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

Unable to migrate logins and passwords from old pc to new pc

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 28 views
  • Last reply by subwaybuff

more options

I installed Firefox 60 on my brand new pc (Windows 10) but my efforts to migrate my logins and passwords from my old pc have failed. I have (i) copied key3 and logins.json from the old pc, (ii) checked that security.enterprise_roots.enabled = false in about:config (https://support.mozilla.org/fr/questions/1210041) , and (iii) tried restarting Firefox in safe mode (https://support.mozilla.org/fr/questions/1210041). This is very annoying as I have more than 300 passwords.

How do I get around this problem? Could there be a clash with McAfee?

I installed Firefox 60 on my brand new pc (Windows 10) but my efforts to migrate my logins and passwords from my old pc have failed. I have (i) copied key3 and logins.json from the old pc, (ii) checked that security.enterprise_roots.enabled = false in about:config (https://support.mozilla.org/fr/questions/1210041) , and (iii) tried restarting Firefox in safe mode (https://support.mozilla.org/fr/questions/1210041). This is very annoying as I have more than 300 passwords. How do I get around this problem? Could there be a clash with McAfee?

Chosen solution

When you are going from Firefox 60 on one PC to Firefox 60 on another PC. for Passwords / Logons data all you need are the key4.db and logons.json file, assuming that you didn't have the Master Password enabled.

key3.db is an older version of that "4" file and isn't needed in a new installation. It is in the older installation due to that installation having been updated from an earlier version that used that older file version; and it's only left in place is case the user may want to "go back" to an older version.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (5)

more options

copy files like these with Firefox closed to the current profile folder to recover specific data.

  • bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
  • bookmark backups: compressed .jsonlz4 JSON backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
  • cookies.sqlite for the Cookies
  • formhistory.sqlite for saved autocomplete Form Data
  • logins.json (passwords) and key4.db (58+) or key3.db (57 and older) (decryption key) for Passwords saved in the Password Manager
  • if you only have key3.db then make sure to remove an existing key4.db
  • cert9.db (58+) or cert8.db (57 and older) for (intermediate) certificates stored in the Certificate Manager
  • if you only have cert8.db then make sure to remove an existing cert9.db
  • persdict.dat for words you added to the spelling checker dictionary
  • permissions.sqlite for Permissions and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for other website specific data (Site Preferences)
  • sessionstore.jsonlz4 for open tabs and pinned tabs (see also the sessionstore-backups folder)
more options

Chosen Solution

When you are going from Firefox 60 on one PC to Firefox 60 on another PC. for Passwords / Logons data all you need are the key4.db and logons.json file, assuming that you didn't have the Master Password enabled.

key3.db is an older version of that "4" file and isn't needed in a new installation. It is in the older installation due to that installation having been updated from an earlier version that used that older file version; and it's only left in place is case the user may want to "go back" to an older version.

more options

Thanks Pkshadow and the-edmeister! What worked like magic was key4.db :-) !!

more options

I found a workaround Download Firefox 47.02 and save to your desktop on your old PC Download mozbackup1.51 and save to your desktop on your old PC and Delete Firefox 60 and run 47.02 Run backup; no old PC (revert to 47.0.2) Save to a USB drive along with 47.02. On new PC delete Firefox 60 Install 47.0. 2from USB drive Install mozbackup from USB drive Restore from the USB drive Now you can update both machines to Firefox 60. It may take several updates and restarting Firefox

This worked for Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10 Pro and does not mess uip your profile on the new PC



n g n Firefox.

This worked for Windows 78 to Windowsm 10

more options

O L D C O M P U T E R Be sure to download the Firefox 47.0.2 STUB installer and save to a USB Drive Download mozbackup 1.51 and save to the USB drive Run the Firefox 47.0.2 stub installer and save to your hard drive. It wall overwrite Firefox 60. Close Firefox. Run mozbackup 1.5.1 and save to your hard drive Open mozbackup 1.51 and select backup a profile . Select Firefox 47.0.2. Copy to the USB drive

unplug the USB Drive

N E W C O M P U T E R From the USB drive install Firefox 47.0.2 STUB installer to your hard drive. Close Firefox. From the USB drive install mozbackup 1.51 to your hard drive.

From the USB drive install mozbackup 1.51 to your hard drive Open mozbackup and select restore a profile. Select Firefox 47.0.2 When done cop[y to your USB drive

W H A T I S N E X T Update both computers to Firefox 60. It will take several restarts. Now on ypur NEW PCbackup your profile and copy to the USB drive,