Hi curetta, I am not too sure I am understanding properly what you are trying to do but I will attempt to give a suitable answer.

I am not in Ubuntu at present. In Ubuntu Firefox does normally open the profile as expected from that page. It should be easy enough to open it manually instead by using the Nautilus filemanger. It is also worth trying first of all from Firefox when running in its safemode:

• See Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode
  • Use: Menu {three bar icon) -> Help { (?) icon) -> Restart with Add-ons disabled
• Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data_finding-your-profile-without-opening-firefox

If you are trying to save passwords or to use a master password there is no need to open the profile folder up.

• Use a Primary Password to protect stored logins and passwords
• Where are my logins stored?

Thank-you - Now I know it is a known problem with Ubuntu and not an important issue. I apologize for not seeing the specific info for Ubuntu in the Profiles article prior to contacting you - but I had spent a lot of time looking........... Maybe I should have entered Ubuntu and Profiles in the search. I have located the Profile files OK

Thanks for posting back.

Glad you are now able to open your Firefox Profile.

I do not know why your Ubuntu opens Shotwell instead of your profile. However if the issue goes way in safe mode it is probably one of your Firefox extensions that is interfering.

Have not solved Shotwell opening - it was still doing it in safe mode. But as it does not seem to have affected Shotwell or my photos and I can access my Profiles, I am now happy to ignore it. Maybe one day when i have plenty of time on my hands I will enjoy trying to puzzle it out and let you know!

But you advice has saved me a lot of stress - thanks again, irene