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Why does Firefox store a backup session file on my desktop every time I restart my computer?

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I see a "session backup" icon on my desktop every time I restart my computer, but it does not respond to any attempt to run it.

I see a "session backup" icon on my desktop every time I restart my computer, but it does not respond to any attempt to run it.

Chosen solution

One of your crash reports shows you have an extension named Session Manager. That extension creates .session files, according to the documentation page (http://sessionmanager.mozdev.org/documentation.html). However, I don't think it's normal for them to appear on the desktop.

You could check its settings to see whether there is a way to direct the files to a particular folder. I do not use that extension myself, but its default keyboard shortcut is Ctrl+Shift+O or you may be able to find it on the classic Tools menu.

If necessary, you can check for an Options button for it on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then find Session Manager on the right side and check for an Options button. Any luck?

Speaking of the Add-ons page, it appears you have an obsolete ad blocker whose name refers to Firefox 11+. I suggest removing or disabling that one since you have the regular Adblock Plus already.

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All Replies (8)

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Hi

Can you see if there are any crash reports listed when you type about:crashes in the address bar?

If you can copy and paste (as a reply) any that start bp- we may be able to look into this further for you.

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Hi, Thanks.

There is a long list (about 50) of “submitted” crash reports going back to 2011, all starting with bp-. The most recent are about a month ago. This behavior (backup session file on my desktop) started several months ago. I’m assuming you don’t want them all. What would you like me to send? Entire file or just the designator? How many?

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To start a different line of discussion:

What kind of icon is "session backup"? If it is a shortcut (has the little arrow), could you right-click it and open Properties and check the Shortcut tab to see what it does? Usually it will execute or open whatever is listed in the Target field. If that does not make its purpose obvious, you could copy/paste that into a reply for comment.

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jay2nm said

There is a long list (about 50) of “submitted” crash reports going back to 2011, all starting with bp-. The most recent are about a month ago. This behavior (backup session file on my desktop) started several months ago.

Copy/pasting a half dozen crash report ID numbers from just the relevant period would be useful. If you've clicked through to any of those reports you'll realize that mere mortals (like us support volunteers) can only digest so many before needing a dinner break. ;-)

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bp-7d20e659-2707-4970-8295-e51c10170430 4/30/17 1:41 PM bp-aed0780f-31a2-4266-8255-2693b2170330 3/30/17 10:00 AM bp-ff8ba1ad-62f2-485b-8f51-33a982170330 3/30/17 10:00 AM bp-71a340f5-992e-479d-97e2-5f6af2160215 2/15/16 3:51 PM bp-61bb9104-5aab-48c5-ad31-444532151020 10/20/15 2:00 PM bp-1161f1bb-c7b3-410e-ad15-39fc22120716 7/16/12 1:26 PM

Hope this helps

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There is no icon, just a blank white page. There is no arrow. "Properties" says backup.session, type of file" SESSION file (.session), opens with: windows shell commor

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I should also mention that this occurs every time I close Firefox, not just when it crashes or when I restart my computer.

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Chosen Solution

One of your crash reports shows you have an extension named Session Manager. That extension creates .session files, according to the documentation page (http://sessionmanager.mozdev.org/documentation.html). However, I don't think it's normal for them to appear on the desktop.

You could check its settings to see whether there is a way to direct the files to a particular folder. I do not use that extension myself, but its default keyboard shortcut is Ctrl+Shift+O or you may be able to find it on the classic Tools menu.

If necessary, you can check for an Options button for it on the Add-ons page. Either:

  • Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
  • "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons

In the left column, click Extensions. Then find Session Manager on the right side and check for an Options button. Any luck?

Speaking of the Add-ons page, it appears you have an obsolete ad blocker whose name refers to Firefox 11+. I suggest removing or disabling that one since you have the regular Adblock Plus already.