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Bookmark backup to import to new PC

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  • Last reply by cor-el

JJEULER
JJEULER
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Which format is full and best (saved in *.json & *.html) to backup Bookmarks for import to new PC? The *.html file much larger. Saved on external thumb drive.

What is "Other Bookmarks" folder? Do these need to be backed up? Using Firefox version 93.0 (64bit) Windows 10

Jake

Which format is full and best (saved in *.json & *.html) to backup Bookmarks for import to new PC? The *.html file much larger. Saved on external thumb drive. What is "Other Bookmarks" folder? Do these need to be backed up? Using Firefox version 93.0 (64bit) Windows 10 Jake

Chosen solution

Both formats are full in a sense that they have all the bookmarks and folders. They only differ in metadata as the HTML backup is rather basic and only has the title and URL. The JSON format is a complete image of the bookmarks as stored in places.sqlite and restoring such a backup completely rebuilds the bookmarks although you need to visit a bookmark to make Firefox store its favicon in favicons.sqlite. So best is to use a JSON backup if you want to transfer bookmarks.

You can also transfer data directly by copying the involved databases from one profile folder to a profile on another device. Note that best is to avoid copying a full profile folder.

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

  • bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
  • favicons: favicons.sqlite
  • bookmark backups: compressed .jsonlz4 JSON backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
  • cookies.sqlite for the Cookies
  • formhistory.sqlite for saved autocomplete Form Data
  • logins.json (encrypted logins;32+) and key4.db (decryption key;58+) for Passwords saved in the Password Manager
    key3.db support ended in 73+; to use key3.db in 58-72, make sure to remove key4.db
  • cert9.db (58+) for (intermediate) certificates stored in the Certificate Manager
  • persdict.dat for words added to the spell checker dictionary
  • permissions.sqlite for Permissions and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for other website specific data (Site Preferences)
  • sessionstore.jsonlz4 for open tabs and pinned tabs (see also the sessionstore-backups folder)
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cor-el
cor-el
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  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Both formats are full in a sense that they have all the bookmarks and folders. They only differ in metadata as the HTML backup is rather basic and only has the title and URL. The JSON format is a complete image of the bookmarks as stored in places.sqlite and restoring such a backup completely rebuilds the bookmarks although you need to visit a bookmark to make Firefox store its favicon in favicons.sqlite. So best is to use a JSON backup if you want to transfer bookmarks.

You can also transfer data directly by copying the involved databases from one profile folder to a profile on another device. Note that best is to avoid copying a full profile folder.

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

  • bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
  • favicons: favicons.sqlite
  • bookmark backups: compressed .jsonlz4 JSON backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
  • cookies.sqlite for the Cookies
  • formhistory.sqlite for saved autocomplete Form Data
  • logins.json (encrypted logins;32+) and key4.db (decryption key;58+) for Passwords saved in the Password Manager
    key3.db support ended in 73+; to use key3.db in 58-72, make sure to remove key4.db
  • cert9.db (58+) for (intermediate) certificates stored in the Certificate Manager
  • persdict.dat for words added to the spell checker dictionary
  • permissions.sqlite for Permissions and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for other website specific data (Site Preferences)
  • sessionstore.jsonlz4 for open tabs and pinned tabs (see also the sessionstore-backups folder)