If you add the .json extension to it, does it work then? Why do people who design browsers or extensions make them create files with no extension names, in spite of the fact that those extension names are essential to make the files restorable? I never could understand that.

Your browser may be set up to not show known file extensions.

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

Where would I find a setting to make a browser show file extensions? I have found it annoying when extensions save files without extensions, even though those extension names are needed to make the file usable.

finitarry said

Where would I find a setting to make a browser show file extensions?

Open the file browser. Select Tools > Folder Options. Choose View. Turn off Hide File Extensions For Known File Types.

If you manually create a JSON or HTML backup then you have to add the correct file extension yourself if it is missing in the Save dialog file picker (i.e. Firefox didn't supply it automatically).

Thanks all for your suggestions, much appreciated!

I fixed this problem by Right Clicking on the file, picking Properties, and right there first thing under the General tab is the file name. I just clicked on the end and added the .json extension to it. Worked!

Then in Firefox: Bookmarks/Show All Bookmarks/Import and Backup/Restore and click on "Choose File.." Pick the file from wherever it's saved, and your done. -s

I do not see Folder Options in Preferences, or the Tools menu, or the View menu. It is not in any of the other menus either. Maybe it is not present in Mac Mozilla applications? I saw nothing like that in about:config also. If you mean the shell of the operating system, I do not hide file extensions.

I remember having a problem with the old Opera browser because it refused to put in the extension name for its own type of bookmarks, and would not put in the filename for .html bookmarks. I never remember having such a problem with Firefox backing up bookmarks. I have a problem with Adblock Plus not adding .ini to the file that stores a backup of the filters, even though it will not work without that.

This is under Bookmarks/Show All Bookmarks...giveit a try...

Even if the bookmarks window did have such an option, it would not help with Adblock Plus. Firefox itself puts the .json extension on the bookmarks backup.