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Replace all blocked cookies after new install

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  • Last reply by Dale7683

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When Firefox recently stopped working (would not log on to Internet), I first uninstalled Firefox. Then I downloaded a new copy from the Internet (same version) and reinstalled from scratch. However, all my "blocked" cookies are now missing. I have the full list (of blocked cookies) in MSWord in case something like this happened but I don't know how to reasonably input the entire list back into the new copy of Firefox, other than a very tedious one at a time. Any help will be appreciated.

When Firefox recently stopped working (would not log on to Internet), I first uninstalled Firefox. Then I downloaded a new copy from the Internet (same version) and reinstalled from scratch. However, all my "blocked" cookies are now missing. I have the full list (of blocked cookies) in MSWord in case something like this happened but I don't know how to reasonably input the entire list back into the new copy of Firefox, other than a very tedious one at a time. Any help will be appreciated.

Chosen solution

Sounds like at some point in the process you used the Reset button.

Your old site-specific cookie blocks are in a database file named permissions.sqlite in the folder on your desktop. It contains a range of other site-specific permissions and settings (I can't recall all of the details off the top of my head), so if you have allowed plugins for particular sites, that would also be there.

You could replace your new (mostly blank) database with the old one and see how that goes. If the transplant fails, you can delete the database and Firefox will start building a new one.

If you want to try it, you can open your currently active profile folder using

Help > Troubleshooting Information > in the first table Show Folder button

After exiting Firefox, you can rename your current permissions.sqlite to something like permissions.old.

Then copy the permissions.sqlite from your old profile folder on your desktop into your new one.

After starting Firefox again, check your Exceptions dialog. Success?

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All Replies (4)

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When you uninstalled, did you remove all your personal data or might those files still be lingering somewhere?

The permissions database which stores site-specific cookie settings isn't readily edited. (In theory you could write a SQL APPEND query but this probably isn't any easier than using the Exception list dialog.)

Perhaps someone might have created an add-on to import a blocklist. Did you try searching on the Add-ons site? https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/

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Hello: Thanks for reply and information. As my first uninstall - reinstall didn't solve the problem, I tried again after "not" saving my preferences, and the second reinstall "seemed" to work fine. However, I did notice that my bookmarks and passwords were saved (???) and I do have an "Old" Firefox folder on my desktop. The blocked cookies, however, are gone. As previously mentioned, I do have a several page MSWord file of the blocked cookies. There didn't appear to be anything in the Add-Ons to help with this problem.

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Chosen Solution

Sounds like at some point in the process you used the Reset button.

Your old site-specific cookie blocks are in a database file named permissions.sqlite in the folder on your desktop. It contains a range of other site-specific permissions and settings (I can't recall all of the details off the top of my head), so if you have allowed plugins for particular sites, that would also be there.

You could replace your new (mostly blank) database with the old one and see how that goes. If the transplant fails, you can delete the database and Firefox will start building a new one.

If you want to try it, you can open your currently active profile folder using

Help > Troubleshooting Information > in the first table Show Folder button

After exiting Firefox, you can rename your current permissions.sqlite to something like permissions.old.

Then copy the permissions.sqlite from your old profile folder on your desktop into your new one.

After starting Firefox again, check your Exceptions dialog. Success?

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Thanks for your reply and information. Your solution worked just fine.