Sending laptop in for warranty, question about backing up Firefox
Hello,
I have an Acer laptop that I'm about to send in for a warranty repair for several different issues. I was told by Acer that it will likely be reset/reformatted upon arrival. Also, I was informed that the laptop may be replaced with a completely different unit at their discretion.
I would like to obviously keep all of my Firefox info, history, bookmarks, etc. and be able to restore them to the computer when it is returned to me, be it the same laptop or a new one.
Can someone please instruct me on the proper way to do this?
Is it as simple as copying my Profile folder to another drive, and then reinstalling it after I reinstall Firefox back on the laptop (be it my original one or a new one) when it has been returned to me?
Do I need to use the Profile Manager?
I bought a used Lenovo to use while my Acer is in for repairs. Today, I think that I successfully synced the two of them. (I have a Windows phone and thus no Firefox app for my phone, and could not enter a phone number to "complete" the sync as instructed) but it seems to have worked.
Will the bookmarks, history, tabs, etc from my Acer disappear from showing up on the Lenovo when the Acer laptop is reset by the factory?
(Or should I even delete Firefox from that Acer that I am sending in just out of privacy/security concerns?)
Thank to any and all who can assist me with doing this correctly. I apologize for any ignorance on my part, I've just never had to send in a unit for repair before.
Thanks, Chris
Isisombululo esikhethiwe
Hi Chris, I think it's a good idea to disconnect this installation of Firefox from Sync after you complete your backup and before clearing any data. You can do that on the Options page, Firefox Account section.
If you don't want service techs to have access to history or recent tabs, you could use the "Clear Recent History" feature with a date range of Everything to flush it. And if you save logins in Firefox's password manager, you might want to delete the logins.json data file from your profile folder.
Any data deletions should be (A) after backup and (B) after disconnecting from Sync.
Ref:
- Delete browsing, search and download history on Firefox
- Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data
All Replies (7)
You should make sure all of your important data is backed up.
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.
Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder
Linux: Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Directory. To its right press the button Open Directory.
Now Close Firefox. This is your current profile. Copy the folder As Is to a folder on a thumb drive. Then Copy the folder to the new system.
deleted - sorry I provided incorrect information
Okulungisiwe ngu the-edmeister
Awesome info, thank you for taking the time to reply FredMcD and Edmeister.
After copying the folder, should I uninstall firefox from the Acer before sending it in for security purposes?
I was wondering how the Sync feature effects this situation? While I am using the Lenonvo and Acer has my other laptop, if Firefox is still on there, will it continue to Sync from my current use on the Lenovo?
If I leave Firefox on the Acer and they reset it, will the Sync information from that laptop disappear from the Lenovo?
Thanks again for taking the time and effort to reply, it's extremely helpful. Chris
There is no reason to remove any program.
As for sync, it is meant to share selected data with other profiles. Warning: Sync is not a backup service.
Isisombululo Esikhethiwe
Hi Chris, I think it's a good idea to disconnect this installation of Firefox from Sync after you complete your backup and before clearing any data. You can do that on the Options page, Firefox Account section.
If you don't want service techs to have access to history or recent tabs, you could use the "Clear Recent History" feature with a date range of Everything to flush it. And if you save logins in Firefox's password manager, you might want to delete the logins.json data file from your profile folder.
Any data deletions should be (A) after backup and (B) after disconnecting from Sync.
Ref:
Once again , extremely helpful info, thank you so much Jscher2000 and FredMcD. I really do appreciate you and everyone else taking the time to answer. Chris
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