For your second question, I believe the setting in about:config is browser.uiCustomization.state and the data should have "{placements...." in there. I have not tried it before, but this is a good tool:

• http://www.alain.knaff.lu/howto/Mozil.../byteshf.cgi

These add-ons can be a great help by backing up and restoring Firefox

FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) {web link} FEBE allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions, history, passwords, and more. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up -- It will actually rebuild your saved files individually into installable .xpi files. It will also make backups of files that you choose.

OPIE {web link} Import/Export extension preferences

The data is not stored in a single file. For example:

prefs.js stores:

• layout of buttons/controls and toolbars *
• pinned sites on the new tab page
• blocked sites on the new tab page
• most settings on the Options page (not including lists of sites)

xulstate.json xulstore.json stores:

• which toolbars are turn on/off *

content-prefs.sqlite stores:

• preferred zoom levels by site
• last used upload/download folder by site

permissions.sqlite stores:

• site-specific cookie, popup, extension installation, full screen, location, plugin, and data storage permissions

And numerous others...

* Both assume certain add-ons are present, and may retain phantom controls/bars when those add-ons are removed.

@Jeff: I assume you would want to correct this xulstate.json stores: to xulstore.json

Note that sessionstore.js also stores all open tabs including pinned tabs and tab groups.

• bookmarks and history: places.sqlite
• bookmark backups: JSON backups in the bookmarkbackups folder
• SQLite files like cookies.sqlite (cookies) and formhistory.sqlite (saved form data)
• logins.json and key3.db (decryption key) for Passwords saved in the Password Manager
• cert8.db for stored intermediate certificates (Certificate Manager)
• persdict.dat for words you added to the spelling checker dictionary
• permissions.sqlite and possibly content-prefs.sqlite for Permissions and Site Preferences
• sessionstore.js for open tabs and pinned tabs and tab groups

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Recovering+important+data+from+an+old+profile
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

cor-el said

@Jeff: I assume you would want to correct this xulstate.json stores: to xulstore.json

Thanks for spotting that. Fixed.

Thank you, gentlemen.

So it seems preferences and customisations really are all over the place, although saving prefs.js would give you something resembling your previous Firefox (most Options, plus layout of buttons and toolbars).

I will try FEBE, which seems to offer everything but the kitchen sink. If it does what it says it does, it's almost too good to be true.

The Automatic Mozilla Configurator seems to do what I want to do, but it looks like programmer's level stuff -- that's too advanced for me.

Any objections to using those tools to restore user data across different Firefox profiles or Windows user accounts ?

You can backup the browser.uiCustomization.state pref line from prefs.js (or about:config) to have a backup of the toolbar customization. This pref stores the toolbar customization in JSON format. The prefs.js file stores a lot of prefs that are profile usage specific like timers when action were performed and other maintenance data.

cor-el said

You can backup the browser.uiCustomization.state pref line from prefs.js (or about:config) to have a backup of the toolbar customization.

Nice ! I found it in about:config. What would be the safe way to back it up, then restore it ? I see many options there, and I wouldn't want to break anything.

This pref stores the toolbar customization in JSON format. The prefs.js file stores a lot of prefs that are profile usage specific like timers when action were performed and other maintenance data.

So the browser.uiCustomization.state pref line would be safe to backup and restore across different Firefox profiles or different Windows user accounts, but not necessarily others ?