Profile folder: Difference between revisions

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| Personal Address Book
| Personal Address Book
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|-  
| <tt>blocklist.xml</tt>
| <tt>[[blocklist.xml]]</tt>
| Firefox, Thunderbird (starting in 2.0)
| Firefox, Thunderbird (starting in 2.0)
| Automatically downloaded list of dangerous extensions.
| Automatically downloaded list of dangerous extensions.

Revision as of 18:33, 18 May 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, address books, extensions, user preferences, and (unless you choose to move it) e-mail, 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 "Application Data" folder ("AppData" folder in Windows Vista) in the profile folder locations given below is hidden by default. To quickly find your profile folder you can use the %APPDATA% environment variable:

  • Windows 2000 and XP: Choose "Start → Run → Type in %APPDATA% → click OK"
  • Windows Vista: Choose "Start → Start Search → Type in %APPDATA% → press Enter"

This 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; for example, entering %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox in the Windows XP Run box will open "Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox".

Viewing hidden files and folders: To enable viewing of hidden files and folders, open Windows Explorer (or My Computer), then

  • Windows 2000 and XP: Click "Tools → Folder Options → View (tab) → Show hidden files and folders"
  • Windows Vista: Click "Organize → Folder and Search Options → Folder Options → View (tab) → Show hidden files and folders"

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
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<Profile name>\
(see above)

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
%APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>\
(see above)

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>/
/Users/<user name>/Library/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
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Profiles\<Profile name>\********.slt\
(see above)

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 -> Error Console" or "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 Error Console or 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
Mail 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
signons2.txt Firefox (starting in 1.5.0.10 & 2.0.0.2) Encrypted saved passwords, requires key3.db to work [6]
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 [7])
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.

See also

External links