Firefox creates multiple "profile" folders for a single profile
Issue
I have another kind of problem with Firefox
Description
I was cleaning up unnecessary files. I have only one user profile for Firefox, verified by Start -> Run -> Firefox.exe -Profilemanager
When I go to Firefox->Help->Troubleshooting Information -> App'l Basics -> Profile Directory -> Open Containing Folder, it says my files are contained in C:\Documents and Settings\name\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default There I see the expected familiar files such as prefs.js and so on, with modified date of today, indicating that these are the files Firefox is using for my profile.
However, in that folder I find the file urlclassifier2.sqlite, 10MB, modified Jan 14, 2009. This is an old version of the file probably used by a previous version of Firefox. I also find a file bookmarks.html with an old date also January 14, 2009. I do not find any bookmark file with today's date, even though I have updated my bookmarks today.
Searching I found the following: C:\Documents and Settings\name\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ xxxxxxxx.default (the same 8-digit salt as the other folder)
This is a different folder, not listed in the Troubleshooting Information list. And this folder contains only 3 files and 3 folders. 3 Folders with "Cache" in their name, and 3 files all modified today: urlclassifier3.sqlite 32MB, XPC.mfl 2M, and XUL.mfl 1M.
I am aware that the urlclassifier files are used to flag malware sites, and so are important. However, how can I be sure that it's using the correct file? The latest one urlclassifier3.sqlite is not located in the true profile folder. The one in the true profile folder is urlclassifier2.sqlite, which is old (1/14/09).
In summary, (1) How can I tell which of these folders is the actual profile folder? (2) Can I delete the others? (3) If so, how can I be sure that Firefox will be properly using the correct urlclassifier file? (4) Where are my bookmarks being stored, if not in bookmarks.html?
This happened
Not sure how often
Uncertain
Troubleshooting information
Application Basics
Name Firefox
Version 3.6.7
Profile Directory Open Containing Folder
Installed Plugins about:plugins
Build Configuration about:buildconfig
Firefox version
3.6.7
Operating system
Windows XP
User Agent
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.2.7) Gecko/20100713 Firefox/3.6.7
Plugins installed
- -Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape "9.3.3"
- Default Plug-in
- Shockwave Flash 10.1 r53
All Replies (2)
When I posted the above, I had typed "name" enclosed in gt/lt symbols, but this string was apparently omitted automatically. I have edited this post accordingly.
The folder "Local Settings" has the attribute "Hidden" set, and shows a creation date of 8/14/2004. There is no modified date.
1. This is where your main Profile folder is located: C:\Documents and Settings\myname\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default
2. Secondary location: C:\Documents and Settings\myname\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default No, don't delete that folder or the files in it. Those files would be re-created the next time you open Firefox. Those files are necessary.
3. Firefox put that file there, so it knows its' there. Delete it and Firefox will download that data all over again, and put it back in that folder.
4. Bookmarks are stored in the places.sqlite file in the main Profile folder, since the Firefox 3 versions.
Some of those files have been moved around from one major version of Firefox to the next to improve various aspects of "performance" and also to minimize file size for automated personal data backup purposes & for roaming Profiles in a large network setting. The urlclassifier file can get to be quite large, which could really screw-up roaming Profiles on a network server.