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Can I use my profile from a Windows machine on an Ubunto 16.04 LTS machine

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I have three Windows machines and one Linux Ubuntu 16.04 LTS machine, which by the way runs W7 inside on an emulator. Is it possible to use the profile from my main computer in Ubuntu machine? I assume I can use it in the emulated W7 on that machine, it is W7. Thanks, Fred

I have three Windows machines and one Linux Ubuntu 16.04 LTS machine, which by the way runs W7 inside on an emulator. Is it possible to use the profile from my main computer in Ubuntu machine? I assume I can use it in the emulated W7 on that machine, it is W7. Thanks, Fred

Modified by Fred

All Replies (6)

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Different systems may use different formats as to file storage.

As to your problem, using Firefox sync can help.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-set-sync-my-computer Sync your bookmarks, history, passwords, add-ons and open tabs with another copy of Firefox. Learn how to set up Sync.

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I have yet to understand SYNC and nothing I have asked has ever been answered. It is one of those you have to understand it without any documentation.

I do know that it does not sync over Bookmark Folders, it just syncs over the link, which is about useless, IMO.

Let's see if anybody from Mozilla jumps in with an answer,

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Yes that would work, but don't use the prefs.js file in a different operating system without first verifying that there aren't any specific "path to" values for any preferences.

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Sync does "sync over" bookmarks folders. Over a few days of use on each device, all installations should equalize and become pretty much the same. The main difference with Sync as far as bookmarks are concerned is on "mobile" versions of Sync. On desktop and laptop Firefox installations Sync should make all installations almost identical; the only real differences would be with Recently Bookmarked bookmarks. And possibly the Bookmarks Toolbar folder, which if they are purposely different with the initial sync per device, they might stay that way. Sorry I have been unable to verify that in recent versions as I no longer have multiple devices to test Sync with. My other PC died about the time a change for "mobile" devices that was made and that may have affected "desktop", too.

But Sync is not 100% with extensions as they're not really synchronized. Sync installs extensions afresh and only those that are hosted at AMO. And the synchronization of preferences for complicated extensions can be a royal "pain"; there could be the need for the user to manually activate the synchronization per preference. Some extensions have hidden prefs (in about:config) that aren't documented well if at all. leaving the user a lot of digging and guessing to get sync to work completely for the particular extension.

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the-edmeister said

Yes that would work, but don't use the prefs.js file in a different operating system without first verifying that there aren't any specific "path to" values for any preferences.

I have almost exclusively "used" FF and seldom ever dug into the workings. Is this an example of what you referenced?

user_pref("media.webrtc.debug.aec_log_dir", "C:\\Users\\Fred\\AppData\\Local\\Temp");

Thanks, Fred

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fey42 said

Is this an example of what you referenced? user_pref("media.webrtc.debug.aec_log_dir", "C:\\Users\\Fred\\AppData\\Local\\Temp"); Thanks, Fred

Precisely what I am talking about. Linux would have trouble with that preference, as the file path that is used in Linux is entirely different.

Officially, Mozilla says not to use the prefs.js elsewhere, but if you edit out prefs such as that which affect cross-OS compatibility I don't think you would have a problem.