Do password files differ between Firefox versions?
The page "Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data" (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data) seems to give different information (without identifying that that's what it's doing) depending on the Firefox version being used.
With v27, it says that signons.sqlite is one (1) of two (2) files where passwords are kept, but, with v39, it says that logins.json is such a file. (Both say that key3.db is the other file.)
First, why do the descriptions differ...and without explanation?
Second, if I'm going from a v39 machine to a v27 machine, and want my passwords to transfer over, I THOUGHT that backing up, and restoring, my profile would do the job, but, because of what I wrote above, it didn't.
Can you please advise me/us about this? Why are the files different? Why does the same page say different things without noting that that's what it's doing? How can I bring v39 passwords to a v27 machine?
Thanks, Bram Weiser
Chosen solution
Try installing an older version, like from when Firefox 27 was still supported. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/password-exporter/versions/
Version 1.2.1.1-signed - is probably the newest version which is usable by Firefox 27; later versions are for Firefox 38 and later.
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The formats have changed over time, yes. I'm not sure it pays to research the "why" part, but presumably it would be in the bug tracking system if you want to look it up. On the Firefox 32 release notes page, look for the link to the "complete list of changes": https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/32.0/releasenotes/
I don't think Firefox has any built-in export/import tool for passwords. Firefox 27 is too old now to sync with Firefox 39+. There might be add-ons or external tools that could do it that work across versions. (I haven't searched...)
Why Firefox 27 ??
See also:
- Password Exporter: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/password-exporter/
It is possible to import a signons.sqlite file in current releases via signon.importedFromSqlite, but you can't do the opposite and copy logins.json and key3.db files from a current release to an older release because that version doesn't about the JSON format of logins.json.
Thank you, jscher2000 and cor-el, for responding so quickly.
jscher2000, the v27 is (I'll presume) an unintended byproduct of upgrading PCs here from my previous WinXP model to one that's Win7. (Yes, I know Win7 is officially obsolete, but the choice of OS isn't mine to make. :-) )
So, while I work to get an updated Firefox version installed here in place of v27, that's the one I'm working with. It's NOT like I WANTED to downgrade the browser. :-)
I'm just surprised that they went so far as to change which file(s) get used between versions for the same purpose. People backup and restore profiles all the time specifically because they (we) want to save time, and have peace of mind, when changing computers (and, credit where it's due, the concept of profiles that can be backed up from one PC and restored to another is a BIG help in that regard). However, that the process doesn't always (as in my case) seem to work as originally intended is, it would appear, a bug in the system...
Thanks again, Bram
Windows 7 Extended support runs through January 14, 2020. WinXP reached EOL over a year and a half ago, but Mozilla still supports WinXP. So there's no reason to use the old Firefox 27 version for 'compatibility' purposes - the latest Firefox 41 version works fine on WinXP and it's noticeably faster that the Firefox 28 and earlier versions.
As far as the differences in the password files goes, there shouldn't be a problem with moving a Profile from [say] Firefox 27 to Firefox 41 if the Fx 41 has a basically unused Profile with no passwords. Going backwards to before Firefox 32 isn't possible; Mozilla just doesn't support backwards compatibility when files are changed like that.
Thanks, the-edmeister.
As I mentioned above, this isn't happening by choice. If the new machine already had a later version of Firefox, then that's what I'd be using. It's not like I chose a downgrade to v27...
So, for a big-picture solution, either I'd need to download/install an upgrade myself, or see if tech support here can do that for me (due to administrator rights issues, etc.)
I'm just trying to deal with the situation I'm given (e.g., the "much" earlier version of Firefox on an upgraded OS) the best I can.
Thanks again, Bram
cor-el said
See also:
- Password Exporter: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/password-exporter/
Thanks, cor-el, but, when I try to "add this on", I learn that it's "Not Available for Firefox 27.0." Do you know of a different, but also reliable, add-on that does much the same thing, and is compatible with v27 & v39?
Thanks again, Bram
Chosen Solution
Try installing an older version, like from when Firefox 27 was still supported. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/password-exporter/versions/
Version 1.2.1.1-signed - is probably the newest version which is usable by Firefox 27; later versions are for Firefox 38 and later.
Thanks again, the-edmeister.
Hopefully, having the earlier version on the "recipient" PC, and the later (current) one on the "sending" PC will work as intended.
Thanks again, Bram
Hi, again,
I just wanted all correspondents to know that I followed your advice and exported/imported passwords between the two machines and they seem(!) to have transferred successfully.
Many thanks to all of you for all of your valuable answers and advice!
Sincerely, Bram Weiser