Windows 10 reached EOS (end of support) on October 14, 2025. If you are on Windows 10, see this article.

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.
Solved Archived

Re-installed linux; Firefox doesn't use my old profile.

Firefox Installation and updates
Michael K. replied
Michael K.
Michael K.

I had to reinstall my OS (linuxmint - debian edition - 201403). I left /home intact. After the process, I checked the profile -- nothing was changed. So I ran Firefox. But, my bookmarks didn't load (only the few that come with a new install). It didn't load the preferences either. I tried some tricks to get it to load my profile (i.e. create a new profile and copy the contents, Help>Troubleshooting Information -- Reset). Still no joy. I even tried running in a shell with -P <profile> for both the original and new profiles. Still no bookmarks (or anything from my original profile).

Also, on the Help>Troubleshooting Information page, I click 'open directory' and see my original profile.

What's wrong, and how do I fix it?

I had to reinstall my OS (linuxmint - debian edition - 201403). I left /home intact. After the process, I checked the profile -- nothing was changed. So I ran Firefox. But, my bookmarks didn't load (only the few that come with a new install). It didn't load the preferences either. I tried some tricks to get it to load my profile (i.e. create a new profile and copy the contents, Help>Troubleshooting Information -- Reset). Still no joy. I even tried running in a shell with -P <profile> for both the original and new profiles. Still no bookmarks (or anything from my original profile). Also, on the Help>Troubleshooting Information page, I click 'open directory' and see my original profile. What's wrong, and how do I fix it?

Modified by Michael K.

All Replies (2)

FredMcD
FredMcD

The program may have created a new profile.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles

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

Michael K.
Michael K. Question owner

Chosen Solution

Ok, I figured it out. I had Firefox running (to check how to work with profiles). I quit the program, then copied the old profile. Well, I tried copying on a freshly-booted machine -- it worked!