I personally use the Firefox Profile Manager to create a new profile if I need one for testing. That way I can easily switch back to one of the another profiles I have. If necessary then you can transfer some files to this profile or you can use Sync.

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recovering-important-data-from-an-old-profile
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data

You can copy certain files with Firefox closed to the current profile folder to transfer or recover personal data.

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data

Note that best is to avoid copying a full profile folder.

• bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
• favicons: favicons.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 (encrypted logins;32+) and key4.db (decryption key;58+) for logins saved in the Password Manager
  key3.db support ended in 73+; to use key3.db in 58-72, make sure to remove key4.db
  note that current releases also keep a logins-backup.json file
• cert9.db (58+) for (intermediate) certificates stored in the Certificate Manager
• persdict.dat for words added to the spell 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)

I have a problem with FireFox and it has been suggested I "refresh" it.

If you want help avoiding a Refresh, what is the problem you're having?

there seems to be little documentation on "how to put things back to the way they were if that doesn't fix the problem".

You also can use the "transplant" method (your source folder location is the Desktop instead of the Windows.old folder, but otherwise, steps are the same): https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1309593#answer-1360196

I am reluctant to do this as I have a lot of open tabs.

I thought Refresh kept your session history. However, since the setting to restore automatically is reset to default, you need to restore manually from the menu. Either:

• "3-bar" menu button > Restore Previous Session
• (menu bar) History > Restore Previous Session

jscher2000 The problem. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1315758#answer-1371607 In summary: Firefox now only has about a 5 minute life span. It just closes - no error (mostly) The thread I started is the entire story to date.

But back to this thread:

I have made a copy of the .mozilla/firefox/(something) directory and stuck it else where.

If I restart Firefox with this refresh and it makes no difference, is it just a case of copying back the files? With firefox closed.

Cor-el > Note that best is to avoid copying a full profile folder.

If Firefox is closed, why is it not a good idea? I am just backing them up so if "it hits the fan": I close Firefox, copy the files back and things should be back to what they were.

Or am I missing something?

I have made a copy of the .mozilla/firefox/(something) directory and stuck it else where. If I restart Firefox with this refresh and it makes no difference, is it just a case of copying back the files? With firefox closed.

What is "(something)"?

On Windows -- Linux could be different -- the Firefox folder has three (at least) items in it:

• Profiles folder (contains individual profile folders)
• profiles.ini file
• installs.ini file

If you drop a profile folder in here without that being reflected in the profiles.ini and installs.ini files, Firefox likely will ignore it.

Ubuntu. the "something" is a string like this:

(the entire path)

/home/me/.mozilla/firefox/3if3jzih.default

Okay, that's different. Is there still a profiles.ini file and installs.ini file in the Firefox folder which references that profile folder? If so, please save those along with it.

Yes. They are also backed up.