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

Firefox creates multiple "profile" folders for a single profile

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Steve

more options

Issue

I have another kind of problem with Firefox

Description

I was cleaning up unnecessary files. I have only one user profile for Firefox, verified by Start -> Run -> Firefox.exe -Profilemanager

When I go to Firefox->Help->Troubleshooting Information -> App'l Basics -> Profile Directory -> Open Containing Folder, it says my files are contained in C:\Documents and Settings\name\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default There I see the expected familiar files such as prefs.js and so on, with modified date of today, indicating that these are the files Firefox is using for my profile.

However, in that folder I find the file urlclassifier2.sqlite, 10MB, modified Jan 14, 2009. This is an old version of the file probably used by a previous version of Firefox. I also find a file bookmarks.html with an old date also January 14, 2009. I do not find any bookmark file with today's date, even though I have updated my bookmarks today.

Searching I found the following: C:\Documents and Settings\name\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ xxxxxxxx.default (the same 8-digit salt as the other folder)

This is a different folder, not listed in the Troubleshooting Information list. And this folder contains only 3 files and 3 folders. 3 Folders with "Cache" in their name, and 3 files all modified today: urlclassifier3.sqlite 32MB, XPC.mfl 2M, and XUL.mfl 1M.

I am aware that the urlclassifier files are used to flag malware sites, and so are important. However, how can I be sure that it's using the correct file? The latest one urlclassifier3.sqlite is not located in the true profile folder. The one in the true profile folder is urlclassifier2.sqlite, which is old (1/14/09).

In summary, (1) How can I tell which of these folders is the actual profile folder? (2) Can I delete the others? (3) If so, how can I be sure that Firefox will be properly using the correct urlclassifier file? (4) Where are my bookmarks being stored, if not in bookmarks.html?


This happened

Not sure how often

Uncertain

Troubleshooting information

Application Basics

       Name  Firefox
       Version  3.6.7
       Profile Directory Open Containing Folder
       Installed Plugins about:plugins
       Build Configuration  about:buildconfig

Firefox version

3.6.7

Operating system

Windows XP

User Agent

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.2.7) Gecko/20100713 Firefox/3.6.7

Plugins installed

  • -Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape "9.3.3"
  • Default Plug-in
  • Shockwave Flash 10.1 r53
== Issue == I have another kind of problem with Firefox == Description == I was cleaning up unnecessary files. I have only one user profile for Firefox, verified by Start -> Run -> Firefox.exe -Profilemanager When I go to Firefox->Help->Troubleshooting Information -> App'l Basics -> Profile Directory -> Open Containing Folder, it says my files are contained in C:\Documents and Settings\name\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default There I see the expected familiar files such as prefs.js and so on, with modified date of today, indicating that these are the files Firefox is using for my profile. However, in that folder I find the file urlclassifier2.sqlite, 10MB, modified Jan 14, 2009. This is an old version of the file probably used by a previous version of Firefox. I also find a file bookmarks.html with an old date also January 14, 2009. I do not find any bookmark file with today's date, even though I have updated my bookmarks today. Searching I found the following: C:\Documents and Settings\name\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ xxxxxxxx.default (the same 8-digit salt as the other folder) This is a different folder, not listed in the Troubleshooting Information list. And this folder contains only 3 files and 3 folders. 3 Folders with "Cache" in their name, and 3 files all modified today: urlclassifier3.sqlite 32MB, XPC.mfl 2M, and XUL.mfl 1M. I am aware that the urlclassifier files are used to flag malware sites, and so are important. However, how can I be sure that it's using the correct file? The latest one urlclassifier3.sqlite is not located in the true profile folder. The one in the true profile folder is urlclassifier2.sqlite, which is old (1/14/09). In summary, (1) How can I tell which of these folders is the actual profile folder? (2) Can I delete the others? (3) If so, how can I be sure that Firefox will be properly using the correct urlclassifier file? (4) Where are my bookmarks being stored, if not in bookmarks.html? == This happened == Not sure how often == Uncertain == == Troubleshooting information == Application Basics Name Firefox Version 3.6.7 Profile Directory Open Containing Folder Installed Plugins about:plugins Build Configuration about:buildconfig == Firefox version == 3.6.7 == Operating system == Windows XP == User Agent == Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.2.7) Gecko/20100713 Firefox/3.6.7 == Plugins installed == *-Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape "9.3.3" *Default Plug-in *Shockwave Flash 10.1 r53

All Replies (2)

more options

When I posted the above, I had typed "name" enclosed in gt/lt symbols, but this string was apparently omitted automatically. I have edited this post accordingly.

The folder "Local Settings" has the attribute "Hidden" set, and shows a creation date of 8/14/2004. There is no modified date.

more options

1. This is where your main Profile folder is located: C:\Documents and Settings\myname\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default

2. Secondary location: C:\Documents and Settings\myname\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default No, don't delete that folder or the files in it. Those files would be re-created the next time you open Firefox. Those files are necessary.

3. Firefox put that file there, so it knows its' there. Delete it and Firefox will download that data all over again, and put it back in that folder.

4. Bookmarks are stored in the places.sqlite file in the main Profile folder, since the Firefox 3 versions.

Some of those files have been moved around from one major version of Firefox to the next to improve various aspects of "performance" and also to minimize file size for automated personal data backup purposes & for roaming Profiles in a large network setting. The urlclassifier file can get to be quite large, which could really screw-up roaming Profiles on a network server.