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Bookmarks & Passwords from damaged Windows login

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  • 1 hat dit probleem
  • 9 werjeftes
  • Lêste antwurd fan FredMcD

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I used some software that damaged one of the Windows user accounts (a local account, not a Microsoft one). I can no longer open Firefox to export the bookmarks. However, from another Windows login I am able to access the profile files, where a page on this site (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data) says they are stored. I copied both folders to the desktop of the other user account. Now, how can I get Firefox to access the data in those files? I would like the passwords especially, but also the bookmarks if possible. I'm willing to open an entirely new user account on the computer, if that is required, and deposit the files there (I'll probably end up doing that anyway; the user account they came from is damaged beyond repair, and the one I'm using now is for business, not my personal use).

I used some software that damaged one of the Windows user accounts (a local account, not a Microsoft one). I can no longer open Firefox to export the bookmarks. However, from another Windows login I am able to access the profile files, where a page on this site (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data) says they are stored. I copied both folders to the desktop of the other user account. Now, how can I get Firefox to access the data in those files? I would like the passwords especially, but also the bookmarks if possible. I'm willing to open an entirely new user account on the computer, if that is required, and deposit the files there (I'll probably end up doing that anyway; the user account they came from is damaged beyond repair, and the one I'm using now is for business, not my personal use).

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When you are ready, we can start moving parts of your old data and Copy it to the new profile.


First; open your file browser to the New profile;

Type about:support<enter> in the address bar.

Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.

Windows: Show Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder

Linux: Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Directory. To its right press the button Open Directory.


Second, open another file browser to the folder on your desktop.


Warning ! ! Only Copy the files you are told. We will avoid anything that might cause problems. Here is the list of files;

cookies: cookies.sqlite Do not bother. Cookies will be created when you return to the website. However, you will have to log in everywhere. And you may lose any settings that websites store on your computer.

extensions(add-ons, themes): it would be better to download them fresh. If you need to remember what add-ons you had, open the extensions sub-folder and look at the .xpi files


logins.json and key3.db [v58+]key4.db : These are the password files. Copy Both !

persdict.dat : custom dictionary - words you added to the dictionary

mimeTypes.rdf [v55+]handlers.json : What to do with what type of file.

places.sqlite : History and Bookmarks.

prefs.js : Your settings. Note: If you were having problems, this could be contaminated.

cert8.db [v58+]cert9.db and possibly cert_override.txt : Stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Firefox. If removed, the cert8.db, cert9.db file will be replaced.

search.json.mozlz4 : file stores the user-installed search engines that are available in the Firefox v47+

search.sqlite file and searchplugins folder store the search engines that are available in the Firefox Search bar before Firefox v47


Copy these files from the old to the new. You may get a message that the files already exist. Choose to over-write for each file.