When you use the refresh feature in Firefox then a new profile is created and some personal data (bookmarks and history, form data, tabs) is automatically imported. The current profile folder will be moved to an "Old Firefox Data" folder on the desktop. Installed extensions and other customizations (toolbars, prefs) that you have made are lost and need to be redone.

It is possible to recover data from the "Old Firefox Data" folder on the desktop, but be cautious not to copy corrupted files to avoid carrying over problems.

You can copy files like these with Firefox closed to the current profile folder to recover specific data. Note that you should be cautious with copying SQLite database files if you previously had problems.

• bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
• bookmark backups: compressed .jsonlz4 backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
• cookies.sqlite for the cookies
• formhistory.sqlite for 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 for Permissions and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for other Site Preferences
• sessionstore.js for open tabs and pinned tabs

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

• Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Directory:
  Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

Where would I find the current profile folder?

I don't need much, just the bookmarks. I don't save other stuff. In the Old Firefox Data folder on my desktop there's a folder called bookmarkbackups that contains a file:

bookmarks-2017-08-19_82_Iiw1gpeQqWvvN+BMEcAkYQ==.jsonlz4

Is that what I'm looking for? If so, how do I copy it?

You can find how to go to the current profile folder at the bottom of my above reply.

You can either use the about:profiles page or the about:support (Help -> Troubleshooting Information) page.

greenbox912 said

In the Old Firefox Data folder on my desktop there's a folder called bookmarkbackups that contains a file:

bookmarks-2017-08-19_82_Iiw1gpeQqWvvN+BMEcAkYQ==.jsonlz4

Is that what I'm looking for? If so, how do I copy it?

Firefox was supposed to migrate the contents of your bookmarks to your new profile. Could you double-check using the Library window? Either:

• Ctrl+Shift+b
• Bookmarks menu or button > Show All Bookmarks

The left column usually shows three categories under All Bookmarks: Bookmarks Toolbar, Bookmarks Menu, and Other Bookmarks. If you click each of those in turn and check on the right side, do you only have the few bookmarks that come with Firefox or can you see your bookmarks there?

If you see your bookmarks in the Library:

Maybe the problem is that your Menu Bar and/or Bookmarks Toolbar are not displaying? To turn different bars on and off, you can use one of these methods to show the toolbar list and select the desired bars there:

• right-click (on Mac Ctrl+click) a blank spot on the tab bar (or the "+" button)
• (menu bar) View > Toolbars
  On Windows, tap the Alt key to activate the menu bar temporarily.
• in Customize mode > Show/Hide Toolbars (see: Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars)

To turn on the Bookmarks Toolbar, Menu Bar, or other bars, click it on the list.

If the bookmarks are completely missing:

You can try using the Restore feature, which is also found in the Library window. The following article lays out the steps. You'll need to click "Choose File" and then point Firefox to the Desktop, into Old Firefox Data, and down into your old bookmarkbackups folder to access the backup file.

Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer

Success?

That did it. Thanks a zillion!!!