Why did todays update wipe out all my settings, add-ons,and bookmarks
I have been working all day with no problem but closed firefox for a reason long forgotten. Upon opening again I assumed an auto update happened. EVERYTHING WAS GONE! my settings, my add-ons although the plug-ins are still there, and my bookmarks (10+ years of bookmarks). Speed Dial still works although all the set addresses have gone. I assume my profile has reset to default but if so why does speed dial and the plug-ins work. I don't know how to reset the profile. I am just a user not an IT Tech. so in plain English if possible. Just found the program will not get add-ons it just stops on loading
Modified by Dexawrek
All Replies (10)
Plugins are installed globally, so they continue to work even if a profile goes missing. Recover lost or missing Bookmarks may help you recover your profile.
It is possible that there is a problem with the file(s) that store the extensions registry.
Delete the extensions.* files (e.g. extensions.sqlite, extensions.ini) and compatibility.ini in the Firefox profile folder to reset the extensions registry.
New files will be created when required.
See "Corrupt extension files":
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Unable_to_install_themes_or_extensions
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Unable+to+install+add-ons
If you see disabled, not compatible, extensions in "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions" then click the Tools button at the left end side of the Search Bar ("Find Updates" button in older Firefox versions) to check if there is a compatibility update available.
If this hasn't helped then also delete the addons.sqlite file.
You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:
- Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder
You can check for problems with preferences and rename or delete the prefs.js file and possible numbered prefs-##.js files and a possible user.js file to reset all prefs to the default values.
As far as I can understand ( I am just a user not an IT Tech ) The first part of your solution covers only deleting files not restoring my original profile. The second part about add-ons. When I click "Tools > Add-ons > Extensions" I get nothing, a blank screen.When I click "Tools > Add-ons > Get Add-ons" I get nothing but a small oblong box with 'loading' and the rotating loading symbol. When I click "Tools > Add-ons > Search all add-ons" for a particular add-on I get nothing but a small oblong box with 'loading' and the rotating loading symbol. Whoever instigated this has totally messed me up.
I'm not sure what happened.
Did you reset Firefox because there are two reasons why you still have your bookmarks and that is either that you still are in your original profile and the the other is that you created anew profile via a reset and have automatically imported the bookmarks.
If a reset happened then you should have an "Old Firefox Data" folder on the desktop with your old personal profile data.
My first thought is that you are still in your original profiles and that some files got corrupted.
In this case you should get the extensions back if you follow the above posted steps to delete the extensions.* files and the compatibility.ini file.
You can use this button to go to the Firefox profile folder:
- Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Show Folder
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
If you have created a new profile then see:
YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN - AND THIS TIME NOT JUST COMPATIBILITY BUT FF23 UPDATE ACTUALLY REMOVED A DOZEN ADD-ONS AND SEARCH BAR ADDITIONS - INCLUDING FEBE WHICH I INSTALLED TO STOP THIS HAPPENING AFTER FF22 DID THE SAME THING.
ONE MORE TIME AND I'M OFF TO CHROME.
Modified by Guillermo
Today Firefox updated to 23.0.1. All my Add-Ons are gone. This is the second time, that my Add-Ons disappeared without a trace after the automatic update!!!
My automatic update to 23.0.1 today ALSO resulted in a complete erasure of my add-ons. WTF, guys? I bet this never happens over at Chrome...
If Firefox starts up with all extensions removed, there are a few possible situations.
(1) It could indicate that Firefox ran into a problem with your settings and performed a Reset. The Reset features adds a folder to your desktop named Old Firefox Data. Does anyone who lost all extensions see that folder?
(2) Firefox might also have created a new personal settings folder (a new Firefox profile) without a Reset. You can use the Profile Manager in that case to check for and switch back to your earlier profile.
To check that, exit Firefox and start up in the Profile Manager using Start > search box (or Run):
firefox.exe -P
Any time you want to switch profiles, exit Firefox and return to this dialog. If you have multiple profiles, try starting Firefox in a different one.
Note: Before deleting unneeded profiles, I suggest making a backup first in case something were to go wrong.
(3) The data file that tracks your extensions might have become corrupted. Please see the above post for more information and steps to fix it: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/958981#answer-435183
I have a similar issue. I have used Firefox for as long as I can remember, better than 7 years I think, and I have spent countless hours getting my browser setting just the way I want them, folders sorted and organized perfectly right on my tool bar. One click, 2 at the most, & I'm right where I need to be. I work from home on my laptop so this is extremely important. I have a Macbook Pro. My system did a normal update which required a restart, which I did last night. Firefox reopens & all is well. Put a movie on to go to sleep by, wake up this morning & restart as usual. I open Firefox and NOTHING is there. It's as if I just installed it new with no persona no color tabs, no tools what so ever, no toolbar files, no applications or plug-ins, nothing. All of my preferences are back to default. The only thing left is saved passwords under the security tab. It's the strangest thing. I really hope to find a way to get it all back, that was years worth of work. As I said, I have used Firefox for years and I have always been extremely satisfied,. I repair laptops as a side job, I recommend Firefox to ALL of my clients, in fact, I install Firefox in every laptop I repair & highly recommend that my clients always use it.
Hi scarlet777, could you check my earlier post: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/958981#answer-477850
Also:
- If you have a folder named Old Firefox Data on your desktop, that would indicate that Firefox did a Reset. The data in that folder can be restored (although many steps are involved).
- If you shut down and restart Windows, sometimes you may discover a new user was created at the system level. Log on under your regular identify to see whether that user has your Firefox settings.