I would like to combine multiple profiles into a new computer. Which are the most important folder or files to migrate?
The user profile in my old computer somehow became corrupted and I can no longer access it to log on. Unfortunately I was not aware of the Firefox sync feature at the time. I used a new profile and had to start from scratch to save new bookmarks and extensions/plugins. I did set up Firefox sync for this new profile. Now I have a brand new computer and desire to migrate the bookmarks to this new computer, including the original bookmarks in the old computer, as well as the bookmarks in the second profile. While I have located the profiles folder for each profile in my old computer (as well as extensions and plugin folders), the content of this folder is daunting. I would like to know which are the minimal folders I should select to migrate and would it be safe to simply copy and paste over the entire folder? Please note that I have also added new bookmarks into my new computer which I would not like erased. I hope these details are not convoluted.
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Firefox has two methods of bringing in bookmarks from another Firefox profile:
- Restore a backup (JSON files in the bookmarkbackups folder): this completely replaces what you have, so is not the first step
- Import from an HTML file: this is additive and will create an Imported Bookmarks folder or add them under Unsorted Bookmarks
Restore is best if you tag your bookmarks because the JSON format preserves tags. If tags are not important, then it's easier.
What I suggest is:
(1) Export your current bookmarks to the HTML format; you can reimport these later. See: Export Firefox bookmarks to an HTML file to back up or transfer bookmarks. Open the file in Firefox (it's a web page) to make sure it looks complete before proceed.
Next, get the bookmarkbackups folders from each of your old profiles that you want to restore, and look for the most-complete-looking JSON files (they will have the most recent dates and largest number of bookmarks indicated in the file name). Proceed from the smallest set to the largest, or oldest to newest; basically, restore the most important one last.
(2) Restore a backup, then export to HTML. This article has the steps for a restore: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer. Then export to HTML and check for completeness.
(3) Repeat #2 until you get to the last/most important restore. You don't need to export that one.
(4) Import the HTML files you've made throughout the process.
(5) In the Library dialog, reorganize. Firefox doesn't have a deduplicator, but you might find one or more extensions to do the job on the Add-ons site if you find a lot of overlap.
Make sense?
By the way, it is possible to transplant your entire working profile from the old computer to the new one if you like. That may be useful for reference, but if it's a different OS with different software installed, it could be a bit glitchy.
This post has a rough outline (presumably your old profile folder will be on shared or removable media rather than on the desktop): https://support.mozilla.org/questions/995860#answer-560137
If you are logged on to a Windows account with Administrator privileges then you should be able to access other Windows accounts and retrieve files from that account.
- C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>\
Note that the "AppData" folder in Windows Vista and later Window 7+ versions and the "Application Data" folder in XP/Win2K are hidden folders.
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox
See also: