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Set Firefox Profile Folder in Windows Places Bar

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  • Last reply by John99

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I'd like to set Firefox Profile Folder as an item in Windows Places Bar.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85487-common-file-dialog-box-customize-places-bar.html

Is there a way to set the item to "Firefox Profile" (i.e. NOT "xyxyxy.default") without changing the folder's name?

Thank you.

I'd like to set Firefox Profile Folder as an item in Windows Places Bar. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85487-common-file-dialog-box-customize-places-bar.html Is there a way to set the item to "Firefox Profile" (i.e. NOT "xyxyxy.default") without changing the folder's name? Thank you.

All Replies (7)

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Hi Yaron,

Are you sure you want to do this and if so why ??

There may be better and easier options.

I try not to use Windows but from the linked article it looks as if then name can not be customised in the Windows Places Bar.

It is possible to rename the name as displayed in the Firefox Profile Manager. If you use Firefox's profile manager to do that the folder name itself remains unchanged. (It is usually considered good practice to avoid renaming the profiles though.)

As for the better and easier options. If you want to find the current profile it may be found from

It is also possible to modify the folder names of the profiles but that needs even more knowledge and care.

Most users rarely go to the Firefox Profile, other than when backing it up.
Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles

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Hi John,

Thank you for the detailed explanation.

Is it possible to rename the folder to "Firefox Profile" WITHOUT the random characters?

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What might be the disadvantage in manually changing 'profiles.ini' in C:\Users\---\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox?

Thanks.

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You can create a new folder to be used for the Firefox profile folder yourself and use the Profile Manager to make Firefox use this new and empty folder via the Choose Folder button when you create a new profile.
It is better not to rename an existing profile on the hard drive.

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You ask, What might be the disadvantage in manually changing 'profiles.ini' in C:\Users\---\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox?

I also recommend against it unless you fully understand what you are doing

  • You could accidentally cause Firefox to use a new default profile. Deleting or disabling profiles.ini is a test method we employ to partially reset Firefox.
    • passwords and bookmarks would be at least temporarily unavailable
    • mismatches between profile names and folder names can lead to confusion resulting in inadvertent and permanent deletion of data & passwords etc.
  • I also worry what other potential damage is possible modifying the rest of the profile folder.

Most users will avoid editing profiles.ini directly. I routinely edit mine but still take the precaution of having working backups I may rename if I need to.

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Thank you John and cor-el. I appreciate your help.

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You are welcome, glad we were able to help.