I have my Favorites file copied from the Firefox on my old XP machine onto a flash drive and want to import the folder to my new Linux machine's Firefox.
A few days ago I "decommissioned" my 5-year-old CPU, which had Windows XP for an OS. Before unhooking it I copied the Favorites folder from the Firefox program files onto a flash drive. My new machine's OS is Linux, but I will be continuing to use Firefox. I have not found any Help info on how to import bookmarks from one version of Firefox to another or off a flash drive, only from other browsers to Firefox. The last time I did this I simply put the old Favorites folder into the program files in place of its empty Favorites folder, but on the Linux machine I have been unable to locate program files of any kind so that shortcut isn't available. How do I import a Firefox Favorites file from a flash drive to the Firefox on my new CPU?
All Replies (4)
You are talking about two different systems. Each has its own way to store files.
You will need a special program that can read files created by other systems for that to work. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ One thing you could do is to create a sync account using the old system. Then add the new system to the sync. (Do this using a new/blank profile)
Note: You can sync only bookmarks/history and passwords. Other data may not be compatible.
snakeadelic said
... Before unhooking it I copied the Favorites folder from the Firefox program files onto a flash drive. ...
- Favorites aren't part of Firefox, which calls them bookmarks. So any folder named "Favorites" is from Internet Explorer and not compatible with Firefox. You would need to open File > Import & Export in IE and then Export your Favorites in bookmarks.html format which can then be imported into Firefox.
- Firefox stores bookmarks in a "user" folder far away from Firefox Program Files which is the convention in Windows operating systems. That are in the Profiles folder of your Windows Logon User Account. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data
I hope you still have access to that older PC, even if it no longer works. It can be connected as an external drive with an inexpensive cable so you can recover all your user data, There's probably a lot more data thatn mere bookmarks that you might want for the new computer.
Sounds that you may not have made a backup of the correct folder.
Firefox uses two locations for the Firefox profile folder, so make sure to look in the correct location.
Location used for the main profile that keeps your personal data (Root Directory on about:profiles).
- C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\
Location used for the disk cache and other temporary files (Local Directory on about:profiles) (not important).
- C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\
snakeadelic said
but on the Linux machine I have been unable to locate program files of any kind
The settings are not in the Firefox folder program folder whether on Windows or Linux but in a separate place.
The Profiles on Linux are in /home/username/.mozilla/firefox/
Note the . on mozilla means it is a hidden folder so make sure you can view hidden folders/files in whatever file manager you are using.