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

I mistakenly reset Firefox to defaults. Catastrophic Mistake! How do I Undo this immediately.

  • 3 ŋuɖoɖowo
  • 2 masɔmasɔ sia le wosi
  • 269 views
  • Nuɖoɖo mlɔetɔ cor-el

more options

This is a business computer. It can't be down. I need to undo reset immediately.

This is a business computer. It can't be down. I need to undo reset immediately.

All Replies (3)

more options
more options

Here's an updated version of profile resurrection procedure with fewer external references:

Overview

These are the steps:

(1) Create a new Firefox profile
(2) Remove everything from that new profile folder
(3) Copy in everything from the old profile folder

Create a new Firefox profile (Windows)

Exit Firefox and start up in the Profile Manager using Start > search box (or Run):

firefox.exe -P

Note: Any time you want to switch profiles, exit Firefox and return to this dialog.

Click the Create Profile button. Use the default location (i.e., do not click to choose a different folder). Then select that new profile in the dialog and start Firefox.

Open the New Profile folder in Windows Explorer

Firefox in the new profile should look like a factory fresh installation. Open the Troubleshooting Information page using either:

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table, click the "Show Folder" button. Firefox will launch your brand new profile folder in Windows Explorer.

Leaving this folder open, switch back to Firefox, and Exit. This will leave that profile folder open in Windows Explorer.

Copy Old Data in Place of New

In that new profile folder, select all the contents and delete.

Leaving that window open, open or switch over to your Old Firefox Data folder. Drill down into your old profile folder. At this level you should see a folder named bookmarkbackups among other things.

Select everything and Copy (either right-click > Copy or Ctrl+c).

Switch to the empty new profile folder in other window and Paste (either right-click > Paste or Ctrl+v). This may take a minute since some of the files are large.

Start Firefox

Firefox should start up in that new profile with the resurrected old profile data. Success?

more options

How did you reset Firefox?

Was that via the Help > Troubleshooting Information page or otherwise like in a Safe Mode startup window or notification that Firefox was starting up slow?

It might be possible to suppress such a notification to prevent it from happening again.


See also: