-to-default-and/1a6e9e49-2f7e-4b65-9553-7f85db09baaa "An IE reset deletes all favorites?" http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/ieitprocurrentver/thread/108d240c-2032-448c-9385-f2bcefb3f332