Transferring data to a new profile - Firefox: Difference between revisions

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This article explains how to selectively transfer Firefox user data and settings to a new [[Profile folder - Firefox| Firefox profile]] and provides a list of suggested files.  If you're using either Thunderbird or SeaMonkey, see [[Transferring data to a new profile - Thunderbird]] or [[Transferring data to a new profile]].   
This article explains how to selectively transfer Firefox user data and settings to a new [[Profile folder - Firefox| Firefox profile]] and provides a list of suggested files.  If you're using either Thunderbird or SeaMonkey, see [[Transferring data to a new profile - Thunderbird]] or [[Transferring data to a new profile - SeaMonkey]].   


==Preparation==
==Preparation==
===Back up your profiles===
===Back up your profiles===
It's a good idea to first [[Profile_backup | back up your profiles]] as a precaution.  [[MozBackup]] (Windows only) and [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2109 FEBE] are popular ways to do this.
It's a good idea to first [[Profile_backup | back up your profiles]] as a precaution.  [[MozBackup]] (Windows only)(Please note that MBU is no longer being supported or updated.) and [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2109 FEBE] are popular ways to do this.(Please note that FEBE will not function with Firefox v57 & up.)


===Create a new profile===
===Create a new profile===
Installing Firefox and running it for the first time automatically creates a "default" [[Profile folder - Firefox| Firefox profile]].  Additional profiles can be created using the Firefox [[Profile Manager]].  If you haven't yet created a new profile,  [[Kill application |completely close Firefox]] by choosing File -> Exit (or  Quit) and then  [[Profile Manager#Accessing_the_Profile_Manager | open the Profile Manager]] and follow the prompts to create the new profile, Make note of the name you give to the new profile so you can distinguish between the old and the new, then exit the Profile Manager (do not start Firefox with the new profile).  
Installing Firefox and running it for the first time automatically creates a "default" [[Profile folder - Firefox| Firefox profile]].  Additional profiles can be created using the Firefox [[Profile Manager]].  If you haven't yet created a new profile,  [[Kill application |completely close Firefox]] by choosing File -> Exit (or  Quit) and then  [[Profile Manager#Accessing_the_Profile_Manager | open the Profile Manager]] and follow the prompts to create a new profile. Make note of the name you give to the new profile so you can distinguish between the old and the new.  You can exit the Profile Manager at this point and a new profile folder will be created (if you don't open Firefox with the new profile, the newly created profile folder will be an "empty shell").  You can then copy the files containing the data you wish to transfer to the new profile folder.  Firefox will create any additional files it needs when you actually start Firefox with the new profile.


==Copy data to the new profile==
==Copy data to the new profile==
Make sure that Firefox is completely closed before you copy data to the new profile.
It's recommended that you only copy data that would be a lot of work to recreate (such as [[bookmarks]], passwords, and [[cookies]]) to the new profile.  Extensions, themes, and preferences are a common cause of Firefox problems so you should re-install any extensions and themes and reconfigure your preference settings if you had problems with the old profile,  instead of trying to transfer them.  If you had problems with your old profile and  haven't identified what set of files is causing your problem, it's recommended you copy files from your old [[Profile folder - Firefox | profile folder]] to the new one in several steps, testing whether things are still working okay between steps.   
It's recommended that you only copy data that would be a lot of work to recreate (such as [[bookmarks]], passwords, and [[cookies]]) to the new profile.  Extensions, themes, and preferences are a common cause of Firefox problems so you should re-install any extensions and themes and reconfigure your preference settings if you had problems with the old profile,  instead of trying to transfer them.  If you had problems with your old profile and  haven't identified what set of files is causing your problem, it's recommended you copy files from your old [[Profile folder - Firefox | profile folder]] to the new one in several steps, testing whether things are still working okay between steps.   


If you were not having any problems with the old profile,  you can delete the entire contents of the new profile folder and then copy everything you wish to transfer at once,  into the new profile folder.
If you were''' not''' having any problems with the old profile,  you can '''clone''' the existing profile by copying everything from the existing profile folder, deleting the entire contents of the '''new''' profile folder and then and pasting the existing profile contents into the new profile folder. Be aware that the 'Downloads' location is locally pathed and may need to be changed if the new profile is on a different Operating System.
 
'''Transferring useful personal data to a new profile from an old profile that had problems:'''
# Open Firefox with your old profile, using the Firefox [[Profile Manager]]. 
# In the Firefox Menu select "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" and click "Open  Containing Folder" (see note below)
# When the profile folder window appears, '''close Firefox'''
:*Note:  In Firefox 14 and later changed to "Show Folder" on Windows and "Show in Finder" on Mac OS and "Open Directory" on Linux. If you are unable to open Firefox using the old profile,  you can navigate to the old profile manually.  See [[Profile folder - Firefox#Finding the profile folder]] for details.
 
You will now be working within the Firefox profile folder window,  which contains the files and folders that you are going to copy to your new profile.  To make the transfer process easier, you should  create a  new "Transfer Profile" folder inside your old Firefox profile folder:  
#Right click on a blank area of the profile folder window and create a New Folder.
#Rename this new folder to '''Transfer Folder'''.
#Copy into this Transfer Folder the following files and folders from your old profile and no others:
 
'''Files:'''
* cert9.db  (cer8.db in Firefox 57 and below)  (pkcs11.txt has replaced secmode.db; do not transfer)
* chromeappsstore.sqlite (deprecated)
* content-prefs.sqlite
* cookies.sqlite
* favicons.sqlite (Firefox 55 and above)
* formhistory.sqlite
* handlers.json (mimeTypes.rdf in Firefox 54 and below; bug 1287658)
* key4.db  (key3.db in Firefox 57 and below)
* logins.json (Firefox 32 and above)
* permissions.sqlite
* persdict.dat
* places.sqlite
* sessionstore.js (Firefox 55 and below; can be used as a fallback)
* sessionstore.jsonlz4 (Firefox 56 and above)
* webappsstore.sqlite
* signons.sqlite (Firefox 31 and below; can be used as a fallback, signon.importedFromSqlite; bug 1013947)
* signons3.txt (Firefox 26 and below; bug 717490; bug 925101)
 
'''Folders:'''
* bookmarkbackups
* chrome (if it exists)
* searchplugins (Firefox 44 and below)
* sessionstore-backups folder


===Firefox 3===
Note: Any existing folders specifically relating to individual extensions that you may wish to re-install later may also be copied over (at your own risk)
Starting in Firefox 3, the file format has been changed for certain profile data.  For example, Firefox 3 stores [[cookies]] in [[cookies.sqlite]] (instead of [[cookies.txt]]) and stores both bookmarks and browsing history in [[places.sqlite]] (instead of  [[bookmarks.html]] and [[history.dat]]).  When you open Firefox 3 with a profile that contains files from a previous Firefox version, Firefox 3 will "convert" the profile by using the information in the older files to create new files in the new format, but only if the profile does not already contain the Firefox 3 versions of those files.  After the profile contents have been converted to the new format,  the older files will still remain in the profile folder but they will no longer be used by Firefox 3.


'''Important:''' If you are copying data from a profile that was used in an older Firefox version to a new profile, make sure to delete the corresponding files in the new profile folder (e.g., delete the .sqlite files from a Firefox 3 profile) so that Firefox can create a file in the new format using the data in the copied file. In the case of bookmarks, you also need to delete (or rename) any [[bookmarks-(date).json]] files from the [[bookmarkbackups folder]] when you copy bookmarks.html to the profile and delete "places.sqlite"; otherwise, Firefox 3 will use a JSON backup to restore the missing bookmarks instead of converting the bookmarks.html file you copied.
'''Once you have completed the above, you are ready to copy the contents of  the "Transfer Folder" into your new Firefox profile:'''
# Open Firefox using the [[Profile Manager]] and select the new profile you created earlier.
# In the Firefox Menu select "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" and click  "Open Containing Folder". When the profile folder appears, '''close Firefox'''.
# Paste the Transfer Folder into the new profile folder and then copy/paste the contents of it into the new profile, overwriting the original files/folders in that profile. When complete, the Transfer Folder may be deleted or kept as a backup.
# Start Firefox using the new profile.


==Suggested profile contents to transfer==
==Suggested profile contents to transfer==
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===Files===
===Files===
'''Bookmarks and browsing history:'''
'''Bookmarks and browsing history:'''
* [[bookmarks.html]] (Firefox 2) - [[Bookmarks]]
* [[places.sqlite]] - Bookmarks and browsing history.  Note that Firefox 3 stores both bookmarks and browsing history in the places.sqlite file. From Firefox 55 and above, places.sqlite was split into places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite.   
* [[history.dat]] (Firefox 2) - Browsing history of previously visited websites
* [[places.sqlite]] (Firefox 3)  - Bookmarks and browsing history.  Note that Firefox 3 stores both bookmarks and browsing history in the places.sqlite file.   


You can alternately use the [[Import bookmarks#Import from file|"Import" feature of the Bookmarks Manager]] to add the contents of any bookmarks file in HTML format to your current Firefox bookmarks.   In Firefox 3 you can alternately use the [[Lost bookmarks#Restoring bookmarks in Firefox 3| "Restore" feature of the Bookmarks Manager]] to replace your bookmarks with those from a JSON backup, for example, from a [[bookmarks-(date).json]] file in the [[bookmarkbackups folder]] of another Firefox 3 profile.
You can alternately [[Import bookmarks#Import from file|import a bookmarks HTML file]] if you wish to add those bookmarks to your current Firefox bookmarks. In Firefox 3, you can also use the [[Backing up and restoring bookmarks - Firefox|Firefox Library "Restore" feature]] to replace your current bookmarks with a bookmark backup file (such as a dated JSON backup from the [[bookmarkbackups folder]] of another Firefox 3 profile) but this will not transfer your browsing history.


'''Cookies:'''  
'''Cookies:'''  
* [[cookies.txt]] (Firefox 2) or cookies.sqlite (Firefox 3)  - [[Cookies]]
* cookies.sqlite - [[Cookies]]


'''Download actions for file types:'''
'''Download actions for file types:'''
* [[mimeTypes.rdf]] - What action to perform when [[File types and download actions |downloading certain types of files]] (save or open with a specified application).  
* [[mimeTypes.rdf]] (handlers.json in Firefox 55 and above) - What action to perform when [[File types and download actions |downloading certain types of files]] (save or open with a specified application).  


'''Form history:'''
'''Form history:'''
* formhistory.dat (Firefox 2) or formhistory.sqlite (Firefox 3) -  Saved entries for web forms and the [[Search Bar]].
*formhistory.sqlite -  Saved entries for web forms and the [[Search Bar]].


'''Passwords:''' (Both of these files must be copied)
'''Passwords:''' (Both of these files must be copied)
* [[key3.db]] - Key database for passwords.  
* [[key3.db]] (key4.db in Firefox 58 and above) - Key database for passwords.  
* [[signons2.txt]] (Firefox 2) or [[signons3.txt]] (Firefox 3) - Saved passwords.   Note:  [[signons.txt]] was used prior to version 2.0.0.2. 
* [[signons.sqlite]] (Firefox 3.5) or logins.json (Firefox 32 and above) - Saved passwords.


'''Permissions:'''
'''Permissions:'''
* [[hostperm.1]] (Firefox 2) or  permissions.sqlite (Firefox 3) - Per-site preferences for allowing cookies, images, popups, and extension install permissions.
*permissions.sqlite - Per-site preferences for allowing cookies, images, popups, and extension install permissions.


'''Preferences:'''
'''Preferences:'''
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'''Security certificate settings:'''
'''Security certificate settings:'''
* cert8.db
* cert8.db (cert9.db in Firefox 58 and above)


'''Session storage:'''
'''Session storage:'''
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===Folders===   
===Folders===   
* '''[[Bookmarkbackups folder|bookmarkbackups]]''' - Contains dated bookmark backup files:
* '''[[Bookmarkbackups folder|bookmarkbackups]]''' - Contains dated bookmark backup files:
**[[bookmarks-(date).html]] (Firefox 2) or  [[bookmarks-(date).json]] (Firefox 3)
**[[bookmarks-(date).json]]
Note:  You can [[Import bookmarks#Import from file|import an HTML backup file]] into any Firefox version.  You can restore a JSON backup in Firefox 3 by using the [[Lost bookmarks#Restoring bookmarks in Firefox 3|"Restore" feature of the Bookmarks Manager]].
Note:  You can [[Import bookmarks#Import from file|import an HTML backup file]] into any Firefox version.  You can restore a JSON backup by opening the Library window, selecting [[Backing up and restoring bookmarks - Firefox|"Import and Backup - Restore -> Choose File"]], and choosing one of the bookmark backup files in this folder.


*'''[[Chrome folder|chrome]]'''  - Contains the following optional files (if created) that change the way Firefox and web pages look
*'''[[Chrome folder|chrome]]'''  - Contains "example" files and optional user customization files (if created) that change the way Firefox and web pages look.  Note: The chrome folder is no longer created by default (as of Firefox 4?).  [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=438248]  [https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Chrome_Registration].
**[[userChrome-example.css]]
**[[userContent-example.css]]
**[[userChrome.css]]
**[[userChrome.css]]
**[[userContent.css]]
**[[userContent.css]]
**[[userChrome.js]]
**[[userChrome.js]]


* '''extensions'''  - Contains added themes and extensions. ''Not recommended to transfer if you had problems in your old profile.'' After copying this folder or its contents to the new profile, delete the "extensions.ini", "extensions.cache" and "extensions.rdf" files from the profile folder.  These files will be regenerated when you start Firefox.  Note that some extensions store data in additional files in the profile, usually at the top of the directory. You'll need to move them separately.  
* '''extensions'''  - Contains added themes and extensions. ''Not recommended to transfer if you had problems in your old profile.'' After copying this folder or its contents to the new profile, delete the "extensions.json", "extensions.sqlite", "extensions.ini", "extensions.cache" and "extensions.rdf" files (if found) from the profile folder.  The needed files will be regenerated when you start Firefox.  Note that some extensions store data in additional files in the profile, usually at the top of the directory. You'll need to move them separately.  


* '''searchplugins''' - Contains additional search engines, if you've added any to Firefox.
* '''searchplugins''' - Contains additional search engines, if you've added any to Firefox.
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* [[Moving your profile folder]]
* [[Moving your profile folder]]
* [[Export bookmarks]]
* [[Export bookmarks]]
* [[Troubleshooting Information page#Reset Firefox to its default state|Troubleshooting Information page - Reset Firefox to its default state]]


==External links==
==External links==

Latest revision as of 08:07, 23 August 2019

This article explains how to selectively transfer Firefox user data and settings to a new Firefox profile and provides a list of suggested files. If you're using either Thunderbird or SeaMonkey, see Transferring data to a new profile - Thunderbird or Transferring data to a new profile - SeaMonkey.

Preparation

Back up your profiles

It's a good idea to first back up your profiles as a precaution. MozBackup (Windows only)(Please note that MBU is no longer being supported or updated.) and FEBE are popular ways to do this.(Please note that FEBE will not function with Firefox v57 & up.)

Create a new profile

Installing Firefox and running it for the first time automatically creates a "default" Firefox profile. Additional profiles can be created using the Firefox Profile Manager. If you haven't yet created a new profile, completely close Firefox by choosing File -> Exit (or Quit) and then open the Profile Manager and follow the prompts to create a new profile. Make note of the name you give to the new profile so you can distinguish between the old and the new. You can exit the Profile Manager at this point and a new profile folder will be created (if you don't open Firefox with the new profile, the newly created profile folder will be an "empty shell"). You can then copy the files containing the data you wish to transfer to the new profile folder. Firefox will create any additional files it needs when you actually start Firefox with the new profile.

Copy data to the new profile

Make sure that Firefox is completely closed before you copy data to the new profile.

It's recommended that you only copy data that would be a lot of work to recreate (such as bookmarks, passwords, and cookies) to the new profile. Extensions, themes, and preferences are a common cause of Firefox problems so you should re-install any extensions and themes and reconfigure your preference settings if you had problems with the old profile, instead of trying to transfer them. If you had problems with your old profile and haven't identified what set of files is causing your problem, it's recommended you copy files from your old profile folder to the new one in several steps, testing whether things are still working okay between steps.

If you were not having any problems with the old profile, you can clone the existing profile by copying everything from the existing profile folder, deleting the entire contents of the new profile folder and then and pasting the existing profile contents into the new profile folder. Be aware that the 'Downloads' location is locally pathed and may need to be changed if the new profile is on a different Operating System.

Transferring useful personal data to a new profile from an old profile that had problems:

  1. Open Firefox with your old profile, using the Firefox Profile Manager.
  2. In the Firefox Menu select "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" and click "Open Containing Folder" (see note below)
  3. When the profile folder window appears, close Firefox
  • Note: In Firefox 14 and later changed to "Show Folder" on Windows and "Show in Finder" on Mac OS and "Open Directory" on Linux. If you are unable to open Firefox using the old profile, you can navigate to the old profile manually. See Profile folder - Firefox#Finding the profile folder for details.

You will now be working within the Firefox profile folder window, which contains the files and folders that you are going to copy to your new profile. To make the transfer process easier, you should create a new "Transfer Profile" folder inside your old Firefox profile folder:

  1. Right click on a blank area of the profile folder window and create a New Folder.
  2. Rename this new folder to Transfer Folder.
  3. Copy into this Transfer Folder the following files and folders from your old profile and no others:

Files:

  • cert9.db (cer8.db in Firefox 57 and below) (pkcs11.txt has replaced secmode.db; do not transfer)
  • chromeappsstore.sqlite (deprecated)
  • content-prefs.sqlite
  • cookies.sqlite
  • favicons.sqlite (Firefox 55 and above)
  • formhistory.sqlite
  • handlers.json (mimeTypes.rdf in Firefox 54 and below; bug 1287658)
  • key4.db (key3.db in Firefox 57 and below)
  • logins.json (Firefox 32 and above)
  • permissions.sqlite
  • persdict.dat
  • places.sqlite
  • sessionstore.js (Firefox 55 and below; can be used as a fallback)
  • sessionstore.jsonlz4 (Firefox 56 and above)
  • webappsstore.sqlite
  • signons.sqlite (Firefox 31 and below; can be used as a fallback, signon.importedFromSqlite; bug 1013947)
  • signons3.txt (Firefox 26 and below; bug 717490; bug 925101)

Folders:

  • bookmarkbackups
  • chrome (if it exists)
  • searchplugins (Firefox 44 and below)
  • sessionstore-backups folder

Note: Any existing folders specifically relating to individual extensions that you may wish to re-install later may also be copied over (at your own risk)

Once you have completed the above, you are ready to copy the contents of the "Transfer Folder" into your new Firefox profile:

  1. Open Firefox using the Profile Manager and select the new profile you created earlier.
  2. In the Firefox Menu select "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" and click "Open Containing Folder". When the profile folder appears, close Firefox.
  3. Paste the Transfer Folder into the new profile folder and then copy/paste the contents of it into the new profile, overwriting the original files/folders in that profile. When complete, the Transfer Folder may be deleted or kept as a backup.
  4. Start Firefox using the new profile.

Suggested profile contents to transfer

The following files and folders are found in your Firefox profile folder. Note that, on Windows 2000/XP/Vista and Linux, you will need to show hidden files and folders to navigate to the profile folder or search for the files.

Files

Bookmarks and browsing history:

  • places.sqlite - Bookmarks and browsing history. Note that Firefox 3 stores both bookmarks and browsing history in the places.sqlite file. From Firefox 55 and above, places.sqlite was split into places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite.

You can alternately import a bookmarks HTML file if you wish to add those bookmarks to your current Firefox bookmarks. In Firefox 3, you can also use the Firefox Library "Restore" feature to replace your current bookmarks with a bookmark backup file (such as a dated JSON backup from the bookmarkbackups folder of another Firefox 3 profile) but this will not transfer your browsing history.

Cookies:

Download actions for file types:

Form history:

  • formhistory.sqlite - Saved entries for web forms and the Search Bar.

Passwords: (Both of these files must be copied)

  • key3.db (key4.db in Firefox 58 and above) - Key database for passwords.
  • signons.sqlite (Firefox 3.5) or logins.json (Firefox 32 and above) - Saved passwords.

Permissions:

  • permissions.sqlite - Per-site preferences for allowing cookies, images, popups, and extension install permissions.

Preferences:

  • user.js (an optional file) and prefs.js - User preference settings. Not recommended to transfer if you had problems in your old profile. You may need to manually edit the paths in prefs.js to reflect the new profile location. If the new profile doesn't have the same extensions, you may have some unused preferences set by those extensions, but that usually doesn't harm anything.

Security certificate settings:

  • cert8.db (cert9.db in Firefox 58 and above)

Session storage:

Spelling corrections:

Site specific settings (e.g. Page Zoom):

  • content-prefs.sqlite (Firefox 3 only).

Folders

Note: You can import an HTML backup file into any Firefox version. You can restore a JSON backup by opening the Library window, selecting "Import and Backup - Restore -> Choose File", and choosing one of the bookmark backup files in this folder.

  • extensions - Contains added themes and extensions. Not recommended to transfer if you had problems in your old profile. After copying this folder or its contents to the new profile, delete the "extensions.json", "extensions.sqlite", "extensions.ini", "extensions.cache" and "extensions.rdf" files (if found) from the profile folder. The needed files will be regenerated when you start Firefox. Note that some extensions store data in additional files in the profile, usually at the top of the directory. You'll need to move them separately.
  • searchplugins - Contains additional search engines, if you've added any to Firefox.

See also

External links