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How do I open the Places.sqlite folder to retrieve my bookmarks?

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by cor-el

stickler
stickler
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I used System Restore to return to an earlier date on my computer. Lost all bookmarks in Firefox. I found my profile , found the places.sqlite folder, but when I double-clicked on it, Windows was unable to open it. How can I retrieve my bookmarks?

I used System Restore to return to an earlier date on my computer. Lost all bookmarks in Firefox. I found my profile , found the places.sqlite folder, but when I double-clicked on it, Windows was unable to open it. How can I retrieve my bookmarks?

All Replies (3)

Scribe
Scribe
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Hi, System Restore can sometimes cause problems, especially if you restore to before a Firefox update. You can try this first: Open bookmarks > Show All Bookmarks > Import and Backup > Restore, and see if you have a backup there.

If not, just right click > Copy, the places.sqlite file.

If your question is resolved by this or another answer, please take a minute to let us know. Thank you!

stickler
stickler Question owner
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I can copy, but where do I paste? Also, when I try to open the file, Windows can't open it. Which program do I use to open it?

cor-el
cor-el
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  • Top 10 Contributor
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This is possibly caused by restoring an older copy of the profiles.ini file.

You can copy the file to the current profile folder, but you can also re-register that previously used profile to make Firefox use that profile. You can do that by using the Profile Manager to create a new profile and click the "Choose Folder" button and browse to that previous profile.

You can use this button to go to the current Firefox profile folder:

  • Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
    Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder

You can copy files like these to the current Firefox profile folder to recover specific data.

  • bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
  • bookmark backups: JSON backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
  • SQLite files like cookies.sqlite (cookies) and formhistory.sqlite (saved form data)
  • logins.json and key3.db (decryption key) for Passwords saved in the Password Manager
  • cert8.db and possibly cert_override.txt for (intermediate) certificates stored in the Certificate Manager
  • persdict.dat for words you added to the spelling checker dictionary
  • permissions.sqlite for Permissions and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for other Site Preferences
  • sessionstore.js for open tabs and pinned tabs and tab groups

See also: