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Firefox Backup - How to do it

Backup Firefox bookmarks, settings, extensions.


Firefox backup instructions are divided into the following sections:

Firefox Bookmark Backup


Xmarks (formerly Foxmarks) is a free service for  backup of Firefox bookmarks. It that will automatically backup your bookmarks in Firefox to their own servers and saves them for you.

This link will bring you to more information about Firefox bookmark backup. 


Back up the Firefox Profile(s)

You may want your backup of Firefox to include the preferences, settings and configuration changes you make, as well as the add-ons (i.e. extensions) that you have choosen for Firefox. Some people make a ton of these changes.

Firefox stores user personal settings such as these in a profile, which is stored in a profile folder. The first time you start Firefox, it creates the profile; it is changed each time you modify anything about the way Firefox works, bookmarks, extensions, or add-ins.

Each login on a single computer will use a different profile file. The same login can have access to multiple profiles, so firefox (when it boots) can configure itself to the users preference without changing who is logged into the computer. This is all managed from the Profile Manager.  

Information about additional profiles and the Profile Manager can be found here. 

To backup with software or online backup service:
 
To backup the profile folder, you want to select the profile folder for backup using your automated software or online backup. It will then be backed up automatically.

To do a Firefox backup manually:

Without that, you could manually drag and drop the folder to a backup destination. It is easy to use Windows Explorer. (Right click on the Start Button and choose "Explore".)

A backup destinations might be
  • a plug-in-able USB "thumb" drive, 
  • a plugged-in external hard drive (preferably with USB plug),  
  • burn it to a CD or DVD, 
  • upload it to a web site or remote storage folder. 
Don't rely on Floppy disks. They break down too readily to make good backup media. If you use CDs, make two copies, since sometimes they mysteriously go bad.

Here is where you will find the profile folder:

In Windows 95, 98, and ME:
  • C:\Windows\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile folder>
  • C:\Windows\Profiles\<Windows login/user name>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile folder>

In Windows 2000 and XP:
  • C:\Documents and Settings\<Windows login/user name>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile folder>
 Each "/" (i.e. forward slash) indicates that you look for a new folder under the existing folder.

Note:
<Windows login/user name> is just a way to say that your login name will be there. For example," johndoe",

Note:
The Application Data folder is a hidden folder. You must tell Windows to show you the hidden folders in order to see this. Inside Windows Explorer  choose from the menu words along the top and follow the drop down menus as below.:
 "Tools" will drop down a menu offering:
→ Folder Options (Opens a box with tabs.)
→ View (Choose this tab.)
→ Show hidden files and folders".  
(Click in this choice.)
In Vista

Vista Start Menu

Navigate directly to your profile folder at the following path:

  • C:\Users\<Windows login/user name>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile folder>.

The AppData folder is folder is a hidden folder; to show hidden folders, open a Windows Explorer window and choose "Organize → Folder and Search Options → Folder Options → View (tab) → Show hidden files and folders".

Note:
<Windows login/user name> is just a way to say that your login name will be there. For example," johndoe",

Note:
The AppData folder is a hidden folder. You must tell Windows to show you the hidden folders in order to see this. Inside Windows Explorer  choose from the menu words along the top and follow the drop down menus as below.:
 "Organize" will drop down a menu offering:
→ Folder and Search Options (Opens a box with tabs.)
→ View (Click on this tab.)
→ Show hidden files and folders".  
(Click in this choice.)

Media (CDs, floppies, tape backup) is vulnerable to becomming corrupted, damaged, or lost. Then your backup is lost.
An external disk is safer, but even disks break down. Be careful. The easy solution is online backup.

To Backup Firefox Extensions

What is a Firefox extension?

Extensions are add-ons to Firefox that give your application new functionality. These range from customized news readers to online games. These extensions also provide the ability to tailor your browser's look and feel in several different formats. In order to utilize these extensions, it is best to have the most current version installed on your computer.  Download the latest version of Firefox.

Why back them up?
To save a lot of time reinstalling extensions and getting them set up the way you like if you have to install Firefox anew. For example, it makes it easier to set up a new computer the way you like, or protect your seettings in case your machine dies.

I personally do not  back up extensions. Maybe I should start. Until recently I only used Xmarks and a couple of others, but they have been growing. Today I have 15 or so installed,a dn I know of some that have 20 to 30. They grow on you. I love the ones I keep. When you have a lot, it is probably worth backing them up. 

To backup Firefox extensions, use an extension manager or backup tool, which are listed at mozilla.com under the tab at the top that says "Add-Ons". Some will also back up bookmarks.

Firefox offers many add-ons on its web site for backing up your extensions. You can view a list of the free tools dedicated to Firefox backup.

FEBE is the most popular as of this writing. you can install it from here.

If you want a list of the various extensions and extension managers available, check out the very helpful directory here on the Mozilla website.

Please let us know if you discover new tools for backup of Firefox by contacting us here.  Thanks.