How to modify FF .ini file to move the profile folder on a different location ?
Hi,
I was reading this forum post on how to move a Firefox profile folder on a different location: the suggested modification is the same found on some other articles dating back many years.
Now a default Firefox installation contains an .ini file whose structure is changed as you can see in this image
The old file structure can be seen in this image.
Can someone suggest the right .ini file modifications to move the profile to a different folder?
Thank You.
Modified by glfirex
Chosen solution
Hi, safest is to use the Profile Manager or the about:support page to create a new profile in the preferred location. Best is to create this folder beforehand and use the "Choose Folder" button to select this folder.
You can copy certain files with Firefox closed to the current profile folder to transfer or recover personal data. Note that best is to avoid copying a full profile folder.
- 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)
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.
- Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Folder/Directory:
Windows: Open Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data
All Replies (3)
Chosen Solution
Hi, safest is to use the Profile Manager or the about:support page to create a new profile in the preferred location. Best is to create this folder beforehand and use the "Choose Folder" button to select this folder.
You can copy certain files with Firefox closed to the current profile folder to transfer or recover personal data. Note that best is to avoid copying a full profile folder.
- 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)
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.
- Help -> Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Folder/Directory:
Windows: Open Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder - https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data
Note that creating a profile this way will store all data that is currently in "AppData\Roaming" and "AppData\Local" in this profile.
Once you have copied your personal data to the new profile and have verified that it is working properly you can remove the old profile in both locations. Doing it this way is safer than modifying profiles.ini.
cor-el said
Note that creating a profile this way will store all data that is currently in "AppData\Roaming" and "AppData\Local" in this profile.
Merging the two Mozilla folders inside Local and Roaming directories is even better: since I have a lot of ram available, I created the new Firefox profile on a ramdisk to reduce writes to the Ssd disk, so they all now flow into the same folder.
Thanks.
Modified by glfirex