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Profiles backup

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During a hard disc wipe, I made a copy of the profiles folder before re-installing Windows and Firefox. I copied the saved folder back to the profiles folder but either Firefox ignores it and creates another, or, if I rename the backup, the bookmarks don't appear and it still looks like a brand-new install. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

During a hard disc wipe, I made a copy of the profiles folder before re-installing Windows and Firefox. I copied the saved folder back to the profiles folder but either Firefox ignores it and creates another, or, if I rename the backup, the bookmarks don't appear and it still looks like a brand-new install. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

All Replies (4)

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You need to copy the contents of the old Profile folder into the new Profile folder, replacing the files that are in the new Profile folder. The name of the new Profile folder can't be changed - the old Profile name won't be recognized in the new installation, and Firefox will automatically create an additional Profile when it can't find the Profile name it expects to find.

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Thanks. I've done that also! The bookmarks appear the same as if I hadn't! I've just dragged the old files into the new profiles folder and I still have only the one or two new bookmarks instead of my backups.

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Make sure that you are in the right folder.

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information > Profile Directory: Open Containing Folder
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Yes, thanks cor-el. I think this may be the problem.