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This article explains what to do if you see the error message "The bookmarks and history system will not be functional because one of Firefox's files is in use by another application" when you start Firefox.

{for fx3} {note}'''This article applies to Firefox 3.5 and above. If you are having problems with your bookmarks in Firefox 3.0.x, see [[Bookmarks and toolbar buttons not working after upgrading]] for a solution.'''{/note} {/for} '''Do you see this error message when you start Firefox?''' {warning}The bookmarks and history system will not be functional because one of Firefox's files is in use by another application. Some security software can cause this problem{/warning} That happens when the file (named {filepath places.sqlite}) that stores your bookmarks and browsing history can’t be accessed by Firefox. This article covers two possible solutions. '''If you don't see the error above, then you should try one of these articles instead:''' *[[Bookmarks and toolbar buttons not working after upgrading]] *[[Lost Bookmarks]] *[[Bookmarks not saved]] *[[Back and forward or other toolbar items are missing]] __TOC__ = Solution 1: Restart your computer = The most common causes of this error are another program using the file or a problem with the file that was caused when the computer was shut off unexpectedly (like a power failure). The good news is that most of the time, simply restarting your computer and then restarting Firefox is the fix for both problems. = Solution 2: Create a new places database = If restarting your computer doesn’t take care of things, you can fix this by having Firefox create a new places database for you. Don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it sounds. == Part 1 – Open your profile folder == {for fx35} * '''(Firefox 3.0 and 3.5)''': See [[Profiles#w_how-to-find-your-profile|How to find your profile]]. * '''(Firefox 3.6)''': *#{for win,linux}At the top of the Firefox window{/for}{for mac}On the menu bar{/for}, click on the {menu Help} menu and select {menu Troubleshooting Information}. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open. *# Under '''Application Basics''', click on {button {for win,linux}Open Containing Folder{/for}{for mac}Show in Finder{/for}}. {/for} {for fx4} #{for win,linux}At the top of the Firefox window{/for}{for mac}On the menu bar{/for}, click on the {for mac,linux}{menu Help} menu{/for}{for win}{menu Firefox} menu and go over to the {menu Help} menu (on Windows XP, click on the {menu Help} menu){/for} and select {menu Troubleshooting Information}.{/for} The Troubleshooting Information tab will open. # Under the '''Application Basics''' section, click on {button {for win,linux}Open Containing Folder{/for}{for mac}Show in Finder{/for}}. {/for} Leave the Profile folder open – go on to Part 2. == Part 2 – Create the database == #[[T:closeFirefox]] Wait until Firefox has completely quit. # In the Firefox profile folder, find and rename the files '''places.sqlite''' and '''places.sqlite-journal''' (if it exists). #* To rename a file, {for win,linux}right-click on it and select rename from the menu{/for}{for mac}click on it once to select it and then click a second time on the file name to make it editable{/for}. Then add .old to the end of its name. # Finally, reopen Firefox. #* When Firefox reopens it will create a new places database. Your browsing history will be lost but Firefox will automatically import your bookmarks from the most recent backup file. #* If your bookmarks weren’t restored after creating a new places database, try the steps in the [[Lost Bookmarks]] article. = Help! This didn’t fix the problem. = This problem has symptoms that are similar to a number of other problems. Maybe one of these articles better describes your problem. *[[Bookmarks and toolbar buttons not working after upgrading]] *[[Lost Bookmarks]] *[[Bookmarks not saved]] *[[Back and forward or other toolbar items are missing]]