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Firefox

Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data

Revision Information

Revision id: 229841
Created: Oct 1, 2021, 7:22:33 AM
Creator: unixfan
Comment: Fixed grammar, rewrote the Linux section, and commented out Windows XP specific information
Reviewed: No
Ready for localization: No

Revision Source

Firefox stores the changes you make to it, such as your bookmarks and extensions, inside a folder called a
'''profile'''. Firefox stores your profile separately from its main installation for a few reasons:
* To prevent data loss if something goes wrong with the main program
* To allow you to uninstall Firefox without losing your information
* To allow you to wipe your information or troubleshoot a problem without reinstalling Firefox

__TOC__

= How do I find my profile? =
[[T:OpenProfileFolder]]

==Finding your profile without opening Firefox==
<!-- NO NOT RENAME OR REMOVE THIS SECTION! It's linked from Template:OpenProfileFolder (see discussion). --> 
{for win}
{for not winxp}
Firefox stores your profiles in this location on your computer, by default:<br>
<blockquote><code>C:\Users\<your Windows login username>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\</code></blockquote>
By default, Windows hides the {filepath AppData} folder. Follow these steps to find it:
{for win10}
# Press {key [[Image:Windows Key]]}+{key R} on the keyboard to open the Run dialog
# Type:<br><blockquote>'''%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\'''</blockquote>
# Click {button OK}.  A window will open that contains profile folders  
# Double-click the profile folder you want to open
{note} '''Note:''' The profile that Firefox automatically generates has ''.default'' appended to the profile name {/note}
{/for}
{for win8}
# From the Start Screen, click the '''Desktop''' tile to open the Desktop view
# From the Desktop, hover in the lower right-hand corner to access the Charms
# Select the {menu Search} charm to open the Search sidebar
# In the search box, type:<br><blockquote>'''%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\'''</blockquote> without pressing Enter. A list of profile folders will appear
# Click on the profile folder you want to open
{note} '''Note:''' The profile that Firefox automatically generates has ''.default'' appended to the profile name {/note}
{/for}
{for win7}
[[Video:5d8c651dca361ab3235be412ff6db401-1267819920-718-0]]
# Click the Windows {button Start} button to open the Start menu
# In the Search box at the bottom of the Start menu, type:<br><blockquote>'''%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\'''</blockquote> without pressing Enter. A list of profiles will appear at the top of the Start menu
# Click on the profile folder you want to open
{note} '''Note:''' The profile that Firefox automatically generates has ''.default'' appended to the profile name [[Image:ab167bec686b081a25849c98d6bf9ea7-1258940859-69-1.png]] {/note}
{/for}
*Alternatively, you can find your profile by pressing the {key [[Image:Windows Key]]} key and typing: <blockquote>'''%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\'''</blockquote>
{note}'''Note:''' To make windows show hidden files, such as the {filepath AppData} folder, follow these instructions: [https://support.microsoft.com/help/14201/windows-show-hidden-files Show hidden files - Windows Help]{/note}
{/for}
<!-- Windows XP no longer has support. Archive or remove this section.
{for winxp}
# Click the Windows {button Start} button, and select {menu Run…}.<br/> <br/>[[Image:win-run.png]]<br/>
# Type:<br>'''%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\''' <br>then click {button OK}. <br/>A window will open containing profile folders.<br/>[[Image:win-rundialog.png]]
# Double-click the profile folder you wish to open.  If you only have one profile, its folder would have "default" in the name.
{/for}
-->
{/for}
{for mac}
# Click the '''Finder''' icon in the dock
# On the menu bar, click the {menu Go} menu, hold down the {key option} or {key alt} key, and select {menu Library}. A window will open containing your Library folder. 
# Open the {filepath Application Support} folder, double-click the {filepath Firefox} folder, and then the {filepath Profiles} folder. 
Your profile folder is in this folder.
{note} '''Note:''' The profile that Firefox automatically generates has ''.default'' appended to the profile name {/note}
{/for} 
{for linux}
Firefox stores your profiles in this location on your computer, by default:<br>
<blockquote><code>~/.mozilla/firefox/</code></blockquote>

To access this directory, follow these instructions:
# Open a terminal
# Change the directory to the aforementioned path by typing:
#; <blockquote><code>cd ~/.mozilla/firefox</code></blockquote>
# List the contents of the directory:
#; <blockquote><code>ls</code></blockquote>
{note} '''Note:''' The profile that Firefox automatically generates has ''.default'' appended to the profile name {/note}
{/for}

= What information is stored in my profile? =
{note}'''Note:''' This is not an exhaustive list{/note}
<!-- If file names are updated for a new Firefox version, also review the https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recovering-important-data-from-an-old-profile article and update, if necessary. -->
'''Bookmarks, Downloads and Browsing History:'''
*{filepath places.sqlite}<br>This file stores all your Firefox bookmarks and lists of all the files you've downloaded and websites you’ve visited
*{filepath bookmarkbackups}<br>This folder stores bookmark backup files, which can restore your bookmarks
*{filepath favicons.sqlite}<br>This file stores all of the favicons for your Firefox bookmarks

For more information, see [[Bookmarks in Firefox]] and [[Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer]].

'''Passwords:'''
*{filepath key4.db}
*{filepath logins.json}<br><br>Firefox stores passwords in these two files. For more information, see [[Password Manager - Remember, delete and edit logins and passwords in Firefox]]

'''Site-specific preferences:'''
*{filepath permissions.sqlite}
*{filepath content-prefs.sqlite}<br><br>These two files store many of your Firefox permissions, such as which sites may display pop-ups and per-site zoom levels (see [[Font size and zoom - increase the size of web pages]])

'''Search engines:'''
* {filepath search.json.mozlz4}<br>This file stores user-installed search engines. For more information, see [[Add or remove a search engine in Firefox]]

'''Personal dictionary:'''
*{filepath persdict.dat}<br>This file stores any custom words you have added to Firefox's dictionary. For more information, see [[How do I use the Firefox spell checker?]]

'''Autocomplete history:'''
*{filepath formhistory.sqlite}<br>This file stores what you have searched for in the Firefox search bar and what information you’ve entered into forms on websites. For more information, see [[Control whether Firefox automatically fills in forms]]

'''Cookies:'''
*{filepath cookies.sqlite}<br>This file stores your browser cookies. A [[Cookies - Information that websites store on your computer|cookie]] is a data file stored on your computer by a website you’ve visited.

'''DOM storage:'''

DOM Storage is designed to provide a larger, more secure, and easier-to-use alternative to storing information in cookies.
*{filepath webappsstore.sqlite}<br>This file stores [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_storage DOM] storage data
*{filepath chromeappsstore.sqlite}<br>This file stores information for [https://web.archive.org/web/20210421190552/http://kb.mozillazine.org/About_protocol_links about:*] pages.

'''Extensions:'''
*{filepath extensions}<br>This folder, if it exists, stores files for any [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/extensions/ extensions] you have installed. To learn more about Firefox extensions and other add-ons, see [[Find and install add-ons to add features to Firefox]].

'''Security certificate settings:'''
*{filepath cert9.db}<br>This file stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Firefox.

'''Security device settings:''' <!-- is this entry really needed? We don't mention Security device settings, secmod.db, or security module database in any other KB article. --> 
*{filepath pkcs11.txt}<br>This file stores security module configuration.

'''Download actions:'''
*{filepath handlers.json}<br>This file stores your preferences that tell Firefox what to do when it comes across a particular type of file. For example, this file stores the preference that make Firefox open a PDF file with Acrobat Reader when you click on it. For more information, see [[Change what Firefox does when you click on or download a file]].

'''Stored session:'''
*{filepath sessionstore.jsonlz4}<br>This file stores the currently open tabs and windows. For more information, see [[Restore previous session - Configure when Firefox shows your most recent tabs and windows]].

'''Toolbar customization:'''
*{filepath xulstore.json}<br>This file stores toolbar and window size/position settings. For more information, see [[Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars]].

'''User preferences:'''
*{filepath prefs.js}<br>This file stores customized user preferences, such as changes you make in the Settings  dialog located at '''about:config'''. The optional {filepath user.js} file, if one exists, will override preferences made in-browser

'''Containers:'''
*{filepath containers.json}<br>This file stores the details of containers used by the [[Multi-Account Containers|Container Tabs feature]], including those created by extensions such as [[Facebook Container - Prevent Facebook from tracking you on other websites|Facebook Container]].

= Working with profiles =
*[[Profile Manager - Create, remove or switch Firefox profiles]] explains how to do things such as creating a new profile, setting a new default profile, and deleting an old profile.
*[[Recover user data missing after Firefox update]] explains how to use the Profile Manager to switch profiles if multiple profiles exist. 
*[[Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles]] explains how to back up and restore a profile. It also explains how to move your profile information to a different location on your hard drive or to another computer.
*[[Recovering important data from an old profile]] explains how to copy files to a new profile and includes a list of files that store information helpful for recovery.

Revision Content

Firefox stores the changes you make to it, such as your bookmarks and extensions, inside a folder called a profile. Firefox stores your profile separately from its main installation for a few reasons:

To prevent data loss if something goes wrong with the main program
To allow you to uninstall Firefox without losing your information
To allow you to wipe your information or troubleshoot a problem without reinstalling Firefox

Table of Contents

1 How do I find my profile?
- 1.1 Finding your profile without opening Firefox
2 What information is stored in my profile?
3 Working with profiles

How do I find my profile?

Click the menu button , click Help and select More Troubleshooting Information.From the Help menu, select More Troubleshooting Information. The Troubleshooting Information tab will open.
Under the Application Basics section next to Profile FolderDirectory, click Open FolderShow in FinderOpen Directory. A window will open that contains your profile folder.Your profile folder will open.

Note: If you are unable to open or use Firefox, follow the instructions in Finding your profile without opening Firefox.

Finding your profile without opening Firefox

Firefox stores your profiles in this location on your computer, by default:

C:\Users\<your Windows login username>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\

By default, Windows hides the AppData folder. Follow these steps to find it:

Press +R on the keyboard to open the Run dialog
Type:
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
Click OK. A window will open that contains profile folders
Double-click the profile folder you want to open

Note: The profile that Firefox automatically generates has .default appended to the profile name

From the Start Screen, click the Desktop tile to open the Desktop view
From the Desktop, hover in the lower right-hand corner to access the Charms
Select the Search charm to open the Search sidebar
In the search box, type:
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
without pressing Enter. A list of profile folders will appear
Click on the profile folder you want to open

Note: The profile that Firefox automatically generates has .default appended to the profile name

Click the Windows Start button to open the Start menu
In the Search box at the bottom of the Start menu, type:
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
without pressing Enter. A list of profiles will appear at the top of the Start menu
Click on the profile folder you want to open

Note: The profile that Firefox automatically generates has .default appended to the profile name

Alternatively, you can find your profile by pressing the key and typing:
%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\

Note: To make windows show hidden files, such as the AppData folder, follow these instructions: Show hidden files - Windows Help

Click the Finder icon in the dock
On the menu bar, click the Go menu, hold down the option or alt key, and select Library. A window will open containing your Library folder.
Open the Application Support folder, double-click the Firefox folder, and then the Profiles folder.

Your profile folder is in this folder.

Note: The profile that Firefox automatically generates has .default appended to the profile name

Firefox stores your profiles in this location on your computer, by default:

~/.mozilla/firefox/

To access this directory, follow these instructions:

Open a terminal
Change the directory to the aforementioned path by typing:

cd ~/.mozilla/firefox
List the contents of the directory:

ls

Note: The profile that Firefox automatically generates has .default appended to the profile name

What information is stored in my profile?

Note: This is not an exhaustive list

Bookmarks, Downloads and Browsing History:

places.sqlite
This file stores all your Firefox bookmarks and lists of all the files you've downloaded and websites you’ve visited
bookmarkbackups
This folder stores bookmark backup files, which can restore your bookmarks
favicons.sqlite
This file stores all of the favicons for your Firefox bookmarks

For more information, see Bookmarks in Firefox and Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to another computer.

Passwords:

key4.db
logins.json

Firefox stores passwords in these two files. For more information, see Password Manager - Remember, delete and edit logins and passwords in Firefox

Site-specific preferences:

permissions.sqlite
content-prefs.sqlite

These two files store many of your Firefox permissions, such as which sites may display pop-ups and per-site zoom levels (see Font size and zoom - increase the size of web pages)

Search engines:

search.json.mozlz4
This file stores user-installed search engines. For more information, see Add or remove a search engine in Firefox

Personal dictionary:

persdict.dat
This file stores any custom words you have added to Firefox's dictionary. For more information, see How do I use the Firefox spell checker?

Autocomplete history:

formhistory.sqlite
This file stores what you have searched for in the Firefox search bar and what information you’ve entered into forms on websites. For more information, see Control whether Firefox automatically fills in forms

Cookies:

cookies.sqlite
This file stores your browser cookies. A cookie is a data file stored on your computer by a website you’ve visited.

DOM storage:

DOM Storage is designed to provide a larger, more secure, and easier-to-use alternative to storing information in cookies.

webappsstore.sqlite
This file stores DOM storage data
chromeappsstore.sqlite
This file stores information for about:* pages.

Extensions:

extensions
This folder, if it exists, stores files for any extensions you have installed. To learn more about Firefox extensions and other add-ons, see Find and install add-ons to add features to Firefox.

Security certificate settings:

cert9.db
This file stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Firefox.

Security device settings:

pkcs11.txt
This file stores security module configuration.

Download actions:

handlers.json
This file stores your preferences that tell Firefox what to do when it comes across a particular type of file. For example, this file stores the preference that make Firefox open a PDF file with Acrobat Reader when you click on it. For more information, see Manage file types and download actions in Firefox.

Stored session:

sessionstore.jsonlz4
This file stores the currently open tabs and windows. For more information, see Restore previous session - Configure when Firefox shows your most recent tabs and windows.

Toolbar customization:

xulstore.json
This file stores toolbar and window size/position settings. For more information, see Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars.

User preferences:

prefs.js
This file stores customized user preferences, such as changes you make in the Settings dialog located at about:config. The optional user.js file, if one exists, will override preferences made in-browser

Containers:

containers.json
This file stores the details of containers used by the Container Tabs feature, including those created by extensions such as Facebook Container.

Working with profiles

Profile Manager - Create, remove or switch Firefox profiles explains how to do things such as creating a new profile, setting a new default profile, and deleting an old profile.
Recover user data missing after Firefox update explains how to use the Profile Manager to switch profiles if multiple profiles exist.
Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles explains how to back up and restore a profile. It also explains how to move your profile information to a different location on your hard drive or to another computer.
Recovering important data from an old profile explains how to copy files to a new profile and includes a list of files that store information helpful for recovery.