I refreshed Firefox and lost everything, settings, add ons, etc.
I've been trying to fix this since FRIDAY NIGHT. I had everything set up the way I wanted and did not know that "Refreshing" Firefox would wipe everything out. I listened to some *&^% IT guy who works for a Bank. I could not get in the Bank site, no matter what I and one of their online tech guys tried. Still can't.
But they wanted me to Refresh Firefox..thinking that would get into the Bank site and I lost everything. I've gone from insanely angry...to thoroughly depressed.
I have the old Firefox data folder. And I also followed the directions here :
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1136981
From user jscher2000. Pretty detailed..and it seemed like should work. After I did this nothing changed.
I really don't understand how this is supposed to work, restoring everything from before.
What I had before was bookmarks set up in the bookmarks toolbar. Sites I use, programs I use (including a password manager). All that is gone.
I followed the instructions from that Mozilla user.....and also have the old FF data folder...but at this point I'm totally lost as to how find, restore what I had before.
All Replies (3)
Refreshing Firefox {web link} is a LAST RESORT ! !
Refreshing Firefox -- easily fix most problems
If you're having problems with Firefox, refreshing it can help. The refresh feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks and open tabs. Everything else, like user settings and add-ons, are removed.
When you are ready, we can start moving parts of your old data and Copy it to the new profile.
First; open your file browser to the New profile;
Type about:support<enter> in the address bar.
Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.
Second, open another file browser to the Old profile.
Open another file browser to the Old Firefox folder on your desktop. Then open the folder with the latest date.
Warning ! ! Only Copy the files you are told. We will avoid anything that might cause problems. Here is the list of files;
cookies: cookies.sqlite Do not bother. Cookies will be created when you return to the website. However, you will have to log in everywhere. And you may lose any settings that websites store on your computer.
extensions(add-ons, themes): it would be better to download them fresh. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ key3.db and logins.json : These are the Password files. Copy Both !
persdict.dat : custom dictionary – words you added to the dictionary
mimeTypes.rdf : What to do with what type of file.
places.sqlite : History and Bookmarks.
prefs.js : Your settings. Note: If you were having problems, this could be contaminated.
cert8.db and possibly cert_override.txt : Stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Firefox. If removed, the cert8.db file will be replaced.
search.json.mozlz4 : file stores the user-installed search engines that are available in the Firefox v47+
search.sqlite file and searchplugins folder store the search engines that are available in the Firefox Search bar before Firefox v47 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Copy these files from the old to the new. You may get a message that the files already exist. Choose to over-write for each file.
Hi Fred
I appreciate your reply and remember seeing you in the original link I followed to fix this problem, right here :
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1136981
I used user jscher2000 instructions, right under your post on the link. I think what you're saying, your solution is basically the same.
Look ..this is the tough part. But these kind of things that you guys (and I mean you guys, where computer commands and steps like this come very natural ) are almost like a foreign language to me. So when I get in this type of "trouble" I usually talk to someone on the phone..or a computer friend/buddy helps me out. Your directions, steps I'm sure are wonderful...I just don't know if this is any different than what I just did. Or if I will screw it up or ..
I just want my stuff back like it was...without all online computer commands. The easiest way is on the phone. I don't want you to put your info here of course but I will gladly give you my number if we can arrange that. And you can block yours if you want.
I just want to do this on the phone instead of one excruciating step after another thing. And again....I believe I've already done this. But maybe I missed something.....or maybe I have do have everything back. But I don't know where it is...or how to get them back on the toolbar. That's the kind of help I need...
Modified by alexmontrose1
You can copy files like these with Firefox closed to the current profile folder to recover specific data.
- 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
See also: