Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Transferring tabs to Firefox on a new PC

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 23 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

dc696969
dc696969
more options

I am replacing an old laptop and want to transfer all my Firefox settings to the new one. I have gone into the Sync setting on both and checked all Sync options - including Open Tabs. However, when I select Sync Now on the new PC, my open tabs from the old PC are not set up. I noticed that there is a Synced Tab sidebar which invites me to Connect Another Device - but selecting that option just leads to an invitation to login on an IOS or Android device. But, I don't want the tabs from there - I want it from my old PC. I realaise I could simply recreate the tabs - but with a hundred or so active, this would be a very tedious exercise. What can I do please?

I am replacing an old laptop and want to transfer all my Firefox settings to the new one. I have gone into the Sync setting on both and checked all Sync options - including Open Tabs. However, when I select Sync Now on the new PC, my open tabs from the old PC are not set up. I noticed that there is a Synced Tab sidebar which invites me to Connect Another Device - but selecting that option just leads to an invitation to login on an IOS or Android device. But, I don't want the tabs from there - I want it from my old PC. I realaise I could simply recreate the tabs - but with a hundred or so active, this would be a very tedious exercise. What can I do please?

All Replies (1)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

You can copy certain files with Firefox closed to the current profile folder to transfer or recover personal data. Note that best is to avoid copying a full profile folder.

  • bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
  • favicons: favicons.sqlite
  • bookmark backups: compressed .jsonlz4 JSON backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
  • cookies.sqlite for the Cookies
  • formhistory.sqlite for saved autocomplete Form Data
  • logins.json (passwords) and key4.db (58+) (decryption key) for Passwords saved in the Password Manager
    support for key3.db ended with Firefox 73
  • cert9.db (58+) for (intermediate) certificates stored in the Certificate Manager
  • persdict.dat for words you added to the spelling checker dictionary
  • permissions.sqlite for Permissions and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for other website specific data (Site Preferences)
  • sessionstore.jsonlz4 for open tabs and pinned tabs (see also the sessionstore-backups folder)

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.