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How can I restore browser history

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  • 4 have this problem
  • 7 views
  • Last reply by cje24576

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I'm using a laptop I haven't used in forever, but the last time I used Firefox on it, it had all my previous browser history. However, when I went on it today, it had all disappeared. I didn't delete it or anything, so I was wondering if there was any way to get it back (especially so that it will show up in my browser)? Please tell me there is.

I'm using a laptop I haven't used in forever, but the last time I used Firefox on it, it had all my previous browser history. However, when I went on it today, it had all disappeared. I didn't delete it or anything, so I was wondering if there was any way to get it back (especially so that it will show up in my browser)? Please tell me there is.

All Replies (16)

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Four questions:

So you're saying the first option I listed, correct?

Do I still delete the other files: the "places.sqlite-SHM" & the "places.sqlite-WAL" files?

What if I've already restored previous versions of the "places.sqlite-SHM" & the "places.sqlite-WAL" files?

Also, did you see the thing I said about scanning the "places.sqlite-corrupt" file with my antivirus?

Modified by cje24576

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You can delete the places.sqlite-shm and places.sqlite-wal files as Firefox will recreate them when needed and only leave the main places.sqlite file. places.sqlite-corrupt files are ignored, so you can remove them or keep them, that is up to you.

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Ok. But, you didn't answer my first question & the last 2 questions I asked. Could you please answer those as well?

Also, when I restore the previous version of the "places.sqlite" file, should it be marked "read only" or not?

Also, what happens if this doesn't work? Is there anything else I can try?

Please answer all my questions. Thanks.

Modified by cje24576

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places.sqlite stores the Firefox bookmarks and history, so it is normally not of importance to scan this file, but if your AV software doesn't find anything suspicious in the file then that is OK.

Firefox keeps backups of the bookmarks in the bookmarkbackups folder, so you can always restore the bookmarks. There is no backup of the history, so for the history you need a uncorrupted places.sqlite.

I've already wrote a few times that removing the other places.sqlite files (-shm, -wal, -corrupt) doesn't has any negative effects because new -shm and -wal files will be created and the -corrupt file is a not working places.sqlite file, so is normally not of use.

Restoring a previous version of places.sqlite will replace the current version, so you can first backup existing files elsewhere.


So:

Place the places.sqlite file as only places.sqlite database file in a profile folder, either in the current profile folder or in a new profile to make testing easier.

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Ok sorry. I was wondering though:

-When I restore the previous version of the "places.sqlite" file, should it be marked "read only" or not?

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Just leave the file as read/write and not as read-only.

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cor-el said

Just leave the file as read/write and not as read-only.

What do you mean? There's no option for "read/write" that I can see.

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You can find a read-only check box in the properties of a file (right-click: Properties). If the read-only box has a checkmark then remove it.

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Ah, so that's what you meant. You had said a "read/ write" option. Anyway, what if I've already restored previous versions of the "places.sqlite-SHM" & the "places.sqlite-WAL" files?

Modified by cje24576

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Best is to only restore the main places.sqlite file and let Firefox create new places.sqlite-shm and places.sqlite-wal files, so make sure to remove existing -shm and -wal versions after you have restored or replaced places.sqlite.

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That's not exactly what I asked.

What if I had already restored previous versions of the "places.sqlite-SHM" & the "places.sqlite-WAL" files? I believe I did this before I learned to only restore the previous version of just the "places.sqlite" file & before I learned I should remove the other files. Do you understand what I'm saying?

Modified by cje24576

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do System restore for the recovery of your internet history.

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Quote: do System restore for the recovery of your internet history.

Not likely and doing a System Restore can cause more trouble because Windows doesn't tell what files get restored (.ini files and .js files are likely affected) and you may have to reinstall Firefox and other software that got updated since the restore point.

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cor-el, what I was asking about was this:

What if I had already restored previous versions of the "places.sqlite-SHM" & the "places.sqlite-WAL" files? I believe I did this before I learned from you to only restore the previous version of just the "places.sqlite" file & before I learned I should remove the other files. Do you understand what I'm saying?

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It shouldn't hurt if you would remove places.sqlite-shm and places.sqlite-wal with Firefox closed if you aren't sure whether they could cause problems. Firefox probably only leaves them to speed up the starting by avoiding to recreate them on every start. You can however never predict the effect of -shm and -wal files that are corrupted or still have data that refers to another version of the main SQLite file.

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What happens if this method (i.e.: restoring a previous version of the normal "places.sqlite" file & deleting the other 2 files) doesn't work? Is there anything else I can try? I hope you understand what I'm asking.

Modified by cje24576

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