Update to FF39; lost bookmarks, passwords, saved tabs, and update history (so I cannot restore to a previous version)
I do not even know how it updated- I have FF set to only notify me and let me choose whether to update (might have been when Windows did all of its security updates following the Hacking Team leaks that exposed the security flaws in the OS?). I opened FF just a few minutes ago though and I have lost:
- Bookmarks - Passwords - Add-Ons and extensions (some of which I had paid for and, of course, cannot remember their names or...wait for it...passwords for their access or the email to which the recovery is sent because that email information was saved in FF) - Saved Tabs - And there is no update history so that I can revert to a previous version.
Am I up the creek without a paddle here? I don't update my passwords etc (I know, I know- tell me I should but I didn't so save it please).
Finally, what is with FF auto-updating when I specifically had it set (FOR THIS VERY REASON) not to?
All Replies (4)
Hello,
Firefox automatically creates backups of your bookmarks, which can be helpful if your bookmarks are lost or missing. To recover them, follow the instructions below.
- Use one of these methods to open the Bookmarks Library window:
- Firefox 29 and above: Click the Bookmarks button
and select Show All Bookmarks.
- Previous Firefox versions: Click the Firefox button and click on Bookmarks. (If you don't have a Firefox button, click the Bookmarks button
or Bookmarks menu item and select Show All Bookmarks.)
- Firefox 29 and above: Click the Bookmarks button
- At the top of the Library window, click on Import and Backup and select Restore.
- Click the date of the bookmark backup you want to recover.
- In the new window that appears, click OK.
- Your bookmarks from the selected date should now be restored.
For more information, see the Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer article. For other solutions, see the Recover lost or missing Bookmarks article.
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Thank you.
Could you check your desktop for an "Old Firefox Data" folder.
If you have that:
Please check inside for a semi-randomly-named folder and see whether it has recently modified files inside (e.g., places.sqlite, the database that stores your bookmarks and history).
If that is recent:
That folder is created by the Refresh feature, and while there is no built-in procedure to roll back a refresh, there are some manual steps to resurrect the data:
Overview
These are the steps described in more detail below:
- Create a new Firefox profile
- Remove everything from that new profile folder
- Copy in everything from the old profile folder
Create a new Firefox profile (Windows)
Exit Firefox and start up in the Profile Manager by pasting the following into the Start menu > search box (or Windows Run dialog), and pressing Enter:
firefox.exe -P
Note: Any time you want to switch profiles, exit Firefox and return to this dialog.
Click the Create Profile button, assign a name like OldSettings, and skip the option to change the folder location. Then select that new profile in the dialog and start Firefox.
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 any of these methods:
- "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, select all the contents and delete.
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 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?
If you do not have an Old Firefox Data folder, could you check for any additional profile folders in the default location. To access that, use the Start menu > Search box and paste the following and press Enter:
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
The folder that was most recently updated is the one you are currently using. Are there any other folders here with recently updated files? If so, we can suggest how to get Firefox to access them.
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 backup of files that you choose.
OPIE {web link} Import/Export extension preferences