Following file restore to new computer, have lots of files under c:\users inluding words "cache", "trash" - do I really need to keep these?
My old computer recently died and I did a file restore to transfer the files to my new computer. I am now trying to weed out unnecessary files from the welter of restored files. Like, I have a ton of files that came from C:\Users and look like AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\6h64jik6.default\cache2\trash8385
Do I need to retain these? I have Firefox installed on this second computer in its own right and am not trying to resurrect the old machine's install files. Also, is there any other sort of Firefox files that would have landed in my restored filed that I could safely delete?
Both computers are desktops, and I am using Windows 7 Pro on the surviving machine.
All Replies (3)
See this support article to learn what files in the Profile folder are important, which are the files that should be kept. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data#w_what-information-is-stored-in-my-profile
Keep in mind that many extensions which store data in Firefox may have their own files and / or folders that should be copied over. And some older extensions may be storing data in in the prefs.js file, which you might want to copy out line by line. Copying over the entire prefs.js file isn't advised - sure way of breaking a Profile used on a different device if there are any path specific prefs listed.
I had Firefox browser on the original machine. At the same time, I also had Firefox browser on the newer computer. Did not use the email option. Need to retain the shortcuts, favorites for transfer to the newer machine (some will already be resident on the newer machine, some won't). I don't think I used any other Firefox features, certainly not the password store option. Not really interested in saving cookies, I can set new ones as needed.
I need help in how to identify file names that I don't need to save. Like the example given in my original question, from the C:/Users directory.
You do not need the files stored under "AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles". That is the location for the disk cache (about:cache). You only need files stored under "AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles"