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The following funtions do not and have not worked for a long time:

1) Deleting web history: nothing works to delete websites either individually, for time periods or using any other decision criteria

2) Organizing bookmarks alphabetically: None of the suggestions or procedures listed as a method to do so work. I've tried several times-no result.

3) Recovering open webpages after an update or any other time. This doesn't work either. Last time I tried, the only thing that worked was to search history and reactivate the website.

It's hard to understand why none of these funtions, which used to work, no longer do so. I'm seriously contemplating using another browser.

A disappointed customer.

The following funtions do not and have not worked for a long time: 1) Deleting web history: nothing works to delete websites either individually, for time periods or using any other decision criteria 2) Organizing bookmarks alphabetically: None of the suggestions or procedures listed as a method to do so work. I've tried several times-no result. 3) Recovering open webpages after an update or any other time. This doesn't work either. Last time I tried, the only thing that worked was to search history and reactivate the website. It's hard to understand why none of these funtions, which used to work, no longer do so. I'm seriously contemplating using another browser. A disappointed customer.

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If you use Sync then best is to disconnect Sync temporarily during troubleshooting.

This could be a problem with the places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder.

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

If errors are reported with "Verify Integrity", close and restart Firefox or reboot and retry.

If "Verify Integrity" cannot repair places.sqlite, rename/remove all places.sqlite and favicons.sqlite files in the Firefox profile folder with Firefox closed. Firefox will rebuild places.sqlite and restore the bookmarks from the most recent JSON backup in the bookmarkbackups folder.

  • keep a backup copy of places.sqlite in case a new places.sqlite database has to be created
  • you lose the history when a new places.sqlite is created

You may have to restore an older bookmarks backup in the bookmarkbackups folder via the Bookmarks Manager (Library).

See also:

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

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I read the suggested procedures but have no idea what the documentation is saying. How about some plain english for the user who is not a tech support person.