![Firefox logo](https://assets-prod.sumo.prod.webservices.mozgcp.net/media/uploads/products/2020-04-14-08-36-13-8dda6f.png)
Restore Deleted Passwords
I accidentally deleted all of my saved passwords from my old computer not realizing I deleted the passwords from my Mozilla profile. When I logged into my new computer all of my passwords are gone. How can I recover my passwords?
Všechny odpovědi (5)
Do you still have access to the old computer?
I do! I'm using it as a business computer and thought I'd delete my personal information since my employees have access to it now. Didn't realize I could've just signed out instead of deleting all my passwords and bookmarks.
Hi PSUbeard, I suggest trying to mine the password files out of a restore point and using those to replace the current files. This is slightly complicated for a number of reasons, but let's see whether we can do it.
The idea is to retrieve files from a recent restore point without the damage that usually occurs from doing an actual system restore. I do not recommend using system restore.
On the old computer:
First, set Windows to show hidden files and folders:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14201/windows-show-hidden-files
Next, try one of these programs:
- ShadowExplorer: http://www.shadowexplorer.com/
- System Restore Explorer: http://nicbedford.co.uk/software/systemrestoreexplorer/
Within each restore point you check, you can explore along this path to see whether you can find the critical files:
\Users\your-user-name\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
You are looking for:
- logins.json
- key3.db
- key4.db (if present)
Copy the files out to the desktop as a set, since the key3.db/key4.db file is used to encrypt the passwords in logins.json.
On the new computer:
You'll want to removing the existing logins.json and key3.db/key4.db from your new profile folder. This may cause an issue with the certificates file, but you can afford to lose/regenerate that.
To open your current Firefox settings (AKA Firefox profile) folder, use either
- "3-bar" menu button > "?" Help > Troubleshooting Information
- (menu bar) Help > Troubleshooting Information
- type or paste about:support in the address bar and press Enter
In the first table on the page, on the Profile Folder row, click the "Open Folder" button. This should launch a new window listing various files and folders in Windows Explorer.
Leaving that window open, switch back to Firefox and Exit, either:
- "3-bar" menu button > Exit
- (menu bar) File > Exit
Pause while Firefox finishes its cleanup, then you can swap in the recovered files.
Start Firefox back up again. Does it find your logins?
I tried my best to follow all the steps. All the passwords were restored on my old laptop but when I log in to my new laptop, all the passwords are still not there. Am I missing a step?
Hmm, I think you have exhausted my knowledge of this feature. What do you think about using a Sync account to share data across between your two installations of Firefox? Please make backups on both ends in case something goes wrong...