Hi

This article will help you to identy the files that you will need to backup to capture your Firefox bookmarks.

The article is confusing...TMI

Each week I connect my external backup device to my computer USB. I need more specific instructions to get my Firefox bookmarks backed up on this external hard drive. It happens automatically with my Internet Explorer bookmarks. PLEASE HELP.

Firefox creates daily rotating compressed JSON backups (.jsonlz4) in the bookmarkbackups folder if changes are detected.

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/restore-bookmarks-from-backup-or-move-them

So you can consider to backup the content of the bookmarkbackups folder.

The name of an automatically created JSON bookmarks backup in the bookmarkbackups folder includes a total item count (folders and separators included) and an hash value to prevent saving the same backup more than once. You also see this count in the Restore menu drop-down list.

• bookmarks-YYYY-MM-DD_<item count>_<hash>.jsonlz4.

You can backup files like these in the profile folder:

• bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
• bookmark backups: compressed .jsonlz4 JSON backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
• cookies.sqlite for the Cookies
• formhistory.sqlite for saved autocomplete Form Data
• logins.json (passwords) and key4.db (58+) or key3.db (57 and older) (decryption key) for Passwords saved in the Password Manager
  if you only have key3.db then make sure to remove an existing key4.db
• cert9.db (58+) or cert8.db (57 and older) for (intermediate) certificates stored in the Certificate Manager
  if you only have cert8.db then make sure to remove an existing cert9.db
• persdict.dat for words you added to the spelling checker dictionary
• permissions.sqlite for Permissions and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for other website specific data (Site Preferences)
• sessionstore.jsonlz4 for open tabs and pinned tabs (see also the sessionstore-backups folder)

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

• Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
  Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

Thank you cor-el for your reply. However, the information is too technical for me. All I want to do is connect my "Click Free" automatic backup device to my computer and have it backup my files, including my bookmarked websites. Does this mean it will not back up my Firefox bookmarks? It backs up my Internet Explorer bookmarks? A direct reply to my question would be very helpful. The whole idea for this external device is to have my files stored in case my computer crashes, or if I replace my computer.

Does anyone understand my question??

You can make Firefox create an automatic HTML backup (bookmarks.html) in the Firefox profile folder when Firefox is closed by setting browser.bookmarks.autoExportHTML to true on the about:config page.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/browser.bookmarks.autoExportHTML

This HTML backup is created by default in the profile folder as bookmarks.html every time you close Firefox, but you can set the path and file name via the browser.bookmarks.file pref on the about:config page.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/browser.bookmarks.file

The browser.bookmarks.file pref doesn't exist by default and you need to create a new String pref with the name browser.bookmarks.file and set the value to the full path of the backup bookmarks.html file including the file name.

Hi peneustein, how do you instruct the software to back up specific folders (also known as directories)? What you can do is point the software to your Firefox Profiles folder, which contain all your important Firefox data, including bookmarks.

It will be easier if you set Windows to show you hidden files and folders:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14201/windows-show-hidden-files

Then tell the software you want to back up the following folder (you'll need to substitute your actual Windows username):

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles

Hi cor-el and jscher,

So, if I understand correctly, I cannot easily use my external hard drive to backup (save) the Firefox bookmarks.

If I follow your suggestions, what happens if I need to replace my computer? Normally, when this has happened, I just used my external hard drive, connected it to my new computer and selected the 'restore' option and everything was saved and automatically downloaded.

Sorry, I'm somewhat technically challenged and I'm totally confused.

Do you have an owners manual for that Click Free device? The external USB device should have come with a paper manual and a CD for installation of the necessary software on your PC. The CD would typically would include a PDF operating manual which would explain how to set custom preferences for the files you want to have automatically backed up.

I just did a search to see if I could come up with a downloadable manual to refer you to, but it looks like Click Free may not be in business any longer. But I still see Click Free being offered on Amazon.com . http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3019072/happened-clickfree.html

Bottom line is that you need to learn how to set up the Click Free software to backup which ever files aren't already set to be backed up automatically already.

Thank you for understanding and responding more directly to my question.

I have checked my Click Free device. The only thing I need to do is connect it and press 'start'. I don't have to configure anything or select preferences. It just copies all my files. What I don't understand is why it automatically backs up my IE "favorites", but doesn't seem to back up my Firefox "bookmarks". If it does, I'm not sure where to find them when I open my device.

As you indicated, Click Free can no longer be contacted for support. So I'm at a loss. The next time I back up my files, would a 'screen shot' of the device be of any help?

peneustein said

What I don't understand is why it automatically backs up my IE "favorites", but doesn't seem to back up my Firefox "bookmarks". If it does, I'm not sure where to find them when I open my device.

Does your backup device let you see what files are on the disk? For example, is it connected as the "E" drive or "F" drive and you can click around and see what files are there?

You probably need to set Windows to show hidden files and folders to dig into the backup in detail. See: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14201/windows-show-hidden-files

peneustein said

I have checked my Click Free device. The only thing I need to do is connect it and press 'start'. I don't have to configure anything or select preferences. It just copies all my files. What I don't understand is why it automatically backs up my IE "favorites", but doesn't seem to back up my Firefox "bookmarks". If it does, I'm not sure where to find them when I open my device. As you indicated, Click Free can no longer be contacted for support. So I'm at a loss. The next time I back up my files, would a 'screen shot' of the device be of any help?

Sure it will backup IE Favorites, everyone using a Windows Operating System has IE installed and probably used IE in the beginning. Typically any application which a user installs, beyond what comes with Windows, needs slight configuration to have user data from those applications to be included.

If you don't have a manual for that Click Free device or don't have the CD that probably came with that Click Free device, check this Google search for PDF manual for the particular Click Free device that you have; https://www.google.com/search?q=Click+Free+user+manual&sourceid=mozilla-search&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8num=100

The process of learning what you need to know about using that Click Free device would probably easier by reading about it from the manual, than reading the generic answers that might be posted here. Unless another Click Free users happens on this Firefox support thread.

Thanks. No CD came with the device. I'll research further and see if I can locate a manual.

I have researched further without success. If my device is backing up my Firefox Bookmarks, I have no idea where they are. If I replace my computer, I'm afraid I will lose all the links I bookmarked.

If I make Firefox my DEFAULT browser, would that solve the problem?

peneustein said

If my device is backing up my Firefox Bookmarks, I have no idea where they are. If I replace my computer, I'm afraid I will lose all the links I bookmarked.

Okay, you could develop a habit of placing a backup in your Documents folder every weekend just in case. Most likely the software copies the Documents folder, don't you think?

I suggest using both of the available formats:

• "JSON" backup format: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer -- this should generate unique file names each time because it includes the date
• "HTML" export format: Export Firefox bookmarks to an HTML file to back up or transfer bookmarks -- you will need to modify the file name to make it unique when saving, or replace the earlier file with the latest one if you prefer

If I make Firefox my DEFAULT browser, would that solve the problem?

I do not think that will make a difference at all to your backup software.

Thanks. Seems like a lot of effort just to back up my bookmarks. The whole purpose of using the external device was to simplify the process since I only need to press 'start' and the device did the rest automatically.

So far, Microsoft has not been helpful. ;(

What is wrong with save to Desktop, Move to USB. 2 Clicks and over with.

Cannot do this with this automatic backup device.

I guess that you didn't take the time to look for a Ckick Free user manual.

Read the Click Free user manual which is available here: http://www.gattisrl.it/downloads/clickfree_manual.pdf

Page 8 under Managing your backups see the section under Changing backup settings: which is in Options > “Manage Settings and PCs” to get to where you can change what gets backed up to that device automatically.

You had better luck at finding a 'free' manual than I did. Thank you for finding the pdf version. I will check it out and advise outcome.