Profile folder: Difference between revisions
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===For Windows users=== | ===For Windows users=== | ||
Windows 2000 and later | In Windows 2000 and later, the default profile folder locations are hidden by default, inside the the "AppData" folder (Windows Vista) or the "Application Data" folder (all other Windows versions). To quickly find your profile folder, you can use the <tt>%APPDATA%</tt> [http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/environment.htm environment variable]. Choose "Start → Run → Type in <tt>%APPDATA%</tt> → OK" , which will open a Windows Explorer window showing the contents of the "Application Data" folder in Windows 2000 and XP or the "AppData" folder in Windows Vista. You can then open successive folders (e.g., Mozilla → Firefox) until you get to the desired folder. You can also specify which folder to open in the Run field, for example, entering <tt>%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox</tt> will open "Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox". | ||
'''Viewing hidden files and folders:''' To enable viewing of hidden files and folders, in Windows Explorer (or My Computer) click: | |||
*"Tools → Folder Options → View (tab) → Show hidden files and folders" ''(Windows 2000 and XP)'' | |||
*"Organize → Folder and Search Options → Folder Options → View (tab) → Show hidden files and folders" ''(Windows Vista)'' | |||
'''Using Windows Search:''' You can also search for specific files in your profile folder or other hidden locations using Windows Search. In Windows 2000 you must first enable viewing of hidden files and folders, as above. In Windows XP and Vista, you enable searching for hidden files and folders ''in the Search tool itself'': "Start → Search → More advanced options → select "Search hidden files and folders" ("Include non-indexed, hidden or system files" in Vista [http://www.thegline.com/windows/2006/11/the-xp-users-guide-to-windows-4.html]). | |||
===Firefox=== | ===Firefox=== |
Revision as of 23:14, 8 February 2007
- This article applies to Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird, SeaMonkey and some other Mozilla-based applications.
Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird, SeaMonkey and other Mozilla applications each store a user's personal information such as bookmarks, e-mail, address books, extensions, and user preferences in a unique profile. The first time you start any Mozilla application, it will automatically create a default profile; additional profiles can be created using the Profile Manager. The settings which form a profile are stored in files within a special folder on your computer — this is the profile folder.
Where is my profile folder?
The default profile locations are listed below (******** in the folder name represents a random string of eight letters or numbers).
When creating a profile with the Profile Manager, you can choose to place it in a location other than the default profile location. The Other profiles section below describes how you can find one of these other profiles.
Caution: The installation directory also includes a "profile" folder (for example, C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\defaults\profile on Windows) but this folder contains program defaults, not your user profile data. Use the information below to find your profile folder.
For Windows users
In Windows 2000 and later, the default profile folder locations are hidden by default, inside the the "AppData" folder (Windows Vista) or the "Application Data" folder (all other Windows versions). To quickly find your profile folder, you can use the %APPDATA% environment variable. Choose "Start → Run → Type in %APPDATA% → OK" , which will open a Windows Explorer window showing the contents of the "Application Data" folder in Windows 2000 and XP or the "AppData" folder in Windows Vista. You can then open successive folders (e.g., Mozilla → Firefox) until you get to the desired folder. You can also specify which folder to open in the Run field, for example, entering %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox will open "Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox".
Viewing hidden files and folders: To enable viewing of hidden files and folders, in Windows Explorer (or My Computer) click:
- "Tools → Folder Options → View (tab) → Show hidden files and folders" (Windows 2000 and XP)
- "Organize → Folder and Search Options → Folder Options → View (tab) → Show hidden files and folders" (Windows Vista)
Using Windows Search: You can also search for specific files in your profile folder or other hidden locations using Windows Search. In Windows 2000 you must first enable viewing of hidden files and folders, as above. In Windows XP and Vista, you enable searching for hidden files and folders in the Search tool itself: "Start → Search → More advanced options → select "Search hidden files and folders" ("Include non-indexed, hidden or system files" in Vista [1]).
Firefox
Note: Firefox has a default profile folder name of ********.default (or default.*** for an older profile [2]).
Operating system | Folder(s) |
---|---|
Windows 95/98/Me | C:\Windows\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<Profile name>\ |
Windows 95/98/Me, alternate | C:\Windows\Profiles\<Windows login/user name>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<Profile name>\ |
Windows NT 4.x | C:\Winnt\Profiles\<Windows login/user name>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<Profile name>\ |
Windows 2000 and XP | C:\Documents and Settings\<Windows login/user name>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<Profile name>\ in other words |
Windows Vista | C:\Users\<Windows login/user name>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<Profile name>\ |
Unix | ~/.mozilla/firefox/<Profile name>/ |
Mac OS X | ~/Library/Mozilla/Firefox/Profiles/<Profile name>/ ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/<Profile name>/ |
Sunbird
Like Firefox above, but replace the directory name "Firefox" with "Sunbird" in the paths.
Thunderbird
Note: Thunderbird has a default profile folder name of ********.default (or default.*** for an older profile).
Operating system | Folder(s) |
---|---|
Windows 95/98/Me | C:\Windows\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>\ |
Windows 95/98/Me, alternate | C:\Windows\Profiles\<Windows login/user name>\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>\ |
Windows NT 4.x | C:\Winnt\Profiles\<Windows login/user name>\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>\ |
Windows 2000 and XP | C:\Documents and Settings\<Windows login/user name>\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>\ in other words |
Windows Vista | C:\Users\<Windows login/user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>\ |
Unix | ~/.thunderbird/<Profile name>/ or possibly ~/.mozilla-thunderbird<Profile name> |
Mac OS X | ~/Library/Thunderbird/Profiles/<Profile name>/ ~/Library/Application Support/Thunderbird/Profiles/<Profile name>/ |
SeaMonkey
Note: Netscape 7.x, Mozilla Suite and SeaMonkey all use the same profile locations.
Operating system | Folder(s) |
---|---|
Windows 95/98/Me | C:\Windows\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\<Profile name>\********.slt\ |
Windows 95/98/Me, alternate | C:\Windows\Profiles\<Windows login/user name>\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\<Profile name>\********.slt\ |
Windows NT 4.x | C:\Winnt\Profiles\<Windows login/user name>\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\<Profile name>\********.slt\ |
Windows 2000 and XP | C:\Documents and Settings\<Windows login/user name>\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\<Profile name>\********.slt\ in other words |
Unix | ~/.mozilla/<Profile name>/********.slt |
Mac OS X | ~/Library/Mozilla/Profiles/<Profile name>/********.slt ~/Library/Application Support/Mozilla/Profiles/<Profile name>/********.slt |
Other profiles
You can use the following technique to find the location of the profile that you are currently using. This is useful, for example, if you are using a profile that is not in the default location given in the above tables.
From the Mozilla application's menu bar, choose Tools – JavaScript Console (or Tools – Web Development – JavaScript Console). Copy the following code. It is one very long line ending in path—make sure that you get all of it:
Components.classes["@mozilla.org/file/directory_service;1"].getService( Components.interfaces.nsIProperties).get("ProfD", Components.interfaces.nsIFile).path
In the JavaScript Console window, paste the code in the field near the top. Click the Evaluate button. The console should display the location of the profile that is currently in use. If you don't see it, make sure you have the "All" button pushed.
You could also use MR Techs Local Install extension. It adds a Tools -> Edit My Config -> Open Profile Folder command that will display the profile folder using your file manager.
Managing profiles
- You can select a profile to use, create a new profile, and delete or rename an existing profile using Profile Manager. See the linked article for detailed instructions.
- See Profile backup for instructions on backing up your profile.
- If you get a "profile is already in use" message it means that the profile is locked. See Profile in use for details.
What do I do if my profile is corrupted?
If your profile is corrupted, create a new profile then migrate your settings to the new profile.
Caution: If you delete, rename or move the profile folder, Thunderbird or Firefox may report that it is "already running, but is not responding" when you next start the application (bug 278860). See this article for more information.
Files and folders in the profile
Note: It's not recommended to edit these files directly. Instead, use their respective interfaces. The three files whose names begin with "user" are exceptions to this—they are designed to be edited directly. For more information on these three files, follow their links in the tables below.
Folders
Name | Application | Description |
---|---|---|
backupData | Sunbird (starting in 0.3) | Backups of your calendars. |
bookmarkbackups | Firefox (starting in 1.5) | Daily rotating backups of your bookmarks. |
Cache | Firefox, SeaMonkey | Cached Internet files. Folder location changed in Firefox 1.5 [3]. Use about:cache for information about the cached files and to find the Cache folder location. |
chrome | Firefox, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey, Sunbird | (In Firefox 1.5, Thunderbird 1.5 and Sunbird 0.3, the chrome folder is only used for userChrome.css and userContent.css) |
extensions | Firefox, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey, Sunbird | Installed extensions |
ImapMail | Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Mail from IMAP sources |
Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Mail from POP sources and Local Folders | |
microsummary-generators | Firefox (starting in 2.0) | Regularly-updated succinct compilations of the most important information on web pages. |
News | Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | News from newsgroups |
searchplugins | Firefox (starting in 1.5) | Contains search engine plugins and their icons for the Search Bar |
Files
Name | Application | Description |
---|---|---|
.autoreg | Firefox, SeaMonkey, Thunderbird, Sunbird | Temporary empty file that signals a change in the installed extensions. |
.parentlock | Firefox, SeaMonkey, Thunderbird (MacOS X) | See parent.lock |
abook.mab | Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Personal Address Book |
blocklist.xml | Firefox, Thunderbird (starting in 2.0) | Automatically downloaded list of dangerous extensions. |
bookmarks.bak | Firefox | Backup of bookmarks.html (Bug 218636) |
bookmarks.html | Firefox, SeaMonkey | Bookmarks |
bookmarks.html.moztmp | Firefox, SeaMonkey | Temporary bookmarks file. If found, remove the 'read-only' attribute, as it results in creation of multiple numbered bookmarks-n.html files (Bug 157152). |
bookmarks-(date).html in bookmarkbackups | Firefox (starting in 1.5) | Daily rotating backups of your bookmarks. |
cert8.db | Firefox, SeaMonkey, Thunderbird, Sunbird | Security certificates |
compatibility.ini | Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird | Stores version and path of the application this profile was last used with. When the profile is loaded with an application of a different version/path, the XPCOM components registration process is triggered. This file is automatically generated and can safely be deleted. |
components.ini | Firefox, Thunderbird | Lists extension folders with XPCOM components. Replaced with extensions.ini in 1.5. |
compreg.dat | Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird | Lists registered XPCOM components. Automatically regenerated whenever XPCOM registration process is triggered. |
cookies.txt | Firefox, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Cookies RSS_cookies_(Thunderbird) |
cookies.txt.moztmp | Firefox, SeaMonkey | Temporary cookies file. If found, either delete or remove the 'read-only' attribute, as it results in creation of multiple numbered cookies-n.txt files (Bug 257288). |
defaults.ini | Firefox, Thunderbird (before 1.5) | Lists extension folders with default pref files. Replaced with extensions.ini in 1.5. |
downloads.rdf | Firefox, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Download history. Can be deleted to resolve slow downloads or program hangs (Bug 159107) |
extensions.cache | Firefox, Thunderbird (starting in 1.5), Sunbird | Lists installed extensions, their IDs, and the folders they are installed to, along with their last-modify time. It is used, for example, to register extensions installed by dropping a folder into one of known install locations. This file is automatically regenerated and can be deleted to resolve various issues. |
extensions.ini | Firefox, Thunderbird (starting in 1.5), Sunbird | Lists folders of installed extensions and themes. The file is automatically generated by nsExtensionManager and is used by low-level code to detect chrome packages and XPCOM components provided by installed addons. Can be deleted to resolve various issues.
|
extensions.rdf | Firefox, Thunderbird | Installed extension information. Can be deleted in Firefox 1.5 or Thunderbird 1.5 to remove "ghost" entries from the extension list [4] and to resolve various other issues. |
extensions-startup.manifest | Firefox and Thunderbird 1.5 alphas | This file was used in Deer Park alphas and was later renamed to extensions.cache |
formhistory.dat | Firefox | Saved form data |
history.dat | Firefox, Mozilla Suite | Browsing history. Can be deleted to resolve various issues. |
history.mab | Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Collected Addresses |
hostperm.1 | Firefox, SeaMonkey | Per-site preferences for allowing cookies and popups. |
key3.db | Firefox, SeaMonkey, Thunderbird, Sunbird | Key database |
kf.txt | Firefox (starting in 2.0) | Key database for phishing protection. |
localstore.rdf | Firefox, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey, Sunbird | Toolbar and window size/position settings. Can be deleted to resolve various issues. |
localstore-safe.rdf | Firefox (starting in 1.5) | Special version of localstore.rdf used in Safe Mode to set toolbars and window customizations to defaults. [5] |
lock (Linux) | Firefox, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | See parent.lock |
mailviews.dat | Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Defines your current message view (you can customize it) |
mimeTypes.rdf | Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird, SeaMonkey | Action to perform when downloading certain types of files. Can be deleted to reset download actions. |
msgFilterRules.dat in ImapMail, Mail, News | Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Message filters |
nsmail.eml, nsmail.tmp, nsmail.html | Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Temporary files created when sending a message. |
panacea.dat | Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Mail folder cache |
parent.lock | Firefox, SeaMonkey, Thunderbird (Windows) | Marker showing that the current profile is in use. Can be deleted to unlock the profile. |
persdict.dat | Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Personal spelling dictionary |
popstate.dat in Mail | Thunderbird | Keeps track of which messages have been left on the POP3 server |
prefs.js | Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird, SeaMonkey | All preferences. See: about:config |
search.rdf | Firefox | Information about your search plug-ins |
search.sqlite | Firefox (starting in 2.0) | Information about your search plug-ins |
secmod.db | Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird, SeaMonkey | Security module database |
sessionstore.js | Firefox (starting in 2.0) | Stored session. |
signons.txt | Firefox, Sunbird | Encrypted saved passwords, requires key3.db to work |
storage.sdb | Sunbird (from 0.3) | Internal calendar data (in SQLite format) |
training.dat | Thunderbird | Custom training for Junk Mail Controls |
tmprules.dat | Thunderbird | Temporary file used when modifying message filters. |
urlclassifier.sqlite | Firefox (starting in 2.0) | Phishing protection data. |
user.js (does not exist by default) |
Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird, SeaMonkey | User-set overriding preferences |
userChrome.css in chrome (does not exist by default) |
Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird, SeaMonkey | User-set CSS to change the way the application looks |
userContent.css in chrome (does not exist by default) |
Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird, SeaMonkey | User-set CSS to change the way webpages look |
userChrome.js in chrome (does not exist by default) |
Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird, SeaMonkey | User-set JavaScript to change the way the application works |
virtualfolders.dat | Thunderbird | Saved Search folder settings |
webappsstore.sqlite | Firefox (starting in 2.0) | Session storage. |
xpti.dat | Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird | Lists registered XPCOM interfaces. Automatically regenerated whenever XPCOM registration process is triggered. |
xul.mfasl | Firefox, Thunderbird (Linux) | See XUL.mfl |
XUL.mfl | Firefox, Thunderbird (Windows), Sunbird, SeaMonkey | Cached user interface data. Can be deleted to resolve various issues (file location changed in Firefox 1.5, Thunderbird 1.5 [6]) |
XUL FastLoad File | Firefox, Thunderbird (MacOS X) | See XUL.mfl |
Files without specific names
Name | Application | Description |
---|---|---|
(number).s | Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Password data. The "(number).s" value is referenced in the about:config preference "signon.SignonFileName" preference |
(number).w | SeaMonkey | Saved form data |
*. in ImapMail, Mail, and News | Thunderbird | Mail messages |
*.mab other than abook.mab and history.mab | Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | User-created address books |
*.msf in ImapMail, Mail, and News | Thunderbird | Index files for mail messages |
*.src in searchplugins | Firefox | Search engine plugins for the Search Bar |
Files outside the "Profiles" folder
Name | Application | Description |
---|---|---|
pluginreg.dat | Firefox, Thunderbird | Registration of plugin mimetypes. Located in the <parent> folder containing the "Profiles" folder. |
profiles.ini | Firefox, Thunderbird | Keeps track of profile location. Located in the <parent> folder containing the "Profiles" folder. Can be edited to point to a moved profile folder. If deleted, profiles.ini will be regenerated along with a new default profile folder upon program restart. |
registry.dat | Firefox, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey | Keeps track of where your profiles are located in SeaMonkey and in older Firefox and Thunderbird versions. Located in the <parent> folder containing the "Profiles" folder. |