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I can't understand directions how to restore bookmarks when they don't come back after refresh

  • 6 ŋuɖoɖowo
  • 1 masɔmasɔ sia le esi
  • 3 views
  • Nuɖoɖo mlɔetɔ FredMcD

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I refreshed and Firefox saved old Firefox data in a folder on the desktop. I have named my new Profile per instructions, and tried to follow directions to restore bookmarks & add ons (rebooted, tried to follow directions to open Profile folder, opened Menu, Help, Troubleshooting, but can't find Application Basics), but I am LOST! Any help much appreciated!

I refreshed and Firefox saved old Firefox data in a folder on the desktop. I have named my new Profile per instructions, and tried to follow directions to restore bookmarks & add ons (rebooted, tried to follow directions to open Profile folder, opened Menu, Help, Troubleshooting, but can't find Application Basics), but I am LOST! Any help much appreciated!

Ŋuɖoɖo si wotia

All Replies (6)

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First; open your file browser to the New profile;

Type about:support<enter> in the address bar.

Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.


Second, open another file browser to the Old profile.

Open another file browser to the Old Firefox folder on your desktop. Then open the folder with the latest date.


Warning ! ! Only Copy the files you are told. We will avoid anything that might cause problems. Here is the list of files;

cookies: cookies.sqlite Do not bother. Cookies will be created when you return to the website. However, you will have to log in everywhere. And you may lose any settings that websites store on your computer.

extensions(add-ons, themes): it would be better to download them fresh. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ key3.db [v58+] key4.db and logins.json : These are the Password files. Copy Both !

persdict.dat : custom dictionary – words you added to the dictionary

mimeTypes.rdf : What to do with what type of file. handlers.json : In Firefox v55+ the name was changed.

places.sqlite : History and Bookmarks.

prefs.js : Your settings. Note: If you were having problems, this could be contaminated.

cert8.db [v58+]cert9.db and possibly cert_override.txt : Stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Firefox. If removed, the cert8.db, cert9.db file will be replaced.

search.json.mozlz4 : file stores the user-installed search engines that are available in the Firefox v47+

search.sqlite file and searchplugins folder store the search engines that are available in the Firefox Search bar before Firefox v47 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Copy these files from the old to the new. You may get a message that the files already exist. Choose to over-write for each file.

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Hi cpencek, I'm sorry to hear about this problem.

Bookmark Restore Feature

During a Refresh, Firefox should retain your bookmarks. And you also should be able to restore bookmarks from backups that Firefox makes. This article describes how to use this feature:

Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer (Example screenshot of that menu attached for reference.)

When you try that, what happens? For example:

  • No backup files are listed*
  • Attempted restore causes Firefox to display an error message -- what is the message?
  • Attempted restore appears to run, but when clicking the categories in the left column, you only find the small set of bookmarks included with a new installation of Firefox

* If no backup files are listed, try this:

Click "Choose File" on the Restore menu, point Firefox to your desktop, into the Old Firefox Data folder, into the uniquely named profile folder, then into the bookmarkbackups folder, to find a previous backup file. Each has its date coded into the file name. Does one of those work?

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I tried again and finally figured out most of what you suggested on my own and copied and pasted the Firefox recommended files into the new Firefox profile, but still no bookmarks, etc. I figure if the old Firefox was corrupted enough not to open anymore, then maybe the old Firefox data it saved when I refreshed doesn't have anything in it. Is that possible? And yes, I restarted the computer after I moved them hoping that would bring them back, but it didn't. Is there anything else to try or am I just out of luck as I have resigned myself to be?

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Ɖɔɖɔɖo si wotia

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Didn't think Restore menu would have old Bookmarks, BUT IT DID! and I followed the directions and THEY ARE BACK! Bless both of you. Thank you, thank you so much. Also, just checked and my password stuff is back!

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That's good to hear. Safe surfing.