Transferring bookmarks to a new computer
I've had this happen twice now. Getting a new PC and wanting to transfer my bookmarks from old to new. I have had bookmarks on the old computer arranged in order of priority from left to right on my bookmarks bar. Did the export to create a HTML file and saved it so that I could import to new Firefox browser on new computer. So far so good. However, when setting up new browser and importing my bookmarks from the HTML file, it just creates a single folder on the new browser's bookmarks bar, instead of spreading my bookmarks out on the new bookmarks bar as it should. The bookmarks in the imported folder are still in the order I want, but to get them as individual items on the bookmarks bar, it seems I'd have to drag and drop them one by one to the new bookmarks bar. Solution please?
Chosen solution
IainSimo said
Yes, still have the old computer.
You could try the Backup/Restore feature. This works differently than Import in a couple ways:
(1) Restore does a complete replacement of the current bookmarks on your new installation. By comparison, Import adds the bookmarks and doesn't remove what is already there.
(2) As restored, the bookmarks should match exactly between the two installations (except for site icons). By comparison, Import usually puts the imported bookmarks into subfolders.
On the "Source" installation:
Create the JSON backup file: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer
On the "Receiving" installation:
Restore the JSON backup file: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer
What do you think?
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Do you still have the old computer handy? That will save some time.
You can bulk move items using the Library window (Ctrl+Shift+O), but I am not certain that the older will remain the same. There's an Undo command in case things go terribly wrong, and of course, you could Import again.
Yes, still have the old computer. The bookmarks are all there in the imported folder on the new computer. The issue is that they are in a folder, not spread across the toolbar/shortcut bar as I would like. I have to click on the folder to open and then select the book mark on want. Two clicks to go to a bookmark instead of one. If a resolution doesn't come up by Monday when I am back at work, I'll add some images to illistrate the problem.
Hi,
why dont you use the bookmark manager? You can copy all bookmarks from the one folder there in the bookmarks-toolbar part of the manager.
And they will be spread, like you wish
Chosen Solution
IainSimo said
Yes, still have the old computer.
You could try the Backup/Restore feature. This works differently than Import in a couple ways:
(1) Restore does a complete replacement of the current bookmarks on your new installation. By comparison, Import adds the bookmarks and doesn't remove what is already there.
(2) As restored, the bookmarks should match exactly between the two installations (except for site icons). By comparison, Import usually puts the imported bookmarks into subfolders.
On the "Source" installation:
Create the JSON backup file: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer
On the "Receiving" installation:
Restore the JSON backup file: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer
What do you think?
I'm not sure I fully understand what went wrong and where the imported bookmarks appear.
If you want the bookmarks to appear on the Bookmarks Toolbar then you can do a cut and paste in the Bookmarks Manager (Library) from the folder where they are currently located to the Bookmarks Toolbar folder if that is where you want them to appear.
florian.katzman said
Hi, why dont you use the bookmark manager? You can copy all bookmarks from the one folder there in the bookmarks-toolbar part of the manager. And they will be spread, like you wish
Hi Florian I'm not sure what you mean by the 'bookmark manager'. Another contributor has suggested using the Backup/Restore feature. It looks like it might be the solution I'm looking for. The 2 computers are at work so I won't find out till I get to work tomorrow morning (monday).
jscher2000 said
IainSimo said
Yes, still have the old computer.You could try the Backup/Restore feature. This works differently than Import in a couple ways:
(1) Restore does a complete replacement of the current bookmarks on your new installation. By comparison, Import adds the bookmarks and doesn't remove what is already there.
(2) As restored, the bookmarks should match exactly between the two installations (except for site icons). By comparison, Import usually puts the imported bookmarks into subfolders.
On the "Source" installation:
Create the JSON backup file: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer
On the "Receiving" installation:
Restore the JSON backup file: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer
What do you think?
This sounds like it may work. The computers (old & new) are at work, so I can't test until Monday morning (about 12 hours from now, Australian time). As I interpret it, this backup/restore should set my Firefox browser on the new computer just as it was on the old - does that include any plugins I had installed on the old browser?
Bookmark backup/restore is only for bookmarks. If you want to attempt a complete data transfer, please see the following post; of course your source folder will be coming from your old computer:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1321847#answer-1383963
jscher2000 said
IainSimo said
Yes, still have the old computer.You could try the Backup/Restore feature. This works differently than Import in a couple ways:
(1) Restore does a complete replacement of the current bookmarks on your new installation. By comparison, Import adds the bookmarks and doesn't remove what is already there.
(2) As restored, the bookmarks should match exactly between the two installations (except for site icons). By comparison, Import usually puts the imported bookmarks into subfolders.
On the "Source" installation:
Create the JSON backup file: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer
On the "Receiving" installation:
Restore the JSON backup file: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer
What do you think?
Thanks jscher - that worked a treat!