Import didn't work
Hi,
after I received the 'Firefox appears to be slow' message for a couple of times in a row I decided to use the 'clean install' option that it (the browser) offers. I was under the impression that you could choose what to clean and what to keep, but apparently I was wrong. I now have a clean install and all, but everything is reset - back to default.
I do have the old files on my desktop and tried to import them like mentioned here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1212433 But it didn't work at all. And to be honest ... I don't remember all of my passwords, which is what I truly need from my old files.
Alle svar (5)
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.
Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles.{web link} I use an add-on that makes backups of my user profile, Just In Case. Unfortunately, it is not compatible with the current Firefox.
Every now and then, open the profile folder and create a copy of the current profile as is to another location on your hard drive. This way you will have a backup.
If you do this each day, you will not lose much data. This should be done with Firefox Closed.
Note: In case you need to restore from these backups, you may need to overwrite old or corrupted files.
b.funk09 said
But it didn't work at all
Please explain the problem in detail. What happens? What are the exact error message(s) ?
Look on your desktop. Do you see a folder
called; Old Firefox? Look inside.
Look for the folder with the latest creation date.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recovering-important-data-from-an-old-profile
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-run-firefox-when-profile-missing-inaccessible
What files did you save to your desktop ?
Did you use the refresh feature in Firefox or did you remove the profile folder(s) otherwise ?
For the passwords you need to restore logins.json and key4.db to the current profile 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.
- Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Folder/Directory:
Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Profiles
As a last resort you can try to use a undelete utility to see whether you can restore profile data successfully.
- Recuva: https://www.piriform.com/recuva
FredMcD said
Please explain the problem in detail. What happens? What are the exact error message(s) ? Look on your desktop. Do you see a folder called; Old Firefox? Look inside.
There are no error messages, then browser is simply in teh default setting without any of my passwords/extensions/addons/...
The folder on the desktop 'Old Firefox Data' is what I tried to copy.
When you are ready, we can start moving parts of your old data and Copy it to the new profile.
First; open your file browser to the New profile;
Type about:support<enter> in the address bar.
Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.
Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder
Linux: Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Directory. To its right press the button Open Directory.
Second, open another file browser to the Old Firefox folder on your desktop. Then open the folder with the latest date, or whatever one you want to use.
Warning ! ! Only Copy the files you are told. We will avoid anything that might cause problems. Here is the list of files;
cookies: cookies.sqlite Do not bother. Cookies will be created when you return to the website. However, you will have to log in everywhere. And you may lose any settings that websites store on your computer.
extensions(add-ons, themes): it would be better to download them fresh. If you need to remember what add-ons you had, open the extensions sub-folder and look at the .xpi files ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ logins.json and key3.db [v58+]key4.db : These are the password files. Copy Both !
persdict.dat : custom dictionary - words you added to the dictionary
mimeTypes.rdf [v55+]handlers.json : What to do with what type of file.
places.sqlite : History and Bookmarks.
prefs.js : Your settings. Note: If you were having problems, this could be contaminated.
cert8.db [v58+]cert9.db and possibly cert_override.txt : Stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Firefox. If removed, the cert8.db, cert9.db file will be replaced.
search.json.mozlz4 : file stores the user-installed search engines that are available in the Firefox v47+
search.sqlite file and searchplugins folder store the search engines that are available in the Firefox Search bar before Firefox v47 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Copy these files from the old to the new. You may get a message that the files already exist. Choose to over-write for each file.