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If syncing from a laptop with its own set of bookmarks, what happens to the original laptop bookmarks? Are they saved also?

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  • Last reply by Ibai

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I am concerned about losing an existing, different set of bookmarks on a laptop when syncing to a desktop's set. How does Firefox handle local bookmarks?

I am concerned about losing an existing, different set of bookmarks on a laptop when syncing to a desktop's set. How does Firefox handle local bookmarks?

Chosen solution

Techguy, you are correct. The design principle is that you want to have your Firefox in Sync...all of it.

In the case that you are describing also, the L-O set of bookmarks would appear duplicated after the second machine is paired. As soon as you delete them from one machine they will disappear from the other one too.

I hope that this makes sense.

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Hi!

If you decide to sync bookmarks the behavior would be a "Merge" of bookmarks from both computers. So this way you will end up having the bookmarks from both computers in both computers at the same time.

If you don't want to share bookmarks though, you can remove the selection from the box. Remember that you can customize what features you want to sync prior to using it.

I hope this clarifies your question.

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Thanks so much for the answer!

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Just to clarify,

--because I have read through several different pages of so-called instructions or explanations within the Mozilla Firefox features pages. Wherin instructions on How are given but no explanation of WHAT HAPPENS is ever offered.

Scenario: Two machines (or FF browser installations). FF installation one has bookmarks A through O. FF installation two has bookmarks L through Z.

On setting up Sync of bookmarks at first installation, it sends bookmarks A through O to server. On setting up Sync on second installation, it sends bookmarks L through Z to server. On server, it merges the two, creating a superset of A through Z. It sends the full A through Z down to the second machine/installation, probably right away, replacing its smaller set of bookmarks. It eventually sends the full A through Z set back to the first machine/installation.

(I don't actually know if the merge and superset takes place on the server then sends back to installation two replacing it, or if the merge and superset takes place on installation two, which then sends the new superset A-Z up to the server. It might be that only differences are sent to each machine - this would minimize traffic and probably be more efficient.)

The main clarification I wish to confirm, is that all machine/installations synced end up with the superset of A through Z.

Thus, it is not possible to keep any different items separate when that item category is chosen for sync. (unless purged manually after...)

Yes ... ?

Modified by TechGuy8

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Chosen Solution

Techguy, you are correct. The design principle is that you want to have your Firefox in Sync...all of it.

In the case that you are describing also, the L-O set of bookmarks would appear duplicated after the second machine is paired. As soon as you delete them from one machine they will disappear from the other one too.

I hope that this makes sense.