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My laptop got stolen. How do I restore my old bookmarks on my brand new laptop ?

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  • Last reply by John99

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I used the Sync feature on my previous (stolen) laptop. And I had a lot of important links and bookmarks on it. I am hoping with Sync on the new laptop I have bought I'll be able to restore it all. Is there any way this can be done ?

Since I don't have the main (original) Sync'd laptop with me how do I add this new laptop to my Mozzila Sync account ? It is possible that the thief formatted the hard-disc. In that case I might anyway lose the Sync data if it got updated after formatting... In any case, I must try and add this new laptop to my a/c.

I used the Sync feature on my previous (stolen) laptop. And I had a lot of important links and bookmarks on it. I am hoping with Sync on the new laptop I have bought I'll be able to restore it all. Is there any way this can be done ? Since I don't have the main (original) Sync'd laptop with me how do I add this new laptop to my Mozzila Sync account ? It is possible that the thief formatted the hard-disc. In that case I might anyway lose the Sync data if it got updated after formatting... In any case, I must try and add this new laptop to my a/c.

Chosen solution

Unfortunately, without your Sync key (formerly known as the Recovery key), the data you stored with Mozilla is supposed to be safe even from you...

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You can definitely try Sync. Sync is currently undergoing maintenance so please do try it when Sync is working properly in about 24-48 hours.

Thanks!

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If that stolen computer would be formatted, I doubt if the thief or whoever would do the formatting would have the wherewithal to save your Sync user name, your Sync password, and the Sync key before they did the reformat - and without those three things no one can access your Sync account to be able to "update" or wipe your data from the Sync server.

See this support article to learn how to add the new laptop to your Sync account:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-a-device-to-firefox-sync#w_add-another-computer

You will need your Sync user name (email address), your Sync password, and the Sync Key (aka Recovery Key) that was generated when you first setup your Sync Account. If you don't have those three items, you won't be able to recover your data from the Sync server.

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Thanks for some quick replies. I went through the link provided. I stumbled upon the recovery key, which I don't have. On this webpage (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/ive-lost-my-firefox-sync-account-information#w_ive-lost-my-recovery-key) there is a warning that is quite scary. How do I go about it.

I wish I had known about recovery key. But then of course I would not have imagined the laptop to get stolen.

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Chosen Solution

Unfortunately, without your Sync key (formerly known as the Recovery key), the data you stored with Mozilla is supposed to be safe even from you...

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That article tells you that if you generate a new Key, your data will be erased from the Sync server.

If you don't have the correct Recovery Key you can't retrieve your data. That Key is the encryption for your data which is stored on the Sync server.

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Alrighty then. I'm doomed. Thanks. :)

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Sync is intended to sync to a second device, and that device is then effectively your backup. Do you still have that second device ??

IIRC development of sync has ceased and a replacement will; If my understanding is correct; probably allow you to back up to a server.