Bookmarks lost with new version. Reset to default. Located old bookmarks but will not open-needs program.
I automatically updated to the newest Firefox version. My bookmarks were lost. I had two profiles. I tried to return to the Old? profile. I then reset the profile to default. I searched for my old bookmarks and found the bookmarks, but when I clicked on a previous date, the program asked which program would I use to open? I tried MsWord but it wouldn't open. I forgot how I found the old bookmarks.
Please tell me 1. How to find the old Bookmarks
2. How to download them.
3. Can I download the bookmarks from a saved data file from my mirror backups.
4. Can I save the bookmarks in a data file in case this occurs again?
5. Did Resetting to default erase the bookmarks?
Thank you ,Robin
All Replies (6)
What was the name of the file you found? If it had a name similar to
bookmarks-2014-05-19_5350.json (last number is your bookmark count)
then you can use Firefox's Restore feature to replace your current (blank) bookmarks with the bookmarks in the backup file.
This article has the steps: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer
If you found a different kind of file, what is it?
To address some of your other questions:
Firefox's Reset feature is designed to retain your bookmarks. However, if your disk is very full or your bookmark backups were empty or unreadable, the Reset may leave you with no bookmarks.
After a Reset, your previously active profile folder is moved to your desktop and placed in a folder named Old Firefox Data. Please check in there for a folder named bookmarkbackups.
If you also had an inactive profile folder, to check in there, you can paste this in the Start menu search box and press Enter:
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
Hopefully your missing bookmarks are in one of those two places.
Please do not delete any old profile data until you are sure you've recovered everything you need.
You can also check for problems with the places.sqlite database file in the Firefox profile folder.
- http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Bookmarks+not+saved#w_fix-the-bookmarks-file
- Places Maintenance: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/places-maintenance/
I am not adept enough t o use your reply. I am not computer savvy. Could someone give me a step by step answer? I looked for my bookmarks again, and they seem to be lost forever becasue I reset to default. Is this true? Fifteen years of bookmarks gone! I will not forgive the geeks at Mozilla who can't make something as easy as Bookmarking a site so complicated.
The present method took away the words that allowed one to know what step you were in when bookmarking-now everything is symbols-great for geeks who speak the code, but for the rest of the world who speak a common language a confusing mess! Where is the benefit in this new version?
Dear Sir,
I found the Older backups as you said on the desktop. But I still don't know how to access them.
If I just click on them, what do I do next? Please tell me exact;y.
Thank you for your clarity.
Robin
Okay! Once you have the backup file, I suggest making a copy in a more convenient location, such as on the Desktop itself.
You're just going to leave that file there and access it through Firefox.
Back in Firefox, open up the Library dialog using either:
- Ctrl+Shift+b
- Bookmarks menu > Show All Bookmarks
This article has the steps for what to do next: Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer.
Please note: on the menu that lists your available backups, go to the end and use "Choose File". In the dialog that opens, go to your desktop to get the backup you want.
Any luck?