Profile folder: Difference between revisions

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m (→‎For Windows 2000 and XP users: %APPDATA% phrase is for all users, not just advanced users)
(→‎For Windows 2000 and XP users: If %APPDATA% is for all users, then that sentence needed to be made more human-readable ;-))
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===For Windows 2000 and XP users===
===For Windows 2000 and XP users===
'''If you cannot find your profile folder:''': In Windows 2000 and XP, the default profile locations are under "Application Data", which is a hidden folder; in order to see it in Windows Explorer (or My Computer), click: Tools &rarr; Folder Options &rarr; View (tab) &rarr; Show Hidden files and folders.<br>   
'''If you cannot find your profile folder:''': In Windows 2000 and XP, the default profile locations listed below are inside the "Application Data" folder, which is a hidden folder; in order to see it in Windows Explorer (or My Computer), click: Tools &rarr; Folder Options &rarr; View (tab) &rarr; Show Hidden files and folders.<br>   
'''To do a Windows Search:''' To search default profile locations under the "Application Data" folder, Windows 2000 users will need to enable viewing of hidden files and folders as just described, while Windows XP users must enable searching of hidden files and folders. Click: "Start &rarr; Search &rarr; More advanced options" and select "Search hidden files and folders".
'''To do a Windows Search:''' To search default profile locations under the "Application Data" folder, Windows 2000 users will need to enable viewing of hidden files and folders as just described, while Windows XP users must enable searching of hidden files and folders by clicking: "Start &rarr; Search &rarr; More advanced options" and selecting "Search hidden files and folders".
   
   
You may wish to make use of the '''%APPDATA%''' phrase for Windows 2000/XP; this is an environment variable that automatically updates for login username changes.  For example:
If you are having trouble finding your "Application Data" folder, you may wish to make use of the <tt>%APPDATA%</tt> ''[http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/environment.htm environment variable]'' which points to its current location.  For example:
* "Start &rarr; Run &rarr; <tt>%APPDATA%</tt>" will  open the Application Data folder for the logged-in user
* "Start &rarr; Run &rarr; <tt>%APPDATA%</tt>" will  open the "Application Data" folder for the logged-in user;
* "Start &rarr; Run &rarr; <tt>%APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles</tt>" will open the Thunderbird "Profiles" folder.
* "Start &rarr; Run &rarr; <tt>%APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles</tt>" will open the Thunderbird "Profiles" folder.



Revision as of 11:21, 19 July 2006

This article applies to the Mozilla Suite, Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird and some other Mozilla-based applications.

The Mozilla Suite, Firefox, Thunderbird and Sunbird 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 the Mozilla Suite (Firefox, Thunderbird or Sunbird), 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?

By default, user profile data is stored in a completely different location than the application installation directory. 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 section Other profiles below describes how you can find one of these other profiles.

For Windows 2000 and XP users

If you cannot find your profile folder:: In Windows 2000 and XP, the default profile locations listed below are inside the "Application Data" folder, which is a hidden folder; in order to see it in Windows Explorer (or My Computer), click: Tools → Folder Options → View (tab) → Show Hidden files and folders.
To do a Windows Search: To search default profile locations under the "Application Data" folder, Windows 2000 users will need to enable viewing of hidden files and folders as just described, while Windows XP users must enable searching of hidden files and folders by clicking: "Start → Search → More advanced options" and selecting "Search hidden files and folders".

If you are having trouble finding your "Application Data" folder, you may wish to make use of the %APPDATA% environment variable which points to its current location. For example:

  • "Start → Run → %APPDATA%" will open the "Application Data" folder for the logged-in user;
  • "Start → Run → %APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles" will open the Thunderbird "Profiles" folder.

Mozilla Suite

Note: Mozilla Suite, Netscape 7.x 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

Firefox

Note: Firefox has a default profile folder name of ********.default (or default.*** for an older profile [1]).

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)

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)

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>/

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.

Files and folders in the profile

Note: it's not recommended to edit these files directly. Instead, use their respective interfaces.

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, Mozilla Suite Cached Internet files. Folder location changed in Firefox 1.5 [2]. Use about:cache for information about the cached files and to find the Cache folder location.
chrome Firefox, Thunderbird, Mozilla Suite, 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, Mozilla Suite, Sunbird Installed extensions
ImapMail Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Mail from IMAP sources
Mail Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Mail from POP sources and Local Folders
News Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird 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, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird, Sunbird Temporary empty file that signals a change in the installed extensions.
.parentlock Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird (MacOS X) See parent.lock
abook.mab Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Personal Address Book
bookmarks.bak Firefox, Mozilla Suite Backup of bookmarks.html
bookmarks.html Firefox, Mozilla Suite Bookmarks
bookmarks.html.moztmp Firefox, Mozilla Suite Temporary bookmarks file. If found, remove the 'read-only' attribute, as it results in the 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, Mozilla Suite, 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, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Cookies RSS_cookies_(Thunderbird)
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, Mozilla Suite 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 [3] 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 Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Collected Addresses
hostperm.1 Firefox, Mozilla Suite Per-site preferences for allowing cookies and popups.
key3.db Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird, Sunbird Key database
localstore.rdf Firefox, Thunderbird, Mozilla Suite, 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. [4]
lock (Linux) Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird See parent.lock
mailviews.dat Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Defines your current message view (you can customize it)
mimeTypes.rdf Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird, Sunbird Action to perform when downloading certain types of files. Can be deleted to reset download actions.
msgFilterRules.dat in ImapMail, Mail, News Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Message filters
nsmail.eml, nsmail.tmp, nsmail.html Thunderbird, Mozilla Suite Temporary files created when sending a message.
panacea.dat Thunderbird, Mozilla Suite Mail folder cache
parent.lock Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird (Windows) Marker showing that the current profile is in use. Can be deleted to unlock the profile.
persdict.dat Thunderbird, Mozilla Suite Personal spelling dictionary
popstate.dat in Mail Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Keeps track of which messages have been downloaded from the POP3 server
prefs.js Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird, Sunbird All preferences. See: about:config
search.rdf Firefox Information about your search plug-ins
secmod.db Firefox, Thunderbird, Mozilla Suite, Sunbird Security module database
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 Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Custom training for Junk Mail Controls
tmprules.dat Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Temporary file used when modifying message filters.
user.js (does not exist by default) Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird, Sunbird User-set overriding preferences
userChrome.css in chrome (does not exist by default) Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird, Sunbird User-set CSS to change the way the application looks
userContent.css in chrome (does not exist by default) Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird, Sunbird User-set CSS to change the way webpages look
virtualfolders.dat Thunderbird Saved Search folder settings
xpti.dat Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird Lists registered XPCOM interfaces. Automatically regenerated whenever XPCOM registration process is triggered.
xul.mfasl Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird (Linux) See XUL.mfl
XUL.mfl Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird (Windows), Sunbird Cached user interface data. Can be deleted to resolve various issues (file location changed in Firefox 1.5, Thunderbird 1.5 [5])
XUL FastLoad File Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird (MacOS X) See XUL.mfl

Files without specific names

Name Application Description
(number).s Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Password data. The "(number).s" value is referenced in the about:config preference "signon.SignonFileName" preference
(number).w Mozilla Suite Saved form data
*. in ImapMail, Mail, and News Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Mail messages
*.mab other than abook.mab and history.mab Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird User-created address books
*.msf in ImapMail, Mail, and News Mozilla Suite, 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, Mozilla Suite, 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.
registry.dat Firefox, Mozilla Suite, Thunderbird Keeps track of where your profiles are located in Mozilla Suite and older Firefox and Thunderbird versions. Located in the <parent> folder containing the "Profiles" folder.

See also

External links