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

I am unable to reinstall Firefox. I would like to import my old bookmarks.

more options

I received a message asking me if my computer was running slow. It was. I was told I needed to refresh Firefox. I did. I then received the following message... Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible. I uninstalled Firefox and tried to reinstall it but I received the same message.

I am unable to reinstall Firefox and unable to retrieve by bookmarks. There is a folder on my desktop labeled Old Firefox Data.

Please help!

Thanks.

Denise

I received a message asking me if my computer was running slow. It was. I was told I needed to refresh Firefox. I did. I then received the following message... Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible. I uninstalled Firefox and tried to reinstall it but I received the same message. I am unable to reinstall Firefox and unable to retrieve by bookmarks. There is a folder on my desktop labeled Old Firefox Data. Please help! Thanks. Denise

Chosen solution

Hi Denise, I think there is a preparatory step you need to take before you can follow Fred's post, which is to create a new profile.

A new profile will have your system-installed plugins (e.g., Flash) and extensions (e.g., security suite toolbars), but no themes, other extensions, or other customizations. It also should have completely fresh settings databases and a fresh cache folder.

Start Firefox's Profile Manager using either the Run dialog (Windows key + R) or the system search box. Type or paste the following and press Enter:

firefox.exe -P

Don't delete anything here!

Any time you want to switch profiles, exit Firefox and return to this dialog.

Click the Create Profile button, assign a name like OldSettings, and skip the option to relocate the profile folder. After creating the profile, select it and start Firefox in that profile.

To open the folder for this profile in a Windows Explorer window to replaces its contents, you can use the support information page. Either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table on the page, click the "Show Folder" button. This should launch a new window listing various files and folders in Windows Explorer.

Leaving that window open, switch back to Firefox and Exit, either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "power" button
  • (menu bar) File > Exit

Pause while Firefox finishes its cleanup, then the Windows Explorer window for "OldSettings" -- what Fred is calling New profile -- should be front and center.

Hope this helps.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (5)

more options

To recover them, follow the instructions below.

Use one of these methods to open the Bookmarks Library window:

  • Click the Firefox button to open the menu and click on Bookmarks.
  • Click the Bookmarks menu and click on Show All Bookmarks.
  • At the top of the Library window, click the "Import and Backup" menu and select Restore.
  • Click the date of the bookmark backup you want to recover.
  • In the new window that appears, click OK.

through this process you will be able to restore.

more options

When you are ready, we can start moving parts of your old data and Copy it to the new profile.


First; open your file browser to the New profile;

Type about:support in the address bar and press enter.

Under the page logo on the left side you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.


Second, open the file browser to the Old profile. You should see it on the directory "tree" in the first file browser. Right click on that folder and select Open In New Window.

Warning ! ! Only Copy the files you are told. We will avoid anything that might be the cause of your problems. Here is the list of files;

cookies: Do not bother. Cookies will be created when you return to the website. However, you will have to log in everywhere.

extensions(add-ons): it would be better to download them fresh. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ key3.db and logins.json : These are the Password files. Copy Both !

persdict.dat : custom dictionary – words you added to the dictionary

mimeTypes.rdf : What to do with what type of file.

places.sqlite : History and Bookmarks.

prefs.js : Your settings. Note, this may be contaminated.

cert8.db and possibly cert_override.txt : Stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Firefox. If removed, the file will be replaced. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Copy these files from the old to the new. You will get a message about the files already exist. Choose to over-write for each file.

more options

Sorry, wrong instruction on step two;

Using your file browser, open the Old Firefox folder on your desktop. Then open the folder with the latest date.

more options

I need someone to walk me through these instructions.

more options

Chosen Solution

Hi Denise, I think there is a preparatory step you need to take before you can follow Fred's post, which is to create a new profile.

A new profile will have your system-installed plugins (e.g., Flash) and extensions (e.g., security suite toolbars), but no themes, other extensions, or other customizations. It also should have completely fresh settings databases and a fresh cache folder.

Start Firefox's Profile Manager using either the Run dialog (Windows key + R) or the system search box. Type or paste the following and press Enter:

firefox.exe -P

Don't delete anything here!

Any time you want to switch profiles, exit Firefox and return to this dialog.

Click the Create Profile button, assign a name like OldSettings, and skip the option to relocate the profile folder. After creating the profile, select it and start Firefox in that profile.

To open the folder for this profile in a Windows Explorer window to replaces its contents, you can use the support information page. Either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
  • (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table on the page, click the "Show Folder" button. This should launch a new window listing various files and folders in Windows Explorer.

Leaving that window open, switch back to Firefox and Exit, either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "power" button
  • (menu bar) File > Exit

Pause while Firefox finishes its cleanup, then the Windows Explorer window for "OldSettings" -- what Fred is calling New profile -- should be front and center.

Hope this helps.