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My bookmarks arent available and say files are being used by other programs . have tried the fixes dont work .. is firefox looking for a fix????

  • 11 cavab
  • 4 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by MURRAY REX

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Fire fox decided to all of a sudden not show my book marks ... red line at top says that another program is using the files .. cant bookmark anything or see bookmarks ... have tried the fixes i found on line and nothing works ... and no I am not running Norton !! Come on firefox fix this problem please

Fire fox decided to all of a sudden not show my book marks ... red line at top says that another program is using the files .. cant bookmark anything or see bookmarks ... have tried the fixes i found on line and nothing works ... and no I am not running Norton !! Come on firefox fix this problem please

All Replies (11)

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Actually you are the 1st person with the issue.

Have you tried safe mode to see if that is a issue still : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode

It could be a Extension.

No idea really, you have send info to Mozilla turned off from within Firefox. Should turn it on before posting. As would have a list of your extensions to see what cold be the issue.

Instead please try Safe Mode.

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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I tried safe mode and still showed red line at top stating bookmarks and history not available as flies being used by another program ... as well I did refresh and still the same ... by the way I am not the first one having this problem ... have tried several things and still the same ...

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What security software do you have?

Boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support to see if that has effect in case security software is causing problems.


You can check for problems with the places.sqlite database (bookmarks and history) in the Firefox profile folder.

  • use "Verify Integrity" on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page

See also:

If "Verify Integrity" on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page can't repair the places.sqlite database then remove all places.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed to make Firefox rebuild the places.sqlite database from the most recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.

You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

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I have tried safe mode ... tried deleting places.sqlite I have tried everything ... nothing works ... still have same error ... running McAfee ... was running bit defender ... changed to McAfee to see if difference ,, none ..I think its a problem with your program ... I see when do a search that lots of people have this problem not only me ... firefox worked well for long time till last updates ..

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No one else has reported the issue in 57. If searching in Google any fixes that worked prior to 57+ do not work now.

uninstall Firefox. Then Delete the Mozilla Firefox Folders in C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files(x86) Then restart system. Then run Windows Disk Cleanup. Then run it again and click the button that says Cleanup System Files. Note: your Firefox Profile is saved. But you should make a back up before you do : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer

Reinstall with Current Release Firefox 57.0.2 with a Full Version Installer https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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Did everything as you asked and still have same problem .. frustrating .. I like firefox but may not be able to use it ... dont know what else to do .. and I had 57 before ... any more ideas ?

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You can use this utility to check what application is using the places.sqlite file.

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Tried it ... didnt show places.sqlite also did a search for that file and nothing showed up ...

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Can you see if you can do this please : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer If can then you have them.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data Copy the Profile folder out if it will let you and put aside.

If there are issues with the Profile below will create a New Profile. So then have it's old, your full copy to work with to try and get passwords and other things may want....or not.

Then follow this please : This is the best way to uninstall Firefox. Then Delete the Mozilla Firefox Folders in C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files(x86) Then restart system. Then run Windows Disk Cleanup. Then run it again and click the button that says Cleanup System Files. Note: your Firefox Profile is saved. But you should make a back up before you do : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles

Reinstall with Current Release Firefox 57.0.2 with a Full Version Installer https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/

Please let us know if this solved your issue or if need further assistance.

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I am having the same problem as medic3639 with the red banner saying "The bookmarks and history will not be functional ect" .on one of my pc's.

I have tried everything as well. I am using version 58. This has been like this for months now. Its annoying because i have no history or bookmarks. Are there any proven fixes.