Profile Manager: Difference between revisions

From MozillaZine Knowledge Base
Jump to navigationJump to search
mNo edit summary
(→‎Profile Manager shortcut: updated link to web.archive)
(18 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
Mozilla applications store your personal settings, added extensions and themes, and user data such as bookmarks, passwords, cookies and mail in a "[[profile folder |profile]]". The Profile Manager allows you create and manage profiles.  A new profile is useful for troubleshooting since it allows the application to run without extensions, themes, or customized settings.  If you have multiple profiles you can use the Profile Manager to switch profiles.
Mozilla applications store your personal settings, added extensions and themes, and user data such as bookmarks, passwords, cookies and mail in a "[[profile folder |profile]]". The Profile Manager allows you create and manage profiles.  A new profile is useful for troubleshooting since it allows the application to run without extensions, themes, or customized settings.  If you have multiple profiles you can use the Profile Manager to switch profiles.
<!--commented out - see discussion
:{| {{prettytable}}
|-
|'''''WARNING: The built-in PROFILE MANAGER user interface was REMOVED from Firefox and possibly other Mozilla applications.'''  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=10275581#p10275581]  [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=214675]  A standalone "Profile Manager" application is now available as a separate [http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/utilities/profilemanager/ download].  [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=539524]  "Profile Manager 1.0 Beta 1" is described [http://jagriffin.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/profilemanager-1-0_beta1 here]. For more information, see  [http://www.ghacks.net/2011/01/19/firefox-profile-manager-to-be-removed-soon/ this blog post] and [https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Profile_Manager this article at MDC].
|-
|}-->


====Warning====
====Warning====
Line 5: Line 12:


==Accessing the Profile Manager==
==Accessing the Profile Manager==
* Mozilla Suite and SeaMonkey users can access the Profile Manager from an open program window by selecting  "Tools -> Switch Profile..." from the menu.   
* SeaMonkey (or Mozilla Suite) users can access the Profile Manager from an open program window by selecting  "Tools -> Switch Profile..." from the menu
 
* You can use the <code>-profilemanager</code> [[command line arguments | command line argument]] when starting the application, as specified below.  A capitalized <code>-P</code> in place of  <code>-profilemanager</code> should also work.   


* You can use the <code>-profilemanager</code> [[command line arguments | command line argument]] when starting the application, as specified below.  A capitalized <code>-P</code> in place of  <code>-profilemanager</code> should also work.  '''Caution:''' <u>Do not</u> use <code>-profile manager</code> (do not add a space), as an "[[Profile in use| already running but is not responding]]" error can result.  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=504746]   
'''Caution:''' <u>Do not</u> use ''-profile manager'' (do not add a space). This previously caused a "[[Profile in use| already running but is not responding]]" error.  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=504746]  Currently, due to the fix for [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=531532 bug 531532], the command line argument <code>-profile <path></code> will create a new profile folder at <code><path></code>  (if it doesn't already exist)  and launches the application with a profile that isn't listed in the Profile Manager.  (For example,  if you run ''firefox.exe -profile manager'' on Windows 7,  then Firefox will launch with a new profile and a folder named "manager" will be created in the ''C:\Users\<username>'' directory.)


===Windows===
===Windows===
Close the application and [[Kill application | make sure that it is not running in the background]].   
Close the application and [[Kill application | make sure that it is not running in the background]].   


''Thunderbird'', ''Mozilla Suite'' or ''SeaMonkey'':  Use the "Profile Manager" shortcut located in the Start -> Programs Menu (if available) or use the instructions below, substituting <code>thunderbird.exe</code> <code>mozilla.exe</code> or <code>seamonkey.exe</code>  in place of <code>firefox.exe</code>.
''SeaMonkey'' or ''Mozilla Suite'':  As an alternative to using "Tools -> Switch Profile..." menu option (e.g., if SeaMonkey is not open) you can use the "Profile Manager" shortcut located in the Windows Start -> Programs menu (if available).  You can also use the instructions given below for Firefox, substituting <code>seamonkey.exe</code> ( for Mozilla Suite, <code>mozilla.exe</code>) or the full path to the executable.  For example, enter the following in the Windows Run box  (you should substitute the actual path to the [[installation directory]]):
*<code>"C:\Program Files\SeaMonkey\seamonkey.exe" -P </code>
 
''Thunderbird'': Use the "Profile Manager" shortcut located in the Windows Start -> Programs menu (if available). You can also use the Firefox instructions given below for entering the full path to the [[installation directory]].  For example, enter the following in the Windows Run box (you should substitute the actual path):
*<code>"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe" -P </code>


''Firefox'':  See [[Creating a new Firefox profile on Windows]] for a step by step guide with screenshots, or follow these instructions:
''Firefox'':  See [[Creating a new Firefox profile on Windows]] for a step by step guide with screenshots, or follow these instructions:
Line 20: Line 33:
*<code>firefox.exe -P</code>
*<code>firefox.exe -P</code>


For a zip install, if you have multiple installations of Firefox, Thunderbird or SeaMonkey,  or if the above instructions do not work, include the full path to the executable surrounded by quotation marks in the "Run" (or Vista "Start Search") box,  as in this Firefox example:
For a zip install, if you have multiple installations (e.g.two different Firefox versions) or if the above instructions do not work, use the full path to the executable (.exe file) surrounded by quotation marks in the "Run" (or Vista "Start Search") box,  as in these examples (the second example is for 64-bit Windows):
*<code>"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -profilemanager</code>
*<code>"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P</code>
*<code>"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P</code>
Note that the above examples are default [[installation directory]] locations.  You can also find the executable file location by right-clicking  the desktop (or Start  menu) icon for your Mozilla program, selecting "Properties", going to the "Shortcut" tab, and then copying the "Target" location, as shown in [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Image:FXshortcut.png this Firefox screenshot] (from the [[Shortcut to a specific profile]] article).


===Linux===
===Linux===
Line 45: Line 60:
==Creating a new profile==   
==Creating a new profile==   


{{Right-pic|Profilemanager1.png}} Once you've accessed the Profile Manager as described above, click on "Create Profile" and follow the instructions. Mozilla Suite users may have to click on "Manage Profiles..." first.  Enter a descriptive name for the new profile and click the Finish button.  Before starting with a selected profile, uncheck the "Don't ask at startup" option if you want the Profile Manager to appear each time you open the program; otherwise, the selected profile will automatically start each time.   
{{Right-pic|FxProfileMgr.png}} Once you've accessed the Profile Manager as described above, click on "Create Profile" and follow the instructions. Mozilla Suite/SeaMonkey users may have to click on "Manage Profiles..." first.  Enter a descriptive name for the new profile and click the Finish button.  Before starting with a selected profile, uncheck the "Don't ask at startup" option if you want the Profile Manager to appear each time you open the program; otherwise, the selected profile will automatically start each time.   


A new [[profile folder]] will be created in the default folder location. If you created the new profile because your old one was corrupt, you can [[import bookmarks]] and selectively [[Transferring data to a new profile | transfer your other data]] to the new profile.   
A new [[profile folder]] will be created in the default folder location. If you created the new profile because your old one was corrupt, you can [[import bookmarks]] and selectively [[Transferring data to a new profile | transfer your other data]] to the new profile.   
'''Note''': If you use  [http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/computer-security.htm ZoneAlarm] Extreme Security  or ZoneAlarm ForceField, the "Browser Security" option to run your browser in virtualization mode, if selected,  can prevent new Firefox profiles from being saved.  Turn off the virtual browsing feature, if you use one of these ZoneAlarm products.  [http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=10199171#p10199171]


===Custom profile location===
===Custom profile location===
Line 78: Line 95:


==Profile Manager shortcut==
==Profile Manager shortcut==
''These instructions are for Windows.  For Mac OS, see [http://web.archive.org/web/20140910053922/http://weblogs.mozillazine.org/asa/archives/2008/08/shortcut_to_lau.html shortcut to launch a specific firefox profile on mac]''
In some Windows installs, a "Profile Manager" shortcut is placed on the Start menu programs list. For easier access to the Profile Manager, you can also create your own shortcut and place it on your desktop or in another convenient location.
In some Windows installs, a "Profile Manager" shortcut is placed on the Start menu programs list. For easier access to the Profile Manager, you can also create your own shortcut and place it on your desktop or in another convenient location.


Line 98: Line 117:
==Profile in use==
==Profile in use==
If the Profile Manager tells you that the profile is already in use, or if you attempt to start your Mozilla application and see a message that the application ''is already running but is not responding'',  this means the profile is locked.  See [[Profile in use]] for details.
If the Profile Manager tells you that the profile is already in use, or if you attempt to start your Mozilla application and see a message that the application ''is already running but is not responding'',  this means the profile is locked.  See [[Profile in use]] for details.
==Profile missing after using Migration Assistant - Mac OS==
If you use Apple's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migration_Assistant_%28Apple%29 Migration Assistant] to transfer all of your files, programs, and settings to a new Mac computer and you see a "Profile Missing"  dialog box which says: ''Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible.'' when attempting to start Firefox or the Profile Manager,  see [[Profile missing after using Migration Assistant on Mac OS]] for a possible solution.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 105: Line 127:
* [[Creating a new default profile]]
* [[Creating a new default profile]]
* [[Opening a new instance of your Mozilla application with another profile]]
* [[Opening a new instance of your Mozilla application with another profile]]
* [[Profile cannot be loaded]]
* [[Starting your Mozilla application with a specified profile]]
* [[Starting your Mozilla application with a specified profile]]
* [[Using multiple profiles - Firefox]]
* [[Using multiple profiles - Firefox]]
Line 112: Line 135:
* [http://mozilla.org/support/thunderbird/profile Thunderbird Help: How to Manage Profiles] at mozilla.org
* [http://mozilla.org/support/thunderbird/profile Thunderbird Help: How to Manage Profiles] at mozilla.org
* [http://www.mozilla.org/docs/command-line-args.html Mozilla's Command Line Options] at mozilla.org
* [http://www.mozilla.org/docs/command-line-args.html Mozilla's Command Line Options] at mozilla.org
* The [https://nic-nac-project.org/~kaosmos/index-en.html#profname Profile switcher] extension lets you switch profiles within Thunderbird or Firefox.
* The [https://freeshell.de//~kaosmos/profileswitcher-en.html Profile switcher] extension lets you switch profiles within Thunderbird or Firefox. [https://addons.mozilla.org/thunderbird/addon/profileswitcher/  Thunderbird AMO  link] - [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/profileswitcher/ Firefox AMO link] 
 
* [http://userstyles.org/styles/9514 Color Toolbar(s) to identify profile] user style
* [http://userstyles.org/styles/9514 Color Toolbar(s) to identify profile] user style
* [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/545 Open Profile Folder] extension
* [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/545 Open Profile Folder] extension
* [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Auto-tools/Projects/ProfileManager Auto-tools/Projects/ProfileManager] at wiki.mozilla.org
* [https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Profile_Manager Profile Manager - MDC Doc Center]


===Related bug reports===
===Related bug reports===
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=214675 Bug 214675 -  Remove Profile Manager UI] (ASSIGNED)
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=214675 Bug 214675 -  Remove Profile Manager UI]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=302087 Bug 302087 -  Inadequate warning before Profile Manager deletes non-Mozilla files]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=302087 Bug 302087 -  Inadequate warning before Profile Manager deletes non-Mozilla files]
*[https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=539524 Bug 539524 - New Test/Triage Profile Manager Application] 


[[Category:Profiles]]
[[Category:Profiles]]

Revision as of 21:11, 27 August 2015

Mozilla applications store your personal settings, added extensions and themes, and user data such as bookmarks, passwords, cookies and mail in a "profile". The Profile Manager allows you create and manage profiles. A new profile is useful for troubleshooting since it allows the application to run without extensions, themes, or customized settings. If you have multiple profiles you can use the Profile Manager to switch profiles.


Warning

Care must be taken when creating and deleting profiles, to avoid loss of valuable data. This potential data loss may include non-Mozilla files. Be sure to read the warnings given below, here and here, before proceeding!

Accessing the Profile Manager

  • SeaMonkey (or Mozilla Suite) users can access the Profile Manager from an open program window by selecting "Tools -> Switch Profile..." from the menu.
  • You can use the -profilemanager command line argument when starting the application, as specified below. A capitalized -P in place of -profilemanager should also work.

Caution: Do not use -profile manager (do not add a space). This previously caused a " already running but is not responding" error. [1] Currently, due to the fix for bug 531532, the command line argument -profile <path> will create a new profile folder at <path> (if it doesn't already exist) and launches the application with a profile that isn't listed in the Profile Manager. (For example, if you run firefox.exe -profile manager on Windows 7, then Firefox will launch with a new profile and a folder named "manager" will be created in the C:\Users\<username> directory.)

Windows

Close the application and make sure that it is not running in the background.

SeaMonkey or Mozilla Suite: As an alternative to using "Tools -> Switch Profile..." menu option (e.g., if SeaMonkey is not open) you can use the "Profile Manager" shortcut located in the Windows Start -> Programs menu (if available). You can also use the instructions given below for Firefox, substituting seamonkey.exe ( for Mozilla Suite, mozilla.exe) or the full path to the executable. For example, enter the following in the Windows Run box (you should substitute the actual path to the installation directory):

  • "C:\Program Files\SeaMonkey\seamonkey.exe" -P

Thunderbird: Use the "Profile Manager" shortcut located in the Windows Start -> Programs menu (if available). You can also use the Firefox instructions given below for entering the full path to the installation directory. For example, enter the following in the Windows Run box (you should substitute the actual path):

  • "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe" -P

Firefox: See Creating a new Firefox profile on Windows for a step by step guide with screenshots, or follow these instructions:

Open the Windows "Start" menu, select "Run" (on Windows Vista, use "Start Search" or enable the Run box, as described here) then type and enter one of the following:

  • firefox.exe -profilemanager
  • firefox.exe -P

For a zip install, if you have multiple installations (e.g., two different Firefox versions) or if the above instructions do not work, use the full path to the executable (.exe file) surrounded by quotation marks in the "Run" (or Vista "Start Search") box, as in these examples (the second example is for 64-bit Windows):

  • "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P
  • "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P

Note that the above examples are default installation directory locations. You can also find the executable file location by right-clicking the desktop (or Start menu) icon for your Mozilla program, selecting "Properties", going to the "Shortcut" tab, and then copying the "Target" location, as shown in this Firefox screenshot (from the Shortcut to a specific profile article).

Linux

Close the application completely and make sure that it is not running in the background. Open the terminal and execute cd (program directory) then execute:

  • (Firefox) ./firefox -profilemanager
  • (Mozilla Suite) ./mozilla -profilemanager
  • (SeaMonkey) ./seamonkey -profilemanager
  • (Thunderbird) ./thunderbird -profilemanager

Alternately, in a terminal, type: path/to/application -profilemanager

Mac OS X

Close the application completely and make sure that it is not running in the background. Assuming the program is installed in the "Applications" folder, launch Terminal ("Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal") and enter the command starting with / after the prompt in Terminal:

  • (Firefox) /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/MacOS/firefox-bin -profilemanager
  • (Mozilla Suite) /Applications/Mozilla.app/Contents/MacOS/mozilla-bin -profilemanager
  • (SeaMonkey) /Applications/SeaMonkey.app/Contents/MacOS/seamonkey-bin -profilemanager
  • (Thunderbird) /Applications/Thunderbird.app/Contents/MacOS/thunderbird-bin -profilemanager

Adding -bin after the application name is necessary on some systems and application versions. [2] [3] If you have problems starting the Profile Manager with one of the above commands, try again using just the application name, as in this example for Thunderbird:

  • /Applications/Thunderbird.app/Contents/MacOS/thunderbird -profilemanager

Creating a new profile

Once you've accessed the Profile Manager as described above, click on "Create Profile" and follow the instructions. Mozilla Suite/SeaMonkey users may have to click on "Manage Profiles..." first. Enter a descriptive name for the new profile and click the Finish button. Before starting with a selected profile, uncheck the "Don't ask at startup" option if you want the Profile Manager to appear each time you open the program; otherwise, the selected profile will automatically start each time.

A new profile folder will be created in the default folder location. If you created the new profile because your old one was corrupt, you can import bookmarks and selectively transfer your other data to the new profile.

Note: If you use ZoneAlarm Extreme Security or ZoneAlarm ForceField, the "Browser Security" option to run your browser in virtualization mode, if selected, can prevent new Firefox profiles from being saved. Turn off the virtual browsing feature, if you use one of these ZoneAlarm products. [4]

Custom profile location

For advanced users only

Mozilla Suite and SeaMonkey 1.x

If you wish to choose your own profile folder location, choose the parent folder where you want the new profile folder created. For example, if you want a new "ProfileName" folder created under D:\Mozilla\Profiles with the profile folder path D:\Mozilla\Profiles\ProfileName\<random>.slt, choose the Profiles folder.

Firefox Thunderbird and SeaMonkey 2

Unlike Mozilla Suite and SeaMonkey 1.x, a new profile folder is not automatically created when you choose the folder location for your new Firefox, Thunderbird, or SeaMonkey 2 profile. Whatever folder you select will become the profile folder. If you want to choose a custom location for your new profile, do not select a folder that contains existing data. You must create a new, empty folder (preferably with the same name as the new profile) and then choose that folder in the Create Profile Wizard. Note: If your operating system does not provide a "New Folder" button within the Create Profile Wizard, you will need to manually create the new folder.

Warning: If the folder you select for the new profile contains non-Mozilla files (such as the "My Documents" folder on Windows), your profile data will be intermingled with the non-Mozilla data. This can result in the loss of all of the data in that folder, including non-Mozilla files, if you later delete the profile. (Bug 304290, Bug 302087).

Deleting a profile

You can use the Profile Manager "Delete Profile" feature to remove a profile from the list of available profiles. You can also delete the associated profile folder and its contents if you select the "Delete Files" option but it is recommended that you choose the "Don't Delete Files" option unless you are sure that the profile folder contains no valuable data.

Deleting a Firefox Thunderbird or SeaMonkey 2 profile

Warning: The folder for the profile you are planning to delete may contain non-Mozilla files, if you created the profile in a custom location (see above). If you use the "Delete Files" option to delete that profile, the entire folder and all of the contents will be deleted, including any non-Mozilla files it may contain. This cannot be undone! For this reason, you should choose the "Don't Delete Files" option when deleting a profile. If you want to delete the profile folder, you can do that manually.

Moving a profile

See Moving your profile folder

Renaming a profile

You can use the Profile Manager "Rename Profile" feature to rename an existing profile but this is not recommended. Renaming a profile changes its name in the Profile Manager list of available profiles but does not change the actual profile folder name. If you use multiple profiles, renaming a profile can make it more difficult to tell which profile belongs to which profile folder without taking additional steps, such as checking the profile folder contents or looking inside the profiles.ini file and comparing the Name and Path.

If you do rename a profile, any shortcuts (see below) must be changed accordingly. The profile name is case-sensitive and using spaces in a profile name will require enclosing the profile name in quotes in a shortcut. This can be a problem if a specific profile is called by an extension such as "Launchy" where the options don't allow quotes, so is best to avoid using spaces.

Profile Manager shortcut

These instructions are for Windows. For Mac OS, see shortcut to launch a specific firefox profile on mac

In some Windows installs, a "Profile Manager" shortcut is placed on the Start menu programs list. For easier access to the Profile Manager, you can also create your own shortcut and place it on your desktop or in another convenient location.

For instance, to create a shortcut to the Firefox Profile Manager on Windows XP:

  1. Go to the Firefox installation directory (usually C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox), right click the file "firefox.exe", and select the option "Create shortcut".
  2. Right-click and rename the new shortcut "Firefox Profile Manager", then right-click the shortcut again and select "Properties".
  3. In the Shortcut tab window, place the cursor at the end of the path inside the Target box, click once (so that the path is no longer highlighted) then add a SPACE and -profilemanager to the end of the path, like so:
    • "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -profilemanager
  4. Click OK to exit the Properties window.
  5. Drag the new "Firefox Profile Manager" shortcut to the desktop or other location.

Note: Using -P instead of profilemanager may also work, like so, using the same Firefox example:

  • "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P

Double-clicking the new shortcut should now start the Profile Manager, assuming Firefox is completely closed and not running in the background, as mentioned above.

Shortcut to a specific profile

Follow the above instructions but use -P (not -profilemanager). After the -P add another SPACE and the name of the profile in quotes, where "Profile Name" is the name of the profile you wish to open, as shown in this Firefox example:

  • "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P "Profile Name"

Note: Profile names are case sensitive. See the article Shortcut to a specific profile if you need more help.

Profile in use

If the Profile Manager tells you that the profile is already in use, or if you attempt to start your Mozilla application and see a message that the application is already running but is not responding, this means the profile is locked. See Profile in use for details.

Profile missing after using Migration Assistant - Mac OS

If you use Apple's Migration Assistant to transfer all of your files, programs, and settings to a new Mac computer and you see a "Profile Missing" dialog box which says: Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible. when attempting to start Firefox or the Profile Manager, see Profile missing after using Migration Assistant on Mac OS for a possible solution.

See also

External links

Related bug reports