Lost bookmarks: Difference between revisions
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If you no longer see your bookmarks, they are not necessarily lost. This article outlines a few methods of retrieving "lost" bookmarks, and also deals with future prevention. | If you no longer see your bookmarks, they are not necessarily lost. This article outlines a few methods of retrieving "lost" bookmarks, and also deals with future prevention. (You can tell us the details of how you lost your bookmarks in [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=258366 this thread].) | ||
== Recovering lost bookmarks == | == Recovering lost bookmarks == | ||
=== | ===Multiple Profiles === | ||
Firefox and Mozilla Suite each store the bookmarks in the file "bookmarks.html" located in the user's [[Profile folder]]. Multiple profiles can exist and your "lost" bookmarks might be located in another profile. Start the Firefox or Mozilla Suite [[Profile Manager]] and if multiple profiles are listed, select another profile. If you receive a message that the profile is "in use" or if you are unable to start the original profile, read [[profile in use | this article]]. | |||
=== Recovery procedure if you haven't closed since losing bookmarks === | === Recovery procedure if you haven't closed since losing bookmarks === | ||
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* Do not power down your computer with Firefox/Mozilla Suite running. | * Do not power down your computer with Firefox/Mozilla Suite running. | ||
* Some "cleaner" programs like System Wiper wipe out Firefox bookmarks. Make sure you do backups before using these types of programs. | * Some "cleaner" programs like System Wiper wipe out Firefox bookmarks. Make sure you do backups before using these types of programs. | ||
* Backup your bookmarks. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=1252725#1252725 Many extensions exist that do this]. | * Backup your bookmarks. [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=1252725#1252725 Many extensions exist that do this]. | ||
'''Note''': Starting in Firefox 1.5, automatic bookmark backups are created and stored in the "bookmarkbackups" folder located inside the Profile folder. You can restore your bookmarks in Firefox 1.5 by renaming one of the bookmarks-(date).html backup files to "bookmarks.html" and replacing the current Profile folder copy with the renamed copy. | |||
[[Category:Bookmarks]] [[Category:Issues (Firefox)]] | [[Category:Bookmarks]] [[Category:Issues (Firefox)]] | ||
Revision as of 11:52, 16 November 2005
If you no longer see your bookmarks, they are not necessarily lost. This article outlines a few methods of retrieving "lost" bookmarks, and also deals with future prevention. (You can tell us the details of how you lost your bookmarks in this thread.)
Recovering lost bookmarks
Multiple Profiles
Firefox and Mozilla Suite each store the bookmarks in the file "bookmarks.html" located in the user's Profile folder. Multiple profiles can exist and your "lost" bookmarks might be located in another profile. Start the Firefox or Mozilla Suite Profile Manager and if multiple profiles are listed, select another profile. If you receive a message that the profile is "in use" or if you are unable to start the original profile, read this article.
Recovery procedure if you haven't closed since losing bookmarks
If you haven't closed Firefox/Mozilla Suite after you first noticed you lost your bookmarks, you may be able to recover them using this method. In your profile folder, look for files whose names start with "bookmarks" (they can have different extensions). The largest one or the one with the latest modified date. If you wish, you can open the file with Firefox/Mozilla Suite or any browser to make sure it's the right one. Do not completely close Firefox/Mozilla Suite yet. Copy the chosen file to a safe location (such as My Documents or the desktop on Windows XP) and rename it "bookmarks.html", if it isn't already. Now, close Firefox/Mozilla Suite and copy the file back into your profile folder, overwriting the existing bookmarks.html file. Restart Firefox/Mozilla Suite, and check your bookmarks.
Other methods of recovery
- Check the Recycle Bin/Trash for a file called bookmarks.html
- Run chkdsk (Windows 2000, XP) or scandisk (Windows 95, 98, ME) to see if they recover any files.
- Use a file undelete utility to see if you can recover the file. [1] [2]
Prevention
- Do not power down your computer with Firefox/Mozilla Suite running.
- Some "cleaner" programs like System Wiper wipe out Firefox bookmarks. Make sure you do backups before using these types of programs.
- Backup your bookmarks. Many extensions exist that do this.
Note: Starting in Firefox 1.5, automatic bookmark backups are created and stored in the "bookmarkbackups" folder located inside the Profile folder. You can restore your bookmarks in Firefox 1.5 by renaming one of the bookmarks-(date).html backup files to "bookmarks.html" and replacing the current Profile folder copy with the renamed copy.
