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bookmarks in quantum in Windows 10 keep disappearing

  • 21 replies
  • 6 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by slenda

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Ever since Firefox Quantum, bookmarks keep disappearing after I import from html file. They stick for about a day or so, then disappear. Problem occurs weather sync is on or off. This problem does not occur on my Ubuntu devices, just Windows ! Also, this was not a problem on prior Firefox versions, just Quantum.

Ever since Firefox Quantum, bookmarks keep disappearing after I import from html file. They stick for about a day or so, then disappear. Problem occurs weather sync is on or off. This problem does not occur on my Ubuntu devices, just Windows ! Also, this was not a problem on prior Firefox versions, just Quantum.

All Replies (20)

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Hi slenda, that is troubling. Is there any pattern to what disappears? For example, does it appear that Firefox is rolling back to an earlier set of bookmarks, or are they all completely gone?

Also, is your Firefox losing any other data, settings, or add-ons at the same time it is losing bookmarks?

Firefox stores your bookmarks in a database file named places.sqlite together with your history. If you use internal features of Firefox to clear history, bookmarks should not be affected, but if you have other software on your system that cleans up browser history, it's possible for the file to be damaged and need to be regenerated from one of your automatic bookmark backups.

Could you check whether your Firefox is making bookmark backups? You can go to the Library window and view the Restore menu. It should list the recent backups by date with the number of items that were stored. If that menu is also blank, it's possible that Firefox isn't making backups or somehow the data is getting deleted. This article has the steps to find the Restore menu: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer.

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THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM . LOL not making backups. no bookmarks in windows 10. how much clearer does EVERYONE have to make this.

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Bookmarks NOT working in Windows 10 Quantum. Have a nice day !

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I have NO OTHER software on my system. This is a new/fresh Windows 10 install

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Here are two things you could try:

(1) Database Maintenance

Open Firefox's Troubleshooting Information page using either

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

Scroll down or use Find to jump to the Places Database section, then in the Integrity row, click the Verify Integrity button. Perhaps this will help prevent the problem going forward.

(2) Clean Re-install

We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean (no inconsistent or alien code files). As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. It's not essential to uninstall Firefox, but you can if you like, saying No to any request about removing personal data.

It only takes a few minutes.

(A) Download a fresh installer for Firefox to a convenient location:

https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/

(B) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).

If you use Microsoft Office, please change your default browser to Internet Explorer before the next step.

(C) Using Windows Explorer/My Computer (hold down the Windows key and press E), right-click > rename the program folder as follows (you might have one or both):

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox =to=> C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox =to=> C:\Program Files\OldFirefox

(D) Run the installer you downloaded in step (A). It should automatically connect to your existing settings.

Any improvement?

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slenda said

THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM . LOL not making backups.

Can you check the Restore menu more often? Question is: does your Firefox ever create a daily backup?

Also, feel free to make a manual backup from time to time. Also in this article: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer.

slenda said

This is a new/fresh Windows 10 install

Since when? Did you run Firefox 56 on this install or only on a previous install? Major Windows 10 updates sometimes introduce new incompatibilities.

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Perhaps an update will fix this issue which plagues Firefox Quantum on Windows. Until then I don't really need it, however Firefox does have some nice themes, about all its good for.

Modified by slenda

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jscher2000 said

slenda said
THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM . LOL not making backups.

Can you check the Restore menu more often? Question is: does your Firefox ever create a daily backup?

Also, feel free to make a manual backup from time to time. Also in this article: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer.

slenda said

This is a new/fresh Windows 10 install

Since when? Did you run Firefox 56 on this install or only on a previous install? Major Windows 10 updates sometimes introduce new incompatibilities.

I already said there was no update. This is a fresh install of Windows 10. Just face the fact that Firefox Quantum has major problems with Windows 10 as many people in this forum are complaining about this same problem.

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jscher2000 said

Hi slenda, that is troubling. Is there any pattern to what disappears? For example, does it appear that Firefox is rolling back to an earlier set of bookmarks, or are they all completely gone? Also, is your Firefox losing any other data, settings, or add-ons at the same time it is losing bookmarks? Firefox stores your bookmarks in a database file named places.sqlite together with your history. If you use internal features of Firefox to clear history, bookmarks should not be affected, but if you have other software on your system that cleans up browser history, it's possible for the file to be damaged and need to be regenerated from one of your automatic bookmark backups. Could you check whether your Firefox is making bookmark backups? You can go to the Library window and view the Restore menu. It should list the recent backups by date with the number of items that were stored. If that menu is also blank, it's possible that Firefox isn't making backups or somehow the data is getting deleted. This article has the steps to find the Restore menu: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer.

BOOKMARKS ARE COMPLETLY GONE AFTER 1 DAY. HOW MUCH CLEARER DO I HAVE TO BE.

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slenda said

Ever since Firefox Quantum, bookmarks keep disappearing after I import from html file. They stick for about a day or so, then disappear. Problem occurs weather sync is on or off. This problem does not occur on my Ubuntu devices, just Windows ! Also, this was not a problem on prior Firefox versions, just Quantum.

1 DAY AFTER IMPORTING BOOKMARKS FROM HTML FILE TO FIREFOX QUANTUM, BOOKMARKS VANISH. UNDERSTAND ??? THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE FIREFOX QUANTUM BECAME AVAILABLE. I COULD RE-INSTALL WINDOWS, IT WONT HELP. BOOKMARKS WILL STILL VANISH IN FIREFOX

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Get a grip, stop shouting, you know it is rude. When you come to this forum you are expected to follow direction. You are not doing well. No one has done anything other than try and help you. Your assumptions on Win10 is baseless.

So you ready to try again ? If you dare Quote me, no help........as you can see this has sat for 5hrs since last help, behavior matters.

uninstall Firefox. Then Delete the Mozilla Firefox Folders in C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files(x86) Then restart system. Then run Windows Disk Cleanup. (Note: This should be Pinned and run Weekly, If never done below expect 10's of gig's) Then run it again and click the button that says Cleanup System Files. Note: your Firefox Profile is saved. But you should make a back up before you do : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer

Reinstall with Current Release Firefox 57.0.2 with a Full Version Installer https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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slenda said

1 DAY AFTER IMPORTING BOOKMARKS FROM HTML FILE TO FIREFOX QUANTUM, BOOKMARKS VANISH. UNDERSTAND ??? THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE FIREFOX QUANTUM BECAME AVAILABLE. I COULD RE-INSTALL WINDOWS, IT WONT HELP. BOOKMARKS WILL STILL VANISH IN FIREFOX

Hi slenda, I understand what you said and I suggested various things to try, none of which involved reinstalling Windows.

If you do not want to try my suggestions or answer my questions, that's your call.

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Like I said, I already re-installed Windows , and I will do it again if I want to. It wont help. Firefox Quantum just don't work, like many are saying the same thing here, you keep down playing this.

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Try to make a backup copy of places.sqlite immediately after Firefox has finished closing completely.

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.

Then you can restore this copy when you notice you lost the bookmarks.

Bookmarks would normally only disappear when external software corrupts places.sqlite or clear data in this file.

Also make sure not to close Firefox via the close X, but always use the Exit/Quit item in the "3-bar" menu button or in the File menu. If you use "Clear history when Firefox closes" then try to disable this feature and clear personal data manually.

Modified by cor-el

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I have learned this seems to be an ongoing Windows issue. I installed Windows 10 Version 1709 on another device and found the same problem with Quantum loosing its bookmarks but now Edge has the same problem in Version 1709. Both Chrome and Internet Explorer are unaffected in all versions. And in Version 1703 only Quantum has this problem.

Modified by slenda

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slenda said

I have learned this seems to be an ongoing Windows issue. I installed Windows 10 Version 1709 on another device and found the same problem with Quantum loosing its bookmarks but now Edge has the same problem in Version 1709. Both Chrome and Internet Explorer are unaffected in all versions. And in Version 1703 only Quantum has this problem.

Maybe I should clarify, If you install Windows version 1703 and then upgrade to 1709 all is OK except Firefox Quantum will loose its bookmarks and will keep loosing them. If you do a fresh install of Windows Fall Update Ver 1709, Edge now has the same problem as Quantum. So I recommend NOT installing the Fall Creators Windows Update unless you don't mind giving up Firefox and Edge, both will keep loosing bookmarks. this seems to me a conspiracy to force people or trick them into buying new hardware. Microsoft cant be that dumb. Firefox Quantum on Linux does NOT have this problem. Nor Does Internet Explorer or Chrome on any version.

Modified by slenda

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Modified by slenda

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it seems we have to revert to the previous version of Firefox and import bookmarks then screw it install the new update. I spent 3 days working on preventing imported bookmarks from disappearance. It seems I have to move my firefox bookmarks back to chrome again. The Xmarks extension is glitchy so I cannot reliably port the bookmarks from chrome to firefox. So there is no reliable alternative way. The symptom of possible disappearance is if you trying to try to bookmark that same of the imported bookmark, you can bookmark it again but no blue star, hope it helps the developer to fix it. Currently, it's hard to make ppl to move from chrome to Firefox if this problem persists. The Bookmarks are our life.

Modified by ssd21345

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ssd21345 said

it seems we have to revert to the previous version of Firefox and import bookmarks then screw it install the new update. I spent 3 days working on preventing imported bookmarks from disappearance. It seems I have to move my firefox bookmarks back to chrome again. The Xmarks extension is glitchy so I cannot reliably port the bookmarks from chrome to firefox. So there is no reliable alternative way. The symptom of possible disappearance is if you trying to try to bookmark that same of the imported bookmark, you can bookmark it again but no blue star, hope it helps the developer to fix it. Currently, it's hard to make ppl to move from chrome to Firefox if this problem persists. The Bookmarks are our life.

Edge has a similar problem if you download the Fall Creators Update but not in the prior Windows Version 1703. I did a google search on "Edge loosing its favorites" and found a lot. If you turn off "Sync your favorites across devices" Edge will now hold its favorites in 1709. However, this setting is on by DEFAULT and is still on in windows 1703 and Edge does not loose its favorites only in 1709 you have to turn it off !! And why your favorites disappear is still a big mystery !! SO it seems the problem is sync related and I bet there is a hidden setting in Quantum that is causing this hardship !!!!!!!!! Like I said, a conspiracy to either sell pcs or just get you interested.. I really have better things to do !!!!!!!!!!

Modified by slenda

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