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After reinstalling Windows 10, an reinstalling Firefox, I am unable to recover my bookmarks.

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  • Last reply by ljzim

I reset my computer, which meant reinstalling Windows 10, but I retained my personal settings and/or data. I then reinstalled Firefox. I do not have, nor can I recover, my bookmarks. I have followed all the support suggestions I can locate.

I think I only have one profile, according the support procedure I followed.

The restore found in the library file shows only the default bookmarks for a new Firefox user.

Thanks for help.

I reset my computer, which meant reinstalling Windows 10, but I retained my personal settings and/or data. I then reinstalled Firefox. I do not have, nor can I recover, my bookmarks. I have followed all the support suggestions I can locate. I think I only have one profile, according the support procedure I followed. The restore found in the library file shows only the default bookmarks for a new Firefox user. Thanks for help.

Chosen solution

Hi ljzim, check inside each one for the bookmarkbackups folder and see what the file names show. They should have the creation date and a count of the number of bookmarks. That should help you find the best candidates for restoration. It might be the folder on top from 1/17/2018.

The reason I suggest copying one or two individual backup files you want to restore to the desktop is just the hassle of navigating down the long path to the folder. If you can copy/paste the path from the Windows Explorer address bar, it's not as bad. It just depends on what is least frustrating for you.

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ljzim said

I reset my computer, which meant reinstalling Windows 10, but I retained my personal settings and/or data.

Did Windows create this folder:

C:\Windows.old

If so, try:

(1) Set Windows to show hidden files and folders: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14201/windows-show-hidden-files

(2) Explore up this path:

C:\Windows.old\Users\your-username\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\profile.folder\bookmarkbackups

Do you find any recent files there? They could be restored using the Restore feature, but it will be easier if you copy one or two of the files to the desktop for quicker access.

See: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer

You'll use the "Choose File" option.

jscher2000- It looks like this will get it done. Attached is a screenshot of the profile folder. I assume when you say “recent” I one of the files created on 1/18/2018, shortly before I reinstalled the operating system. Probably, it doesn’t matter which one. Why is it more difficult to use the Firefox Restore function than to than to save files to the desktop? If I do save files to the desktop, I’m not sure how to proceed after that. You have been great and I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Modified by ljzim

Chosen Solution

Hi ljzim, check inside each one for the bookmarkbackups folder and see what the file names show. They should have the creation date and a count of the number of bookmarks. That should help you find the best candidates for restoration. It might be the folder on top from 1/17/2018.

The reason I suggest copying one or two individual backup files you want to restore to the desktop is just the hassle of navigating down the long path to the folder. If you can copy/paste the path from the Windows Explorer address bar, it's not as bad. It just depends on what is least frustrating for you.

jscher2000, you're terrific. Thanks for the help.