https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer

Bookmarks are stored in one file named places.sqlite, in your Profile folder. Use Help > Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Folder --> Show Folder to open your Profile folder.

Note that your System Details List shows that you have a user.js file in the profile folder to initialize some prefs on each start of Firefox.

The user.js file is only present if you or other software has created it, so normally it wouldn't be there. You should check its content with a plain text editor if you didn't create this file yourself.

The user.js file is read each time you start Firefox and initializes preferences to the value specified in this file, so preferences set via user.js can only be changed temporarily for the current session.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved

Firefox stores the bookmarks and the browsing history in a SQLite database file named places.sqlite.
There are 10 rotating daily JSON backups (bookmarks-####-##-##.json) in the bookmarkbackups folder within the Firefox profile folder, one for each day that Firefox is started.

See also:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Backing_up_and_restoring_bookmarks_-_Firefox

Hi moderator

I must apologise that I am not that good on computers, and I found your two answers quite difficult to follow. I would appreciate simpler step by step answers. Thanks.

My Vista computer had a hard disk crash, so installed a new HD and upgraded to Win 7 just about 3 weeks ago.

So first things first:

>>Bookmarks are stored in one file named places.sqlite, in your Profile folder.<<

Went to it but the folder is called 1qtdwjmc.default. Is this OK?

The folder seen is "bookmarkbackups". There are 10 files in there of the .json type. Tried to open them and the windows folder says "windows cannot open this file". Don't know what to do next.

>>Note that your System Details List shows that you have a user.js file in the profile folder to initialize some prefs on each start of Firefox."

"The user.js file is only present if you or other software has created it, so normally it wouldn't be there. You should check its content with a plain text editor if you didn't create this file yourself.<<

I am not aware of this file. My PC is a fresh upgrade just about 3 weeks ago. Please tell me what to do.

Thanks

You can restore a JSON backup in the Firefox Bookmarks Manager (Library; Show All Bookmarks). Windows doesn't know how to open this file, so do not try to open this file via a double-click in Windows Explorer.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Backing_up_and_restoring_bookmarks_-_Firefox

Note that restoring a JSON backup will replace all current bookmarks.

Hi

Sorry but I can't follow. Too difficult for me.

Can someone pls assist me with simple step by step instructions.

Thanks

Did you manage to open the Bookmarks Manager window also called the Library (it manages history and downloads as well)?

• Orange Firefox menu button > Bookmarks > Show All Bookmarks

Or in case the menu bar (File, Edit, View, etc.) is visible via Bookmarks > Show All Bookmarks

BenStevenson asks a simple question. He lost his hard drive - all files. So he had to start over from scratch. (i.e. he didn't have the profile directory or any of the files you describe to restore from)

Now he wants to know HOW he can back up his bookmarks onto other media, so he will never again have to start them over from scratch.

The reason the Moderator is asking if you could open your bookmarks page, is so you can back them up. I'm sure you can. Open your bookmarks library, choose Export to HTML. Ignore the part about internet explorer, just export your stuff to a file where you can find it and name it something like mybookmarksYYMMDD.html. You will then have a portable record that can be imported into any browser without damaging existing bookmarks.

Click on Firefox Logo at Top Left Hover Cursor over History Select Show All History from Popup Menu Select Import & Export Click Export Bookmarks to HTML Enter a Name for Bookmarks Click Yes