changing account password
I've been attempting to snyc my desktop PC Firefox with my laptop Firefox. In the process, I'm able to log into my account on the PC, but none of the saved passwords I have for my account work. I am not able to see the current password on my PC account and am not able to change it without losing my data. In attempting to change the password, I used the Recovery Key which I had save some time ago but find that it is expired. In clinking on the options to generate a new key from within my account, nothing happens. How can I find or change the original account password and or generate a new recovery key after removing the old one? My primary desktop PC poses no problem in terms of access to my data etc. I am not able to see the password and consequently I am not able to sync my laptop without it.
All Replies (4)
Do Not change the sync password. Resetting the sync password, or changing its e-mail, will remove all data from the servers.
The data in your profiles will not be affected.
Type about:preferences#security<enter> in the address box. Look under Logins,
Note: For Firefox v56+ its; about:preferences#privacy Look under Forms & Passwords Or type about:logins<enter> in the address box (For settings, click the 3 dots upper right) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Turn on Remember Logins. To check the passwords you have listed, press Saved Logins.
One of the first entries should read: chrome://FirefoxAccounts
In the event that the passwords information is lost, you should record all information in a separate text file somewhere else on your hard drive, or written down. You can easily copy and paste if you need to do so. If you are concerned about someone else looking at that file, you can compress it using a password.
I'm still not able to see my current password within Firefox; unable to set up a new access key code. I've copied my bookmarks to another browser but am still unsure about what to do next with a view towards account recovery. Somehow the prospect of losing ones data simply through changing your account password seems a bit backward, especially when your ID can be confirmed through email and a variety of other means. I have no idea why the keycode I created and stored is not being accepted - ie; obsolete. What a perfectly vicious circle. You can't change your key without the current password which you can't see and can't change without losing your data.
Modified by kmass3
See also:
You can backup certain files in the current profile folder with Firefox closed to have a backup of your personal data.
- bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
- favicons: favicons.sqlite
- bookmark backups: compressed .jsonlz4 JSON backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
- cookies.sqlite for the Cookies
- formhistory.sqlite for saved autocomplete Form Data
- logins.json (encrypted logins;32+) and key4.db (decryption key;58+) for Passwords saved in the Password Manager
key3.db support ended in 73+; to use key3.db in 58-72, make sure to remove key4.db - cert9.db (58+) for (intermediate) certificates stored in the Certificate Manager
- persdict.dat for words added to the spell checker dictionary
- permissions.sqlite for Permissions and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for other website specific data (Site Preferences)
- sessionstore.jsonlz4 for open tabs and pinned tabs (see also the sessionstore-backups folder)