it upgraded it self , but on doing so i lost all the passwords it did not make a folder old firefox , it would be simple if you can just have a setting that all you do is say find past passwords and then install them the whole thing has left a bad feeling about firefox, which is no longer for use by novices, like my self

In the event that the passwords information is lost, you should record all information in a separate text file somewhere else on your hard drive, or written down. You can easily copy and paste if you need to do so. If you are concerned about someone else looking at that file, you can compress it using a password.

Firefox 80+ has a logins-backup.json file in the profile folder that can be used in case of issues with logins.json or to undo an accidental delete of a login, so you can check if you can find this file in the profile folder or in a backup and replace the current logins.json. Make sure to keep a backup copy of all involved files (logins.json and key4.db and logins-backup.json)

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

Help -> More Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Folder/Directory: Windows: Show/Open Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data

If you use a Primary Password then you can prevent losing passwords by canceling the PP prompt. You need to logout beforehand by canceling a PP prompt, e.g. by clicking the eye icon in Lockwise (about:logins).

Also see; https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recover-user-data-missing-after-firefox-update

Hi Fread for a total novice this is a nightmare , why can there not just be a restore old passwords button for novices like me in stead of going around in bloody circles , c?winows // firefox crap upgrades,

sorry , i think whit all the programmers that contribute to fiirefox they would come up with a simple fix that everyone can simply click a button and reinstall passwords and book marks , or simply put why has this not been corrected, or has firefox now gone to complicated that the novices cannot use it with out going through all the process put in place , firefox should have a small pieces of emergency software to help put this mess wright , or do i have to search the ends of the earth on the computer for a folder Firefox.old , /crap programmer

rhoslan, yes it would be nice for there to be an in-app button. But it is what it is.

If you want to get your passwords back perhaps you could try FredMcD's suggestion of opening up your profile folder and replacing the logins.json FILE WITH logins-backup.json (you may wish to close Firefox first). With any luck that is all you'll have to do to get your passwords back.

But whatever you do, you should at least make copies of all the suggested files logins.json and key4.db and logins-backup.json before you try anything.

well the strange thing is i have backups but cannot put them back into Firefox due to all the messing about , : useless support ,whist i can import files to microsoft , which i dont like, as you said as a programmer it is what it is a load of bad programming that is just getting worse with no real help in the help menu , for ease of use , just for more money