I don't think you will need a new profile on your Windows 7 PC. You can keep using your old one.

If you want the two installations of Firefox to be linked, you can try the Sync feature. If you plan to stop using the Windows 7 PC or want them to evolve independently, then it makes more sense to copy lots of files.

A 100% clone is difficult. The reason is that Firefox picks up add-ons from the Registry (e.g., installed plugins that have added themselves to the plugins list) and files that other software may have deposited in a "shared" folder in the Firefox program folder.

Setting those aside, the most essential files to copy over are in your currently active profile folder and are described in this article: Restore bookmarks, passwords, and data from an old Firefox profile.

Now... I haven't seen a convenient step-by-step set of instructions for actually reproducing the closest possible installation on a new PC, but here's an attempt.

(1) Copy your entire active profile folder to external media so it's easy to access on your new PC.

From Firefox on your old PC, open the active profile folder using

Help > Troubleshooting Information > "Show Folder" button

Leaving this window open, switch over and exit Firefox. Allow a few moments for Firefox to finish updating files in your profile folder.

Then navigate Windows Explorer up one level and drag that folder to your external drive to copy it. (You can hold the Ctrl key when dragging to ensure that it is copied and not moved.)

(2) On your new PC, connect the external media and open the folder you copied. The contents should include a bookmarkbackups folder and numerous other files. Keep this window open.

(3) I assume there's nothing you've set up in Firefox on your new PC that you want to save.

From Firefox on your new PC, open the active profile folder using

Help > Troubleshooting Information > "Show Folder" button

Leaving this window open, switch over and exit Firefox. Allow a few moments for Firefox to finish updating files in the new profile folder.

Then delete all the contents of this profile folder. This will leave you with an empty profile folder.

(4) Select and copy all the contents of the folder on your external media into the profile folder you just emptied (either drag and drop or copy then paste should work).

(5) Start Firefox. It should launch into what looks exactly like the configuration you had on your other computer. As noted above, you might need to install a few plugins to complete the transplant.

Hummmm.... I wanted an actualized profile, and I am in big trouble :(. I have lost EVERYTHING. History, bookmarks, etc... FF started from scratch. So now, can you rescue me before I can think of installing something in the new computer? I would be soooo grateful. Thanks

Hi JenL27, which system has the problem of nothing in it? On your Windows 7 system, since you said you created a new profile, try using the Profile Manager to switch back to your regular profile.

(By the way, I'm assuming you meant a Firefox profile and not a Windows profile. Each Windows profile has its own Firefox settings folder(s).)

Profile Manager - Create, remove or switch Firefox profiles

hello, The problem is in Win 7. You ask to CLOSE FF to create a new profile. I wanted to do so since my previous one was old and I made many changes since then. So I closed FF, created my profile, reopened FF.... NOTHING anymore!. I am still there being scary to make more mistakes. What should I do??? THANK YOU :)

Hi JenL27, the Profile Manager lets you see ALL your currently existing Firefox profiles and choose the one you want to use.

Start the profile manager again, select your original profile, and start Firefox using that one. It will be a lot easier to work with your data that way.

IMPORTANT: Do not delete any profiles without making good backups.

THANKS A MILLION TIMES :) I am not done yet (too many other things to do) but I retrieved all my info. I need to reread all the advice you gave me... and follow it.

Sorry to bother you again :(

I had big problems with my new computer (Asus.... Arrrggghhh...) that I had to return it. I had no time to work on my FF before. It came back yesterday, they just reinstalled Windos and I tried.... nothing appears in FF. I religiously followed your instructions. Actually I get a page stating Jen -> Appdata -> Roaming -> Mozilla -> Firefox -> Profiles -> xxxxx. default, but when I open FF, I get nothing in bookmarks after copying from my flash drive. I should also have cookies etc...

More help is needed, please. Thank you

Hi JenL27, I assume Firefox starts up normally but doesn't have any of your personal data. What do you have on your USB flash drive?

If you copied over the entire old profile folder, Firefox probably will not notice its presence under the old folder name. You would need to copy the files into the new profile folder. Could you double-check that you copied into the newest folder (especially if you created an additional profile).

Hello,

Sorry for the delay... and there will be more, due to the problems with my Asus. Their support is terrible, the problems are and will not be solved, so I have to return it to Amazon, where I bought it. I am wondering if the issue with FF is not related, because I also have some with Outlook that I never had before.

That means that I have to buy a new one and do alllllllllllllllllllllll the settings again and reinstall all.

but to answer your question, yes, I copied everything from my desktop to the flash drive since it is not here with me. So maybe I have to create a new profile in FF? If you can give me a private way to attach a file, I can send it to you.

Thanks a lot

Jen

Hi Jen, I think the steps posted in this thread should work when you are setting up your new new computer. I don't think it would help to send the files to me.