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Oct 2017 Firefox Refresh lost all my saved passwords. HELP!

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  • 91 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

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I just completed the Oct 2017 Firefox Refresh, and now all my saved password are gone! Can I restore them ( don't have all of them documented) and why did they disappear?

I just completed the Oct 2017 Firefox Refresh, and now all my saved password are gone! Can I restore them ( don't have all of them documented) and why did they disappear?

Chosen solution

key3.db and logins.json : These are the Password files. Copy Both !

Open the folder in the Old Firefox folder with the latest date on it. Copy the above files into your current profile folder. Start Firefox. Are the passwords restored?

If not, try again with the other folder.


https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/password-exporter Password Exporter This extension allows you to export your saved passwords and disabled login hosts using XML or CSV files that can be imported later.

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All Replies (12)

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In the event that the passwords information is lost, you should record all information in a separate text file somewhere else on your hard drive, or written down. You can easily copy and paste if you need to do so. If you are concerned about someone else looking at that file, you can compress it using a password.


What about the rest of your profile [history, bookmarks, settings . . .] ?

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A couple of the settings were lost, but I was able to restore them. Bookmarks are all there, I had to reset the view toolbar, but all is fine.

Due to some recent physical restrictions with my hands, I only had about 1/3 of my passwords documented in a separate file. I was planning on documenting all of them once my hands healed.

Do you know if there any way to get them back? Even temporarily for me to document them. then delete?

Was/is this a security update due to the WP2 security issues? I also notice the new FF does not ask if you want to save the password any more.

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Thank you. I have not been able to restore my passwords yet. I believe these links are for PCWindows users, and I am on a Mac. Plus, they are a bit over my head. I will let you know if I get this figured out. Hope these links help other out there with the same issue on a PC.

With the hope that someone at FF reads these, I wish that there would have been a notification that stated that you will loose all saved passwords and setting. Instead, all it said was "It is highly recommended that you Refresh your Firefox." More information could have saved me hours of time and headache. Maybe I need to go back to Safari....

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Yes, Regarding the Old Firefox folder on my desktop. I see the 2 files in that folder, but can not figure out how to restore them... yet...

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Chosen Solution

key3.db and logins.json : These are the Password files. Copy Both !

Open the folder in the Old Firefox folder with the latest date on it. Copy the above files into your current profile folder. Start Firefox. Are the passwords restored?

If not, try again with the other folder.


https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/password-exporter Password Exporter This extension allows you to export your saved passwords and disabled login hosts using XML or CSV files that can be imported later.

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Where is my current profile folder stored? I have done a search and can not find it. I have an application Firefox.app but no folder. Can you tell me how to find it?

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I found it! It is buried in the Library folder which is HIDDEN! I have restored all passwords and am in the process of documenting now. Do you know if this was a glitch, or a security feature? Shold I not be saving my passwords in FF?

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Sometimes, things just go wrong.


I am glad to hear that your problem has been resolved. If you haven't already, please select the answer that solves the problem. This will help other users with similar problems find the solution more easily.

Thank you for contacting Mozilla Support.

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You can use the button on the "Help -> Troubleshooting Information" (about:support) page to go to the current Firefox profile folder or use the about:profiles page.

  • ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/<profile>/

In Mac OS X v10.7 and later, the ~/Library folder in the Home directory is a hidden folder.

See also:

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Using the 3 links FredMcD posted (and Googling a couple more) I was able to solve my issue. thank you Fred McD! Without your lead I would have not found the solution!

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Glad to help. Safe Surfing.