How do I restore my Firefox Browser to its previous settings?
Okay, I was doing some stuff online that involved downloading. After I was done with that, my browser automatically shut down on its own. When I opened it back up, the page that came up wasn't my normal home page but instead a Firefox page that said something about "You have the latest updated version of Firefox" and also had a button in the center of the screen that said "Refresh my browser" or something similar to that. It definitely said "Refresh" as the first part. Anyways, I thought since it came up, there was a problem with my Firefox browser and I needed to refresh it. As a result, all of my old settings have now been put into a folder titled "Old Firefox Data", and when I try to bring up a Firefox browser, it has reverted to an old version as if I just downloaded it today. I've tried updating the new thing to have my old settings, but every time I close and reopen it, it has reset itself each time. To make matters worse, I have tried going to regular websites that I always use like Facebook, and it tries to open them but never really does. I'll see it working, but then it never fully connects or changes pages. It's as if the new "refreshed" browser can't retain any changes nor can take me to other websites. So bottom line, how do I take that folder of "old Firefox data" and restore it to my browser so that it all works normal again like it used to?! Please help!!!
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The Reset/Refresh feature does not have a one-step undo option, unfortunately.
As you know, Reset/Refresh copies your settings (profile) folder to the desktop into a folder named "Old Firefox Data". Check inside "Old Firefox Data" folder for a folder with a semi-randomized name. If there's only one, that probably has your old settings and add-ons. If there's more than one, you'll want to work with the one that was updated most recently.
Once you have identified the profile folder you want to restore, here is my suggested "old profile resurrection procedure":
Overview
These are the steps:
- Create a new Firefox profile
- Remove everything from that new profile folder
- Copy in everything from the old profile folder
Create a new Firefox profile (Windows)
Exit Firefox and start up in the Profile Manager using the Start > search box (or Run which you can call up using Windowskey+r):
firefox.exe -P
Note: Any time you want to switch profiles, exit Firefox and return to this dialog.
Click the Create Profile button, assign a name like OldSettings, and skip the option to change the folder location. Then select that new profile in the dialog and start Firefox.
Open the New Profile folder in Windows Explorer
Firefox in the new profile should look like a factory fresh installation. Open the Troubleshooting Information page using either:
- "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
- Help menu > Troubleshooting Information
- type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter
In the first table, click the "Show Folder" button. Firefox will launch your brand new profile folder in Windows Explorer.
Leaving that folder open, switch back to Firefox, and Exit. When Firefox closes, the profile folder should be front and center, or you can activate it using the Task bar.
Copy Old Data in Place of New
In that new profile folder, select all the contents and delete.
Leaving that window open, open or switch over to your Old Firefox Data folder. Drill down into your old profile folder. At this level you should see a folder named bookmarkbackups among other things.
Select everything (Ctrl+a) and Copy (either right-click > Copy or Ctrl+c).
Switch to the empty new profile folder in other window and Paste (either right-click > Paste or Ctrl+v). This may take a minute since some of the files are large.
Start Firefox
Firefox should start up in that new profile with the resurrected old profile data. Success?
It is possible that your security software (firewall, anti-virus) blocks or restricts Firefox or the plugin-container process without informing you, possibly after detecting changes (update) to the Firefox program.
Remove all rules for Firefox and the plugin-container from the permissions list in the firewall and let your firewall ask again for permission to get full, unrestricted, access to install for Firefox and the plugin-container process and the updater process.
See:
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