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since the latest update, every time I shut down my computer and bring it back up all my saved information in Firefox or Waterfox is gone.

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 8 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

PaulaCas
PaulaCas
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I have used Waterfox since I got my first 64 bit system. After the latest updated, I shut down my computer for the night and when I booted up the next morning, when I opened Waterfox it looked like it did the first time I downloaded it. All of my settings, saved passwords, etc., were gone. I've tried on several occasions since then to apply my settings, save several passwords, and every day I open waterfox or firefox it's back to the basic configuration.

Needless to say, I started using a different browser.

I have used Waterfox since I got my first 64 bit system. After the latest updated, I shut down my computer for the night and when I booted up the next morning, when I opened Waterfox it looked like it did the first time I downloaded it. All of my settings, saved passwords, etc., were gone. I've tried on several occasions since then to apply my settings, save several passwords, and every day I open waterfox or firefox it's back to the basic configuration. Needless to say, I started using a different browser.

All Replies (2)

bygabyga
bygabyga
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PaulaCas said

I have used Waterfox since I got my first 64 bit system.

Please use waterfox support

For Firefox you can try a few things:

Many site issues can be caused by corrupt cookies or cache. In order to try to fix these problems, the first step is to clear both cookies and the cache. Note: This will temporarily log you out of all sites you're logged in to. To clear cache and cookies do the following:

  1. Click the menu button New Fx Menu, choose History, and then "Clear Recent History...".
  2. Under "Time range to clear", select "Everything".
  3. Now, click the arrow next to Details to toggle the Details list active.
  4. From the details list, check Cache and Cookies and uncheck everything else.
  5. Now click the "Clear Now" button.

Further information can be found in the Delete browsing, search and download history on Firefox article.


Certain Firefox problems can be solved by performing a Clean reinstall. This means you remove your Firefox program files and then reinstall Firefox. This process does not remove your Firefox profile data (such as bookmarks and passwords), since that information is stored in a different location.

To do a clean reinstall of Firefox, please follow these steps: Note: You might want to print these steps or view them in another browser.

  1. Download the latest Desktop version of Firefox from mozilla.org (or choose the download for your operating system and language from this page) and save the setup file to your computer.
  2. After the download finishes, close all Firefox windows (or open the Firefox menu New Fx Menu and click the close button Close 29).
  3. Delete the Firefox installation folder, which is located in one of these locations, by default:
    • Windows:
      • C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
    • Mac: Delete Firefox from the Applications folder.
    • Linux: If you installed Firefox with the distro-based package manager, you should use the same way to uninstall it - see Install Firefox on Linux. If you downloaded and installed the binary package from the Firefox download page, simply remove the folder firefox in your home directory.
  4. Now, go ahead and reinstall Firefox:
    1. Double-click the downloaded installation file and go through the steps of the installation wizard.
    2. Once the wizard is finished, choose to directly open Firefox after clicking the Finish button.

More information about reinstalling Firefox can be found here.

WARNING: Do not use a third party uninstaller as part of this process. Doing so could permanently delete your Firefox profile data, including but not limited to, extensions, cache, cookies, bookmarks, personal settings and saved passwords. These cannot be easily recovered unless they have been backed up to an external device! See Back up and restore information in Firefox profiles.


The Refresh feature (called "Reset" in older Firefox versions) can fix many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your bookmarks, history, passwords, cookies, and other essential information.

Note: When you use this feature, you will lose any extensions, toolbar customizations, and some preferences. See the Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings article for more information.

To Refresh Firefox:

  1. Open the Troubleshooting Information page using one of these methods:
    • Click the menu button New Fx Menu, click help Help-29 and select Troubleshooting Information. A new tab containing your troubleshooting information should open.
    • If you're unable to access the Help menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.
  2. At the top right corner of the page, you should see a button that says "Refresh Firefox" ("Reset Firefox" in older Firefox versions). Click on it.
  3. Firefox will close. After the refresh process is completed, Firefox will show a window with the information that is imported.
  4. Click Finish and Firefox will reopen.
FredMcD
FredMcD
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Another user reported the same problem on their Firefox. The general thought is that the users cleaning program is removing information.

If you are using such programs, open its settings and tell it to leave the browser alone.