Solution 1

If Firefox starts up after an update without your bookmarks and other settings, check whether your data is available in a different profile:

Inside Firefox, type or paste about:profiles in the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it. The About Profiles page will open. This page should list at least one profile and could list many.

The profile that Firefox is currently using will show:
This is the profile in use and it cannot be deleted.

Please do not delete anything here; don't use any Remove buttons.

Do you have another profile named default or default-longnumber listed on this page? If so, you can check whether it is the one you were using recently by clicking its Launch profile in new browser button.

If it isn't what you want, simply close that new window.

If it IS what you want, click the Set as default profile button for that profile on the about:profiles page. Firefox will use it automatically at the next startup.

For more information see Recover user data missing after Firefox update.

Note: If your bookmarks are not available in another Firefox profile, see Recover lost or missing Bookmarks for other solutions.

Solution 2

If your bookmarks are not in another profile, please use Ctrl+Shift+O to open the Bookmarks Library. On the left hand side of the new window that opens up, select "All Bookmarks". After that, head to the top of the window and you should see something that says:

Import and Backup

Click on it and then select "Restore". Then select the closest date before Firefox was updated.

If either of these solutions worked for you, please write back. If it didn't do the same and we'll try to find another possible solution for you.

Hello and thank you for your reply.

Yes, I did go into "Profiles" and my bookmarks were in neither of the two default profiles that were listed. Both of these profiles seem to be exactly the same - though one is named default-default and the other just default.

I do know that when I turned on the computer today, I did not get my usual homepage, instead, it opened (if I can remember correctly) what looked like a "Welcome to Firefox" page?

The only thing I can think of that took place early this morning before I shut down, was I opened the Google Chrome browser that I had downloaded a few weeks ago (for pending work). I don't recall doing anything other than checking the inbox of Microsoft Outlook.

This computer is new and I'm new to Windows 11, although I haven't had too many problems other than this, so far... If you have any other ideas, they would be most welcomed!

Appreciatively, Janice

Hi Janice, Please try the following solution to restore your bookmarks:

If your bookmarks are not in another profile, please use Ctrl+Shift+O to open the Bookmarks Library. On the left hand side of the new window that opens up, select "All Bookmarks". After that, head to the top of the window and you should see something that says:

Import and Backup

Click on it and then select "Restore". Then select the closest date before Firefox was updated.

If either of these solutions worked for you, please write back. If it didn't do the same and we'll try to find another possible solution for you.

Hi Infinity,

I did try that previously, although these there are only two options: April 5, 2022 (949 bytes - 11 items) and Choose File.

Also, now I just noticed a lot of my downloaded pictures and videos have disappeared....??

Hi Janice, It appears that Firefox has been completely reinstalled with your files wiped out from your computer. If you were signed into your account before the update and your account was synced, please sign back in and sync your account. Then see if your files have been recovered.

Hi James,

Thank you so much for helping me resolve this!

I am slightly computer illiterate, so please bear with me... I can't help but wonder if this will become commonplace, like next time Firefox has an update?

Am I correct in saying that Firefox had my files "stored" on a server? If so, why? Why wouldn't they simply be saved on my hard drive like they used to be? Is this something to do with Windows 11?

Questions, questions....

Hi Janice, Yes, there is a possibility that this will occur in the future. As such, I will show you how to store your bookmarks (as a backup) so that you can import the bookmarks if this occurs again.

1. Click on the menu button in the top right corner
2. Select "help"
3. Select "More troubleshooting information"
4. Then, under Application Basics next to Profile Folder, there should be a button that says Open Folder. Click on it.
5. File Explorer should open up. Then select "bookmarks". That is your bookmarks folder. You can copy the whole folder and past it somewhere else to keep it safe, although you will have to do this regularly so if you want to do this, I suggest setting a reminder. If this occurs again, use the following steps.

1. Ctrl+Shift+O
2. Select "All Bookmarks"
3. At the top of the window, select "Import and Backup"
4. Select "Restore"
5. Select "Choose File"
6. Navigate to the file which contains your latest bookmarks then import it.

Thanks, James

Hi James,

Again, thank you for your help. You are not only quick with your responses, you give clear and concise instructions, so I commend for that!

Appreciatively, Janice

Hi Janice, Thank you for your cooperation in getting your problem solved and for your feedback. Your feedback helps us improve our services not only in the support forums but in other Mozilla products as well. I hope we can assist you again in the future with the same efficiency as we did today.

With regards, James