Backup Firefox

I've never uninstalled any Firefox version for probably 4 years and just installed the new versions over the "old" ones. All is working fine but would like to do a *fresh* install of the newest version. In the Add/Remove programs there is Mozilla shown as 24.86 MB which seems to be a lot. Got to admit I'm pretty scared stiff to do it.

I've got Mozbackup but don't really know what items to leave on or untick them. I want to keep my Bookmarks of course. They're showing as "html" and the *other* new code of bookmarks of version 3 and don't know if Mozbackup will pick those 2 up. I don't know if I have to leave the ticks on:
"general settings" and "user styles" and "certificates".
I don't keep any saved passwords, saved cookies, saved form details or downloaded file list.

Additionally I wouldn't know where to back up to and how to restore the bookmarks and the items I would need. I've always made CD copies in the past of everything that was shown as "ticked" automatically by Mozbackup, but I want to do this correctly. I know that Mozbackup can restore whatever I left the "tick" on but have never done it.

I will re-install the add-ons (extensions) myself as I read that they can give problems if backed up.

Please be VERY detailed in your instructions since I'm new in this - never had to "restore" anything. Thank you so much for anyone who may/can help me.

 

Honestly, if you want to do a clean install, the only thing I think you should back up is your bookmarks. Then, do a complete uninstall, ensure there is no traces of Firefox left on your system, reboot, download the latest version and install it, then re-install your extensions/themes and import your bookmarks.

 

Thank you. If I save the "bookmarks" in My Documents through Mozbackup and click on "restore" in Mozbackup will it automatically put the bookmarks where they belong?

Thank you.

 

I have never used Mozbackup. It is easy to backup your bookmarks without it, directly from within Firefox. In Firefox 3.x:

Simply click on Bookmarks, Organize Bookmarks...

In the dialog window that opens, click on the Import and Backup button, and select Backup. Save the backup file where it is convenient for you.

To import them once you have done a fresh install, repeat the process, except you select Restore from the dropdown menu in the Bookmarks window, and Select File, locate the backup file you created and use that.

 

Thank you for the excellent advice! I tried it according to your instructions and it seems only to pick up the JSON files, not the Firefox HTML bookmark files I also have? Would I have to back up all the JSON files I have because I have several of them? I can't look inside the JSON files because it won't let me so I don't know if I have to export the HTML files as well and then import them? I tried also to export the HTML bookmarks files and I could see them but don't know if the JSON files are also included with them? (both files are shown as separate folders under Firefox)

Thank you.

 

If all of your bookmarks are listed in your Firefox browser, regardless of how they are organized in your Bookmarks drop down menu, using the Backup and saving your bookmarks creates a NEW JSON file which will be used to restore the bookmarks in your new installation (using the Import feature). The current JSON files are simply periodic automatic bookmark backups (which do not necessarily have your most recent bookmarks, hence the reason why I say manually create a new one).

Basically, you are manually saving your current bookmarks (and how they are organized) by using the Backup feature and saving a new JSON file, and when you uninstall and remove all traces of Firefox, and install it fresh again, you are using that backup file to recreate your exact bookmark configuration once again in the new install. The other JSON and HTML bookmark files should not be around anymore after you uninstall Firefox (and if they are, you should delete them). I recommend saving the new JSON file to a non-default location (such as your Documents folder, or your Desktop) so it does not get inadvertently deleted.

JSON is simply a new journaling file system that Firefox uses, that enables it to run faster. If you stick with my original instructions, you cannot go wrong.

 

I have a good Question about firefox.I like use it and every thing but thing about it with me is It takes so much more Cpu to use than the internet Explorer Y is that it's sorta like Lime wire i dont know Y this is like for say i log on to My space it takes about 85-99 of my cpu and i have tryed every thing.To fix this problem.And i have a 2Ghz intel Pentium (R) 4,and 2 gigs of ram.

 

So what you are saying is that the "HTML" folder of Firefox bookmarks will be backed up (as well) if I just back up the latest JSON file? :confused

See, I've got hundreds of bookmarks and don't want to loose any one or most of them. I'm confused as there is an export and import of "HTML" as well and remember exporting the IE favorites to Firefox and then importing them to the newly created Firefox abt 4 years ago.

Thank you for your patience.

 

To clarify what I said it my previous post by what I meant by saying Firefox HTML folder, I'm adding a snapshot below. There are 2 folders in my profile:
1. bookmarksbackup - which seems to contain the JSON files
2. the highlighted bookmarks.html Firefox document

That's the reason I'm soooo :confused

Thanks again!!

 

All bookmarks currently loaded in your browser will be backed up. If you have other bookmark files that you have not imported into Firefox (you do not see them in Firefox), they will not be included.

So, whether you have 10 or 1000 bookmarks in Firefox now, yes they will ALL be backed up when you perform the Backup function as I laid out earlier.

 

oma, mcsmc seems to know what he is talking about regarding the json files. I haven't figured out the new bookmarks since FF3 so I don't have any direct knowledge of backing up and restoring but it sounds like mcsmc does.

If you just want to be extra sure nothing is lost, just copy your whole Mozilla folder from the %appdata% location to a safe place on your computer. This will give you one copy. Then use the backup function as mcsmc described and also the Export HTML option and save them to a different location than the copied Mozilla folder. This way you will have everything you need twice. *If you want--copy the Mozilla folder again--making a third copy (you can always delete it, once you are sure your bookmarks are safely restored to your new installation).*

I'm guessing the HTML exported file is sort of a legacy thing and would be useful if you wanted to import bookmarks into FF2 or something like that. But even if there was a problem with the json files FF3 could import bookmarks from an HTML file and convert to json as this is what it does this when one first updates from FF2 to FF3.

 

Aaah, now I understand and will create backups of the three of them just to be on the extra safe side. Mozilla folder, JSON and HTML.

Thank you very much sach2 and mcsmc.

 

Thanks Mark. I was hoping you would come around with a direct link to the explanation of the changes to the bookmark system in FF3. I've found it very confusing and end up saving everything to Bookmarks Menu or Unsorted instead of my old folders. Finally figured it out the other day but am anxious to read a full explanation.

 

Woohoo!! Done!! Thanks a bunch you all!! I'm really happy.... :-D

BTW: I found a link that explains everything more in "non geek" terms rather than so technical as in Mozilla. It's also for IE! http://www.tweakguides.com/Firefox_1.html

 

Congratulations oma! You certainly did your research and deserve a good result.

 

To avoid any misunderstanding.... Actually, I always updated to subsequent updates of the FF browser from the time I installed it about 4 years ago up to and including version 3.01 (without removing older versions)
Thank you for your excellent advice.

 

eek:eek New version of FF came out today! eekeek

 

Yeah, version 3.03 This is the link where it explains everything that Firefox 3 will update and that when uninstalling FF 3 the profile, bookmarks etc. will be kept. http://en-us.www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/3.0.3/releasenotes/