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I lost all my bookmarks and i can't find them in the last ten packups.How can i bring them back?

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i'm not sure what i have done...either i reinstalled forefox or updated it before and then..i didn't find any of my bookmarks..i restored already the oldest one of the last ten packups...but i couldn't find any of them too..i don't know how this could happen with firefox..plz tell me how can i bring them back?..

i'm not sure what i have done...either i reinstalled forefox or updated it before and then..i didn't find any of my bookmarks..i restored already the oldest one of the last ten packups...but i couldn't find any of them too..i don't know how this could happen with firefox..plz tell me how can i bring them back?..

All Replies (15)

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Did you lose any other settings?

If Firefox ran into problems and performed a Reset, then you normally would find a folder on your desktop named Old Firefox Data. If you find that, we could suggest how to extract information from it.


Windows 7 has a feature where you can use Windows system restore points to bring back old copies of files. This won't work with the individual bookmark backup files, but it might work with places.sqlite, the database which stores your history and bookmarks.

First step would be to make a backup of the file in case restoring an earlier file causes worse problems than you have now.

Open your current Firefox settings (AKA Firefox profile) folder using either:

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information > "Show Folder" button
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter > "Show Folder" button

Scroll down to places.sqlite but before making a copy, you want to close Firefox and make sure the file is properly updated.

Leaving that window open, switch back to Firefox and Exit (either orange Firefox button > Exit or classic File menu > Exit).

Pause while Firefox finishes its cleanup, then copy places.sqlite to a safe place (for example, your Documents folder). You typically can Ctrl+c to copy the file, then change folders and Ctrl+v to paste the copy there. Very important: do not MOVE the file. Only COPY the file.

Now, back in your in your Firefox profile folder, right-click places.sqlite > Properties > Previous Versions tab. Check for dates that are most likely to have the bookmarks you want. Anything look like it's worth a try to restore?

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Sorry it didn't help..

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do you know where is the backup file? see if the file isnt corrupted try open the file manually

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles

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Even this was a smart way restoring older "places.sqlite"..but i've found the oldest one is only 14 days before...any other ideas???

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When did you notice that your bookmarks were gone? More than 2 weeks ago? There might not be any way to get them back now if both the built-in backup system and the Windows system restore only go back 2 weeks.

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if it is not a problem for you I try to manually recover your favorites, just send me an email with json and sqlite

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Thx for trying to help...i wouldn't expect that from firefox :( "disappointed" You should make someway to keep the bookmarks whatever happens.

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It is your own responsibility to backup your personal data regularly to avoid dataloss in case of problems.

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there is a way, you need only do backups regular, i have 3 backup of my bookmarks, on clouds, other in my pen drive and in a CD

never miss my bookmarks :)

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True..but who said that any problem has occurred..updating a software or re-installing it isn't a problem..i still think firefox should figure out a more efficient way keeping bookmarks exist if any "problem" occurs...or at least increase the number of the automatic packups..um not an expert but i think this would be effective in such a case..

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toddy..u should have told me :)

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try start firefox in safe mode and load the bookmarks or reinstall firefox then restore the bookmarks, this is my last idea :)

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You can increase the number of backups that are kept in the bookmarkbackups folder via a pref on the about:config page.

  • browser.bookmarks.max_backups

See also:


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Hi youssef8888, you might also want to search your entire C drive to see whether your bookmark backup files might be in an unexpected location. I would try this pattern:

bookmarks-2013*.*

To make sure your search checks for hidden files and folders, see this article from Microsoft: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/wi.../show-hidden-files.