Refreshing Firefox {web link} is a LAST RESORT ! !

Refreshing Firefox -- easily fix most problems

If you're having problems with Firefox, refreshing it can help. The refresh feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks and open tabs. Everything else, like user settings and add-ons, are removed.

Look on your desktop. Do you see a folder called; Old Firefox?

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recovering-important-data-from-an-old-profile

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles

Thanks, Fred. I found the Old Firefox Data folder on my desktop - but don't know what to do with it.... The 2 web links on your reply show how to refresh - BUT you say that using the web link to refresh should be the LAST resort; so I'm unsure what to do! THanks very much, Wendy

First; open your file browser to the New profile;

Type about:support<enter> in the address bar.

Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.

Second; Open another file browser to the Old Firefox folder on your desktop. Then open the folder with the latest date.

Warning ! ! Only Copy the files you are told. We will avoid anything that might be the cause of your problems. Here is the list of files;

cookies: cookies.sqlite Do not bother. Cookies will be created when you return to the website. However, you will have to log in everywhere. And you may lose any settings that websites store on your computer.

extensions(add-ons, themes): it would be better to download them fresh. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ key3.db and logins.json : These are the Password files.’’'Copy Both !

persdict.dat : custom dictionary – words you added to the dictionary

mimeTypes.rdf : What to do with what type of file.

places.sqlite : History and Bookmarks.

prefs.js : Your settings.’’'Note: If you were having problems, this could be contaminated.

cert8.db and possibly cert_override.txt : Stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Firefox. If removed, the cert8.db file will be replaced.

search.json.mozlz4 : file stores the user-installed search engines that are available in the Firefox v47+

search.sqlite file and searchplugins folder store the search engines that are available in the Firefox Search bar before Firefox v47 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Copy these files from the old to the new. You may get a message that the files already exist. Choose to over-write for each file.

Fred - I’ve been “out” most of the day and am looking at this again. First: THANK YOU for providing such detailed explanations. However, my lack of technical ability/vocabulary/knowledge has me stumped. I’ve asked several questions below, trying to set them apart using the symbol <<WH<<<. I’m headed to bed (it’s after midnight in CA) and will attempt again tomorrow. Muchas Gracias / Obrigada / Merci Beaucoup / Domo Arigato Wendy H

Apr 28, 2017, 3:33:32 PM First; open your file browser to the New profile;

Type about:support<enter> in the address bar.

Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.

<<WH<< < I got this far. After pressing the SHOW FOLDER button (above), I have a PROFILES “window” with 2 blue folders in it: ( 3nv8uwtx.default-1493442975540 AND rgbefr3a.default-1493442899131 )

<<WH<<< Then I opened my OLD Firefox Data FOLDER ON DESKTOP which also has 2 blue folders in it: ( nw4c1zs6.default AND 54p72oqw.default-1493414586235 ). The 2nd blue folders in each “window” are nearly, but not exactly, the same.

Second; Open another file browser to the Old Firefox folder on your desktop. Then open the folder with the latest date.

<<WH<<< But, I don’t know what you mean by “Open another file browser”. I think I did open the “PROFILES” folder (above) with the latest date (although I don’t see a date).

Warning ! ! Only Copy the files you are told. We will avoid anything that might be the cause of your problems. Here is the list of files;

<<WH<<< I’m lost again. Am I supposed to copy/drag EACH file within each of the blue folders FROM the OLD Firefox Data TO the PROFILES window? Where are the “directions” to copy coming from (ie: who/what will tell me to copy them)??? Or do I only copy those you’ve listed below???

cookies: cookies.sqlite Do not bother. Cookies will be created when you return to the website. However, you will have to log in everywhere. And you may lose any settings that websites store on your computer.

<<WH<<< What ARE “add-ons”?? How do I download them fresh (how will I know which ones I had before)???

extensions(add-ons, themes): it would be better to download them fresh. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ key3.db and logins.json : These are the Password files.’’'Copy Both !

persdict.dat : custom dictionary – words you added to the dictionary

mimeTypes.rdf : What to do with what type of file.

places.sqlite : History and Bookmarks.

prefs.js : Your settings.’’'Note: If you were having problems, this could be contaminated.

<<WH<<< So what shall I do - copy it or not????

cert8.db and possibly cert_override.txt : Stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Firefox. If removed, the cert8.db file will be replaced.

<<WH<<< “If removed” - Sooo, I should NOT remove them, right? Am I removing anything? How?

search.json.mozlz4 : file stores the user-installed search engines that are available in the Firefox v47+

search.sqlite file and searchplugins folder store the search engines that are available in the Firefox Search bar before Firefox v47 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Copy these files from the old to the new. You may get a message that the files already exist. Choose to over-write for each file.

<<WH<<< I think I understand you to be saying that ALL the above mentioned files should be copied from the OLD to the new Profiles folders. If so, can’t I just drag the 2 “old” blue folders to the Profiles folder/window? Or, because there are WARNINGS, I must do it individually....

Thanks SO much!

Well - that didn't work.... Sorry. I put the less than symbol to indicate MY responses and got gobbly gook. Sorry. Here's a better attempt:

Fred - I’ve been “out” most of the day and am looking at this again. First: THANK YOU for providing such detailed explanations. However, my lack of technical ability/vocabulary/knowledge has me stumped. I’ve asked several questions below, trying to set them apart using the symbol +++WH+++ I’m headed to bed (it’s after midnight in CA) and will attempt again tomorrow. Muchas Gracias / Obrigada / Merci Beaucoup / Domo Arigato Wendy H

Apr 28, 2017, 3:33:32 PM First; open your file browser to the New profile;

Type about:support<enter> in the address bar.

Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.

+++WH+++ I got this far. After pressing the SHOW FOLDER button (above), I have a PROFILES “window” with 2 blue folders in it: ( 3nv8uwtx.default-1493442975540 AND rgbefr3a.default-1493442899131 )

+++WH+++ Then I opened my OLD Firefox Data FOLDER ON DESKTOP which also has 2 blue folders in it: ( nw4c1zs6.default AND 54p72oqw.default-1493414586235 ). The 2nd blue folder in each “window” are nearly, but not exactly, the same.

Second; Open another file browser to the Old Firefox folder on your desktop. Then open the folder with the latest date.

+++WH+++ But, I don’t know what you mean by “Open another file browser”. I think I did open the “PROFILES” folder (above) with the latest date (although I don’t see a date).

Warning ! ! Only Copy the files you are told. We will avoid anything that might be the cause of your problems. Here is the list of files;

+++WH+++ I’m lost again. Am I supposed to copy EACH file within each of the blue folders FROM the OLD Firefox Data TO the PROFILES window? Where are the “directions” to copy coming from (ie: who/what will tell me to copy them)??? Or do I only copy those you’ve listed below???

cookies: cookies.sqlite Do not bother. Cookies will be created when you return to the website. However, you will have to log in everywhere. And you may lose any settings that websites store on your computer.

+++WH+++ What are “add-ons”?? How do I download them fresh (how will I know which ones I had before)???

extensions(add-ons, themes): it would be better to download them fresh. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ key3.db and logins.json : These are the Password files.’’'Copy Both !

persdict.dat : custom dictionary – words you added to the dictionary

mimeTypes.rdf : What to do with what type of file.

places.sqlite : History and Bookmarks.

prefs.js : Your settings.’’'Note: If you were having problems, this could be contaminated.

+++WH+++ So what shall I do????

cert8.db and possibly cert_override.txt : Stores all your security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported into Firefox. If removed, the cert8.db file will be replaced.

+++WH+++ “If removed” - Sooo, I should NOT remove them, right? Am I removing anything? How?

search.json.mozlz4 : file stores the user-installed search engines that are available in the Firefox v47+

search.sqlite file and searchplugins folder store the search engines that are available in the Firefox Search bar before Firefox v47 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Copy these files from the old to the new. You may get a message that the files already exist. Choose to over-write for each file.

+++WH+++ I think I understand you to be saying that ALL the above mentioned files should be copied from the OLD to the new Profiles folders. Can’t I just drag the 2 “old” blue folders to the Profiles folder/window?

WendyH said

Under the page logo on the left side, you will see Application Basics. Under this find Profile Folder. To its right press the button Show Folder. This will open your file browser to the current Firefox profile. Now Close Firefox.

+++WH+++ I got this far. After pressing the SHOW FOLDER button (above), I have a PROFILES “window” with 2 blue folders in it: ( 3nv8uwtx.default-1493442975540 AND rgbefr3a.default-1493442899131 )

The above should have open the file browser into the profile being used. Not the Profile Folder.

+++WH+++ Then I opened my OLD Firefox Data FOLDER ON DESKTOP which also has 2 blue folders in it: ( nw4c1zs6.default AND 54p72oqw.default-1493414586235 ). The 2nd blue folder in each “window” are nearly, but not exactly, the same.

Open the folder with the most resent date.

Second; Open another file browser to the Old Firefox folder on your desktop. Then open the folder with the latest date.

+++WH+++ But, I don’t know what you mean by “Open another file browser”.

Open a different file browser. This will make the file transfer easior.

Warning ! ! Only Copy the files you are told.

+++WH+++ I’m lost again. Am I supposed to copy EACH file within each of the blue folders FROM the OLD Firefox Data TO the PROFILES window? Where are the “directions” to copy coming from (ie: who/what will tell me to copy them)??? Or do I only copy those you’ve listed below???

I instructions say to Copy because if something were to go wrong, you still have the originals to work with.

'How to copy' depends on your computer system. If you are not sure how, ask someone there for help.

As the instructions say, 'Only Copy the files you are told.'

+++WH+++ What are “add-ons”?? How do I download them fresh (how will I know which ones I had before)???

If you don't know, you may not have any.

+++WH+++ So what shall I do????

Follow the instructions

+++WH+++ “If removed” - Sooo, I should NOT remove them, right? Am I removing anything? How?

If the browser can't find certain files (missing), they are created anew (blank).

+++WH+++ Can’t I just drag the 2 “old” blue folders to the Profiles folder/window?

No. That would move one folder into the other. What we want are the selected files only.

Hold on, there might be a simpler solution. The usual method to add a colored background to the toolbar area -- if that's what it was -- is a lightweight theme from this page:

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/themes/

Does that work?

Yes!!! That restored a colored toolbar at top. It's not the exact same one as before, but I'm happy to distinguish Firefox from Safari! Thanks so much. WH