Profile folder: Difference between revisions
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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 | '''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.<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 | '''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 <tt>%APPDATA%</tt> ''[http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/environment.htm environment variable]'' which points to its current location. For example: | |||
* "Start → Run → <tt>%APPDATA%</tt>" will open the Application Data folder for the logged-in user | * "Start → Run → <tt>%APPDATA%</tt>" will open the "Application Data" folder for the logged-in user; | ||
* "Start → Run → <tt>%APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles</tt>" will open the Thunderbird "Profiles" folder. | * "Start → Run → <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 |
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 |
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 |
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>/ |
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 |
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. |