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I accidentally deleted cookie exceptions - how do I restore? (and why allowed without a dialogue box?)

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  • 2 have this problem
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  • Last reply by uponreview

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accidentally deleted via alt -e I prob have an older backup of settings but 1. can I recover in another manner that would be more current or if not , 2 is there an outline to recover only cookie exceptions from a backup copy Thanks

accidentally deleted via alt -e I prob have an older backup of settings but 1. can I recover in another manner that would be more current or if not , 2 is there an outline to recover only cookie exceptions from a backup copy Thanks

All Replies (5)

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I believe Firefox stores cookie exceptions in a database file named permissions.sqlite in your currently active profile folder. Do you think you might have a recent backup of that file?

To find the name of your active profile folder, it's probably easiest to open it from inside Firefox. You can use 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 the profile folder in Windows Explorer.


Windows 7 usually backs up this folder when it does its monthly Windows Updates (in a restore point). If you right-click permissions.sqlite > Properties > Previous Versions you can see whether Windows has saved it recently. If you want to experiment with restoring an old version, before doing that, please:

  • Exit Firefox completely and allow about 15 seconds to finish updating files
  • Make a backup copy of the current permissions.sqlite file somewhere safe (like Documents)
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Oops, not sure why I thought you had Windows 7. There might be a way to access individual files in restore points on Windows XP, too, but I don't think there was the handy Previous Versions tab back then. To avoid losing days or weeks of changes in your Firefox settings, you wouldn't want to do a full system restore.

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You would have to restore a backup copy of the permissions.sqlite file.

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thx for your help - you were right re the cookie exceptions file location, unfortunately I did not have a recent backup copy (backup most everything regularly but not firefox other than via a full sysrestore).

I am disappointed that firefox doesn't do a precautionary dialogue box before allowing deletion .... it's far to easy to hit the wrong key - incl rushing ahead to the intended alt-R for the subsequent option page - clear history. I've had the same problem with a calendar. Naturally in the end my fault but far too easy to rush thru and hit unintended key

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thx for your help - unfortunately I did not, as I initially thought, have a recent backup copy (backup most everything regularly but not firefox other than via a full sysrestore).

I am disappointed that firefox doesn't do a precautionary dialogue box before allowing deletion of something that is built over months or even longer