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Lost my bookmarks after PC reinstallation and reclaiming account info

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Today I reinstalled my PC. I already used Firefox Sync, so assumed all my bookmarks would be safe. So, I did the following:

-Reinstall Windows (8.1) -After successful installation of Windows, I installed Firefox. I lost my account info (username/password), so I needed to recover/reset the password. So I did. No problem here. -After resetting the password, I logged in to Firefox Sync. I noticed all my bookmarks are gone

What happened?

Today I reinstalled my PC. I already used Firefox Sync, so assumed all my bookmarks would be safe. So, I did the following: -Reinstall Windows (8.1) -After successful installation of Windows, I installed Firefox. I lost my account info (username/password), so I needed to recover/reset the password. So I did. No problem here. -After resetting the password, I logged in to Firefox Sync. I noticed all my bookmarks are gone What happened?

Réiteach roghnaithe

Hi Homblom.

When you reset your Sync username and password, you delet all your data from Firefox Sync. As mentioned during the password reset process and in this help article as well, your data are encrypted using that password and cannot be restored when you reset the password.

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All Replies (4)

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Réiteach Roghnaithe

Hi Homblom.

When you reset your Sync username and password, you delet all your data from Firefox Sync. As mentioned during the password reset process and in this help article as well, your data are encrypted using that password and cannot be restored when you reset the password.

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Michal Stanke said

Hi Homblom. When you reset your Sync username and password, you delet all your data from Firefox Sync. As mentioned during the password reset process and in this help article as well, your data are encrypted using that password and cannot be restored when you reset the password.

Many thanks, now I at least understand the 'problem'.

I understand that security is important, but if this is the consequence of losing a password..

Anyway, I will really choose a password I can remember this time :)

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Sync is designed to synchronize your data between multiple devices, but not to backup any data. If you've any other device connected to your account, your bookmarks are still there. So you can link the device to your account again a and get your bookmarks back to your account and newly installed PC. :)

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If you have a "C:\Windows.old" folder with personal data from a previously installed Windows version then you can recover personal data from a previously used profile in this backup.

You can copy files like these to the current Firefox profile folder to recover specific data.

  • bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
  • bookmark backups: JSON backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
  • SQLite files like cookies.sqlite (cookies) and formhistory.sqlite (saved form data)
  • logins.json and key3.db (decryption key) for Passwords saved in the Password Manager
  • cert8.db and possibly cert_override.txt for (intermediate) certificates stored in the Certificate Manager
  • persdict.dat for words you added to the spelling checker dictionary
  • permissions.sqlite and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for Permissions and Site Preferences
  • sessionstore.js for open tabs and pinned tabs and tab groups