What happens, exactly?

First problem usually is that the Import item is missing. There is a section at the bottom of the article titled "How do I enable this feature?" with the steps for that: Import login and password data from a file.

Second problem is if the file format doesn't match what Firefox can understand. Normally when you export from the Logins and Passwords page, the file format is .csv so I'm not sure how you got a .json file. What is in that file if you look at the converted version?

Import from a file is not an option unless I knew lots more about what I was doing. It's been disabled. Files came from a Carbonite backup when I got a new computer and things are stored in JSON. I can't get to them and Carbonite and I'm missing an app. Trying to figure out what is frustrating. Right now I want my passwords back, only got a few transferred and the rest are in JSON although I converted them to .CSV, but that doesn't get them into use.

Carbonite said I'm missing an app

Okay, in your Carbonite app -- does it show individual files like Windows' File Explorer? -- do you see these:

• logins.json
• key4.db

Those files are like a lock and key containing your saved logins.

You can copy certain files with Firefox closed to the current profile folder to transfer or recover personal data. 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.

• Help -> More Troubleshooting Information -> Profile Folder/Directory:
  Windows: Open Folder; Linux: Open Directory; Mac: Show in Finder
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data

Location used for the main profile that keeps your personal data (Root Directory on about:profiles).

• C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile>

• 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)

To jscher

I am so not able to do this. I got to the Help/More troubleshooting and then opened the folder, but got lost after that. I hired some tech help yesterday and he said I couldn't get to passwords, period, after he tried something. Carbonite says it's Mozilla or my computer lacking something. Sorry. I'm frustrated and whining. You think another tech person might be better at unraveling?

I want to circle back to what files you have from your Carbonite backup. Do you have both the old logins.json file, and the old key4.db file from the same folder? You need both, lock and key.

When you open your currently active Firefox profile folder, you will find two files with the identical names that you can replace with the two old files. Here are the steps in more detail:

Arrange Source Folder on the Left

Place Carbonite or File Explorer -- wherever you plan to copy the old files from -- on the left side of the screen.

Open Destination Folder on the Right

Inside Firefox, open your current Firefox settings (AKA Firefox profile) folder using either

• "3-bar" menu button > "?" Help > More Troubleshooting Information
• (menu bar) Help > More Troubleshooting Information
• type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter

In the first table on the page, find the Profile Folder row. Click the "Open Folder" button on that row to open the folder in File Explorer.

Position this destination folder on the right side of the screen.

Exit Firefox

Leaving that window open, switch back to Firefox and Exit, either:

• "3-bar" menu button > Exit
• (menu bar) File > Exit

Pause for 10 seconds while Firefox finishes its cleanup.

Rename Unwanted Files

I suggest renaming rather than deleting just in case those windows aren't arranged the way we think.

In the destination window on the right side, right-click logins.json, click Rename, then add OLD so it reads loginsOLD.json and press Enter or click away to save the change.

In the destination window on the right side, right-click key4.db, click Rename, then add OLD so it reads key4OLD.db and press Enter or click away to save the change.

Copy/Paste from Source to Destination

In the window on the left side, copy the old logins.json and key4.db files. If they are in File Explorer, you can right-click > Copy and individual file. I don't know about Carbonite.

In the window on the right side, right-click a blank area of the file listing and Paste. Windows should not give you any errors or messages. If there is any kind of strange reaction, pause and let us know what it says.

Once you have completed both paste operations you're ready to restart Firefox and check the Logins and Passwords page to see whether Firefox is able to use the old files.

P.S. It's normal that Windows doesn't know what to do with a .json file. Since you do not need to edit the file, don't worry about that.

Well, something went right and a miracle happened, but I'm not entirely sure how! I got part way through following your directions and then checked back on something in one of the articles and basically bumbled around trying to get back. Turned the browser off, checked back in and got prepared to start again after changing profiles and looking for key3 instead of 4. For whatever reason,the passwords reappeared without several keeping up with recent changes. Fine by me! Some combination of your help and Mozilla articles and messing around brainlessly with great luck worked.

Now, for my next ordeal I have an old printer that i lost ability to link with since the last restore sees it as an unspecified device. Gonna go check that and see if it's usable now and if not I'll try your path to correct things. Thanks!