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How can I find/restore inadvertently deleted Bookmarks Folders, Bookmarks, and Bookmarks Toolbar Bookmarks?

  • 4 replies
  • 6 have this problem
  • 8 views
  • Last reply by SK

SK
SK
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Hello,

I have a long term, normally used instance of Firefox 19.0.2 (Windows 7).

I wanted a separate instance of Firefox. Using IE, I downloaded and saved a setup file of 19.0.2 into a specific folder, I installed it into that folder.

Upon opening it from that folder, it had the Bookmarks, etc. from the original instance. Stupidly, thinking it was a separate installation, I deleted the Bookmarks and Bookmarks from the Bookmarks Toolbar.

Is there any way to recover the Bookmarks? Where are the Bookmarks/Toolbar Bookmarks saved; and what is the file name? I have a good recovery program, Recuva, from CCleaner.

I have run a deep scan with it. There are some recoverable files. But, what am I looking for, and where/how do I insert them if recovered? Is there any hope (a gazillion folders and Bookmarks)?

Then, whether recovered or not, how do I create separate instances of Firefox, that do not share any files? I don’t mind if the add-ons/extensions, and scripts are duplicated, but I can do that separately.

Also, “firefox.exe –p”, which worked previously, now will not work. The error message is:

"Windows cannot find ‘firefox.exe’. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again."

Thanks,

Steve

Hello, I have a long term, normally used instance of Firefox 19.0.2 (Windows 7). I wanted a separate instance of Firefox. Using IE, I downloaded and saved a setup file of 19.0.2 into a specific folder, I installed it into that folder. Upon opening it from that folder, it had the Bookmarks, etc. from the original instance. Stupidly, thinking it was a separate installation, I deleted the Bookmarks and Bookmarks from the Bookmarks Toolbar. Is there any way to recover the Bookmarks? Where are the Bookmarks/Toolbar Bookmarks saved; and what is the file name? I have a good recovery program, Recuva, from CCleaner. I have run a deep scan with it. There are some recoverable files. But, what am I looking for, and where/how do I insert them if recovered? Is there any hope (a gazillion folders and Bookmarks)? Then, whether recovered or not, how do I create separate instances of Firefox, that do not share any files? I don’t mind if the add-ons/extensions, and scripts are duplicated, but I can do that separately. Also, “firefox.exe –p”, which worked previously, now will not work. The error message is: "Windows cannot find ‘firefox.exe’. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again." Thanks, Steve

All Replies (4)

cor-el
cor-el
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  • Top 10 Contributor
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You can try to recover the bookmarks from a JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.

SK
SK Question owner
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Wow, thanks very much, cor-el!! I didn't know that feature existed. The only thing I didn't see restored were the unsorted Bookmarks. However thy were among the least important. I got back 280 plus folders and their Bookmarks.

Now, what about the last/second question, pasted here:

Then, whether recovered or not, how do I create separate instances of Firefox, that do not share any files? I don’t mind if the add-ons/extensions, and scripts are duplicated, but I can do that separately.

Also, “firefox.exe –p”, which worked previously, now will not work. The error message is:

"Windows cannot find ‘firefox.exe’. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again."

Thanks again,

Steve

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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You only need to install Firefox once and use multiple profiles.

Create a new profile exclusively for each Firefox version if you install multiple different versions via a custom install. Create a desktop shortcut with -P "profile" appended to the target to launch each Firefox version with its own profile.

Use the full path to the Firefox.exe executable file if the file without it doesn't work (use the quotes around the path name).

  • (64 bit Windows) "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" –p
SK
SK Question owner
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Thanks, I will be getting back to you and hopefully clicking the solved button(s) early this coming week.

Steve