I lost all of my downloads and bookmarks.
I lost all of my downloads and bookmarks and how do I get them back?
(edited to add the lost of the bookmarks posted in another thread - c)
Edeziri
All Replies (16)
Please explain the problem in detail.
All of my downloads are gone. Plain and simple.
All downloads from day before yesterday are gone. All bookmarks are gone.
Did you do a refresh on the browser?
Look on your desktop. Do you see a folder called; Old Firefox?
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recovering-important-data-from-an-old-profile
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles
Yes on both and nothing.
Just to avoid confusion.
Do you mean the download list you see in the Downloads folder in the Downloads Manager (Library) or do you mean that files you have downloaded and saved are no longer in the location where you saved them?
Since you lost your bookmarks as well (you creaed another thread about this) that would mean that you may have had a problem with the places.sqlite database.
If both are the same issue with losing data then best would be to handle these two questions in one thread.
- [/questions/1159978] I lost all of my bookmarks
Did you lose any other personal data in the profile folder?
Yes on Do you mean the download list you see in the Downloads folder in the Downloads Manager (Library) and the bookmarks. I have no idea as what other data is missing.
What is the current name of the profile folder?
Do you only have one profile folder if you check that in AppData\Roaming?
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
Go up one level to "\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\"
- C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\
I have Windows 8.1. Next.
It is a shame that I had to use GOOGLE CHROME to respond or ask questions about Firefox.
17 minutes later and it is still trying to connect for me to respond to your question. Hmmmm. I cannot log out of my email account. Makes you go hmm.
So, Mozilla/Firefox is going to solve this problem and the questionable emails will stop. No more go to this link and that link and whatever. Your company created this problem and you are going to fix it.
I used to have faith in your ability to create a superior product and so far you guys have failed miserably.
Just to be sure in case you misunderstood, I didn't ask for the Windows version (it shows in the System Details list), but about the name of the Firefox profile folder because in case you have used the refresh feature there would be a time string appended.
Did you check what profiles you have like I wrote above?
- %AppData%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
Sorry to disappoint you but I provided you with additional information. That is the reason why I provided you with the operating system. This information did not really come up.
The links were not complete and that is not my fault. Try being more specific instead of cutting corners with solutions.
Edeziri
Sorry I know some of the questions we ask may be rather complicated, and the steps needed may not be familiar.
Please make sure you do not accidentally or otherwise delete Files or folders, as some may be more important than you realise and you may inadvertently destroy important data. While having problems please think very carefully before deleting anything. If in doubt leave it where it is and ask us about it. Do not try Reinstalling Firefox or Resetting Firefox especially using any third party tools to help with that, unless you ask here first.
Windows does not always search all locations and for all file types, and may not always display full file names. Please temporarily set your Windows 8 so that it will display all files and full file names.
The following tutorials are carefully written and include screenshots. Please see
- Bleeping Computer Tutorial:
How to view file name extensions in Windows 8 and Windows 10
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-show-file-extensions-in-windows/#windows810 - How to see Hidden files in Windows
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-see-hidden-files-in-windows/#windows8 =>
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/show-hidden-files-in-windows-7/
Please search the entire computer for the file
places.sqlite
You may find more than one of these files please carefully note the full location of each file you find. Please then report back to us what you find and what the locations are. (If necessary edit out confidential information and replace real names of you or your machine with <name>) I have not used Window 8 much. Possibly if you find such a file a right click option will present its properties and allow you to copy and paste the full location.
If you have trouble following cor-el's suggestions please say what was not explained properly and we will try again to clarify that. I think cor-el may wish to know:
- Did you find the Firefox troubleshooting information page ?
- Did you read http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox ?
- Did you mange to open the location of the current Firefox profile using the button in the Troubleshooting Information Page ?
I think you may find this useful to read:
Besides trying to find the files or folders we are asking about have you tried to search specifically for some of your lost items using the names of the files or even the words used within the file content.
You mentioned
Linkedin courses lost forever
Images lost forever
Articles needed for schoolwork lost forever
This is now more of a Windows 8 subject and something you would do better discussing on a Windows forum but these two articles may be of use
- Beingtechsavvy: Set Windows 8 or 8.1 Search box to Search Text Inside Files
http://www.beingtechsavvy.com/set-windows-8-and-8-1-search-text-inside-files-content/8905By default, Windows search box finds documents, images, MP3 files and file names in the location you’ve approved for indexing, but there’s a lesser-known feature which lets you peek inside files without opening them.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to enable Windows search box to search for contents of files. And it’s really easy! - PCAdviisor: How to use Windows 8's new File Explorer
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/how-use-windows-8s-new-file-explorer-3406018/
I do not suppose you backed any of this stuff up anywhere else did you ?
I was trying to add a bookmark. Not delete anything. I am tired of Mozilla's excuses in not trying to solve anything but say go to this tutorial. Mozilla's credibility is shot with me forever.
Your troubleshooting page is a major joke.
Your telephone tech support is a joke as well. I was accused of deleting my booksmarks and when the tech support found them, he said that is going to cost you for me to reveal where your bookmarks are.
I hung up. Like I said, Mozilla has a major credibility problem.
Edeziri
Sorry you are still struggling with Firefox and your computer. We are doing our best to assist you. I know this reply must look rather daunting but I am trying to answer the points you have made.
I am not sure your problems are being caused by the Firefox browser. You are free to look elsewhere for help and pay for that help if you wish, but we will try to help you here; for free; with Firefox support issues.
Problems with Firefox bookmarks is something we should be able to assist you with if you provide us with replies to what we ask. Please remember
- We can not see your computer. - We rely on what you are able to say to us.
- This support forum is free to use, but note nearly all of us participating here are fellow users of Firefox offering our time & advice voluntarily.
Problems with lost files on your computer is not likely to be directly caused by Firefox. We are not able to help in depth with general Windows problems, but especially if they relate to use of Firefox at least we can try to point you at help articles or Windows related fora that stand a chance of being useful to you.
Generally it is prudent to back up information that is held on computers. In the case of Firefox bookmarks they may be backed up. It is shutting the proverbial stable door but note
You may even have noticed recent headlines about ransomware. (Oddly it is currently apparently hitting corporate users not ordinary users right now, and I heard mention that 70% pay up at an average of about $10,000 - US dollars - a time). Do make sure you keep your computer's software up to date and follow good practice.
These are some of our advice articles:
- How to stay safe on the web
- Create secure passwords to keep your identity safe
- How does built-in Phishing and Malware Protection work?
amanishakhete said
I was trying to add a bookmark. Not delete anything. I am tired of Mozilla's excuses in not trying to solve anything but say go to this tutorial. Mozilla's credibility is shot with me forever.
You may be trying to add a bookmark and not delete anything.
However you appear to have lost important information & many vital files on your Windows computer.
It is not clear yet whether you or something has deleted that information, or whether you are just unable to find it.
Your troubleshooting page is a major joke. https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/203515520-Consumer-Complaint-Center-Browser-Compatibility] Your telephone tech support is a joke as well. I was accused of deleting my booksmarks and when the tech support found them, he said that is going to cost you for me to reveal where your bookmarks are. I hung up. Like I said, Mozilla has a major credibility problem.
- Mozilla does not provide tech support by telephone.
- Mozilla does not charge for the support it provides or its community provides.
- Possibly you were mistaken or someone was trying to scam you.
- What troubleshooting page are you asking about ?
- Note we may have some issues currently with documentation not displaying properly or being outdated, because we are having issues with the support forum software.
- The FCC page you link to relates to the FCC itself.
- I linked to third party sites relating to use of Windows computers, as I thought it likely to be helpful to you in this situation
I will keep my fingers crossed that this long answer actually helps us all to understand the situation.