There is no reason why you should lose the passwords when you update Firefox.

Did you ever compared the files to see what goes wrong or are the logins.json and key3.db files simply missing or empty?

Did you check that there wasn't a new profile created for some reason like a problem with the profiles.ini file or other issues caused by security software?

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Recovering_a_missing_profile
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

Did you refresh (reset) Firefox during your update and created a new profile? This could happen if Firefox reported that it was starting slowly.

When you reset/refresh Firefox then a new profile is created and some personal data (bookmarks, history, cookies, passwords, form data) is automatically imported. The current profile folder will be moved to an "Old Firefox Data" folder on the desktop. Installed extensions and other customizations (toolbars, prefs) that you have made are lost and need to be redone.

It is possible to recover data from the old profile, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.

These can't get your data back, but will help in the future.

These add-ons can be a great help by backing up and restoring Firefox

FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) {web link} FEBE allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions, history, passwords, and more. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up -- It will actually rebuild your saved files individually into installable .xpi files. It will also make backup of files that you choose.

OPIE {web link} Import/Export extension preferences

rickchat said

For several recent updates of FireFox all my ID's and passwords (saved in password manager) disappear. I have been able to retrieve them by swapping one or more of three files from a previous version ("Key3.db", "Logins.json", & "Prefs.js") UNTIL THE LAST THREE OR FOUR UPDATES. This fix no longer works and I am therefore reluctant to update any more. I would like to know... a) Has this bug been fixed? b) If it hasn't, how can I store my ID's & Passwords elsewhere so I can quickly re-install them or at least see them in a list so I can manually copy them all back in again? c) How can I stop an annoying pop-up telling me to update FireFox (other than by updating it)? I have used FireFox happily for many years but this problem is very annoying and I am looking to change (very reluctantly) to some other browser if another update loses all ID's & Passwords and I have to re-install an older version to get them back. Please help if you can -- and thanks for considering this problem.

Thanks to those that offered useful suggestions. The problem is now cured as I was forced to install V 39 to stop the annoying pop-up telling me to do so and because Virgin are changing their email system and are warning that any browser must be updated. When I installed v 39 all my ID's and Passwords were there, just as they should be, so problem solved! Nevertheless I have now downloaded FEBE as suggested (thanks!) and will investigate it when I have more time. Thanks again to those that responded.