Why did you refresh Firefox?

Refresh Firefox {web link} is a LAST RESORT ! !

Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings

If you're having problems with Firefox, refreshing it can help. The refresh feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, and open tabs.

Look on your desktop. Do you see a folder called; Old Firefox?

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recovering-important-data-from-an-old-profile

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles

There is a warning about that when you use Refresh, but right now, you just need to roll up your sleeves and...

Check your Windows Desktop for a folder named Old Firefox Data

Refresh moves your old profile folder here. Check inside for a folder with a semi-randomized name. If there's only one, that probably has your recent settings and add-ons. If there's more than one, you'll want to work with the one that was updated most recently.

Once you have identified the profile folder you want to restore, here is my suggested "old profile resurrection procedure":

Overview

These are the steps described in more detail below:

1. Create a new Firefox profile (Firefox 47+)
2. Remove everything from that new profile folder
3. Copy in everything from the old profile folder

Create a new Firefox profile (Windows)

In Firefox, type or paste about:profiles in the address bar and press Enter/Return to load that page.

Click the "Create New Profile" button and assign a name like OldSettings. Ignore the button for changing the folder location and click Finish.

Next, scroll down and below the Profile: OldSettings box, click the "Set as default profile" button.

Then scroll back to the top of the page and click the "Restart normally" button. This should exit Firefox and start Firefox up in that new profile.

Open the New Profile folder in Windows Explorer

Firefox in the new profile should look like a factory fresh installation. Open the Troubleshooting Information page using either:

• "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
• Help menu > Troubleshooting Information
• type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table, click the "Show Folder" button. Firefox will launch your brand new profile folder in Windows Explorer.

Leaving that folder open, switch back to Firefox, and Exit using either:

• "3-bar" menu button > "power" button
• (menu bar) File > Exit

When Firefox closes, the profile folder should be front and center, or you can activate it using the Task bar.

Copy Old Data in Place of New

In that new profile folder you just popped open -- NOT the one on your desktop -- select all the contents (you can use Ctrl+a) and delete (you can press the Delete key on the keyboard).

Leaving that window open, open or switch over to your Old Firefox Data folder. Drill down into your old profile folder. At this level you should see a folder named bookmarkbackups among many other things.

Select everything (Ctrl+a) and Copy (either right-click > Copy or Ctrl+c).

Switch to the empty new profile folder in other window and Paste (either right-click > Paste or Ctrl+v). This may take a minute since some of the files are large.

Start Firefox

Firefox should start up in that "new" profile with the resurrected old profile data. Success?

FredMcD said

Why did you refresh Firefox?

I used refresh Firefox because when I went to use a very common tool I frequent known as Zotero it just didn't work. Firefox or Zotero automatically redirected me to the Firefox screen to refresh Firefox.

I very foolishly trusted Firefox not to crush me like it did. But alas my databases are gone. I have my passwords, bookmarks and history. But most addons were crushed.

I have successfully restored them myself to about 75% of where they were, however I am EXTREMELY disappointed with Firefox and their level of 'trust' now with addons.

Older very useful addons gone ... unattainable now. This is beyond frustrating. But I am not willing to strip this down and go for a complete recycle of everything again as suggested in the next answer. (Though Highly appreciated)

I have just come too far on this rebuild now.

jscher2000 said

There is a warning about that when you use Refresh, but right now, you just need to roll up your sleeves and...

jscher2000 - excellent answer, sadly I have done about a 75% rebuild of what I had. Please read what I wrote to FredMcD .

Had I not gone as far as I had I would have attempted your suggestion. I am sure it would have worked. It sounds reasonable and I have done such 'surgery' before.

If my build is not where I want it in the next hour I will be doing what you have suggested, I just hate the thought of "what if" when messing with configurations when I am so close ....

Thank you so much for your time and very well written answer though. It may be of use yet. (keep your fingers crossed)

Your old add-ons should be in the Old Firefox folder profile.

These can't get your data back, but will help in the future.

These add-ons can be a great help by backing up and restoring Firefox

FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) {web link} FEBE allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions, history, passwords, and more. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up -- It will actually rebuild your saved files individually into installable .xpi files. It will also make backups of files that you choose.

OPIE {web link} Import/Export extension preferences

FredMcD said

Your old add-ons should be in the Old Firefox folder profile.

Good to know. I have retained the folder and stashed it away in a separate drive at the moment. I am sure others may stumble across this thread and will be comforted in knowing this as well.

Look for XPI files.

Hardly any XPI files mostly JSON?