(I am not a Windows 8 user.) This is a Firefox support forum so we are not able to deal with Windows 8 issues in any detail or depth. I note this * http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc '''Refresh your PC without affecting your files <blockquote>'''Warning''' <br /> Apps you installed from websites and DVDs will be removed. Apps that came with your PC and apps you installed from the Windows Store will be reinstalled. Windows puts a list of removed apps on your desktop after refreshing your PC. </blockquote> So I think unless Firefox was on the recovery partition it will be lost and its profile data along with it. We can not start a detailed Windows 8 discussion here but if anyone has useful links to MS material or a Windows forum where this is explained post a very brief summary and the link. This is obviously important information to Windows 8 Firefox users. Having no idea what the Refresh does I do not know if there is any data that may be recoverable. If your years of bookmarks are important it may help any slim chance of recovery if you stop using that computer whilst investigating whether recovery may be a possibility. I did find this * http://superuser.com/questions/759314/i-lost-my-files-under-the-libraries-music-pictures-and-videos-after-doing-a-win <br /> But I do not think that offers any obvious solution that will apply to you. -------- Presumably if you had made any backups or disk images you would have mentioned that. I also don't suppose you made any manual bookmarks backups * [[Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer]] Sorry to be pointing it out after the event, but it is always good practice to make manual backups. You mention Sync but personally I would not recommend over reliance on Sync to keep bookmarks safe.