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I signed in to sync after resetting my computer and firefox password and it won't bring back my bookmarks or settings.

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by cor-el

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I recently had to "refresh" my computer and redownload firefox. I couldn't remember my firefox sync password, so I reset it. Then, after it said it was syncing, nothing happened. I checked the forums and apparently there is a danger of one's information being deleted on a password reset, but I didn't see any warning of this at all when I was resetting the password. Is there any possible way to get my bookmarks back? I had several hundred, and many were for academic work I have been working towards for years. Thank you for any assistance you may be able to provide.

I recently had to "refresh" my computer and redownload firefox. I couldn't remember my firefox sync password, so I reset it. Then, after it said it was syncing, nothing happened. I checked the forums and apparently there is a danger of one's information being deleted on a password reset, but I didn't see any warning of this at all when I was resetting the password. Is there any possible way to get my bookmarks back? I had several hundred, and many were for academic work I have been working towards for years. Thank you for any assistance you may be able to provide.

Chosen solution

When you reset the password of the Sync account then this has removed all data on the Sync server because the internally used Sync key that is used to encrypt/decrypt this data is generated from the password of the Sync key. So unfortunately your personal data is lost unless you have a local backup, possibly are a previous (shadow). copy in an C:\Windows.old folder.

  • C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\

"AppData" (XP: Application Data; Mac: ~/Library; Linux: ~/.mozilla) is a hidden folder.

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These can't get your data back, but will help in the future.

These add-ons can be a great help by backing up and restoring Firefox

FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) {web link} FEBE allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions, history, passwords, and more. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up -- It will actually rebuild your saved files individually into installable .xpi files. It will also make backup of files that you choose.

OPIE {web link} Import/Export extension preferences

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Thanks for the add-on tip. I'm gonna see if my old data back ups have at least some of my bookmarks. I appreciate the prompt advice, and wish I had known about it sooner. I'll definitely let my friends know about it as well.

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Chosen Solution

When you reset the password of the Sync account then this has removed all data on the Sync server because the internally used Sync key that is used to encrypt/decrypt this data is generated from the password of the Sync key. So unfortunately your personal data is lost unless you have a local backup, possibly are a previous (shadow). copy in an C:\Windows.old folder.

  • C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\

"AppData" (XP: Application Data; Mac: ~/Library; Linux: ~/.mozilla) is a hidden folder.

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That worked like a charm; had the old backup saved to just that folder. Thank you so much for your help!

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You're welcome