I lost all my passwords from the previous version of Firefox when I upgraded to Firefox 4. I have all the files. Is there any way to import them into Firefox 4?
Typically, when I have upgraded a program, all of the bookmarks, passwords, etc. have transferred to the newest version but, for some reason that did not happen with Firefox 4. I still have all my preferences files as they were moved to the trash. Is there any way I can import them back into the new version of Firefox as it is very frustrating to have lost them.
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Bookmarks are stored in places.sqlite, and also as dated files in bookmarksbackups. The sign on passwords, I understand are kept as encrypted data and need matching files signons.sqlite and key3.db.
The bookmarksbackups files are .json files and may be used to restore your bookmarks library, but make manual backups of any existing bookmarks, as restoring bookmarks overwrites the existing files. (if you have .html files they may be appended, when imported)
If you manually replace the existing places.sqlite with a previous one that also restores bookmarks and history information, but copy any file being replaced somewhere safe, so that restoring it again remains an option.
Where might I find these files? I am on a Mac. Does that make a difference as to the files names as I cannot seem to locate the files as you have mentioned.
If you used the option to delete settings, or whatever it is worded when uninstalling, Firefox will remove all your important data information from profiles for all installed versions of Firefox, and you will then need luck and a file recovery utility to try to restore the information.
You mentioned files being moved to Trash, I was hoping you may still have the required original files. I use Windows XP, and I realise Macs use different locations for files, but I think the files have the same names.
See
- profiles
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Password_Manager
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Recovering_a_missing_profile
- lost bookmarks
Note the last article discusses problems when bookmarks are lost, and some of the possible reasons and solutions. Obviously I do not know what has actually happened in your case, and whether or not you used the delete option I initially mentioned.
Thank you! I will check it out in a bit. All I know is there are a bunch of Mozilla & Firefox Profiles it moved to the Trash when it installed Version 4 and I am just hoping that I can retreive things from one of them.
Are you using the Time Machine ?
I am. That said, I am not sure how to revert Firefox to where it was.
Advice would be greatly appreciated.
See this article about information on files in the Firefox profile folder:
Thank you SOOOOOO much! I followed the directions and everything is BACK! I was about to jump ship from Firefox & you saved me! thank you!!!