How do I transfer my Firefox settings to a new computer?

March 26, 2005 10:52 PM

Firefox question: I recently bought a new computer and want to transfer the Firefox settings from the old computer, namely the bookmarks. What file(s) should I copy over to my /Firefox folder in the new computer?
posted by zardoz to computers & internet (6 answers total)

the file you are looking for is bookmarks.html. In windows 2000/XP it's going to be in a subdirectory something like C:\Documents and Settings\addyct\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\4xn3tg02.Default User

The 4xn3tg02 will be different, it's generated randomly by Firefox
posted by addyct at 11:05 PM on March 26, 2005

In windows, if you want to copy all the settings, just save the 4xn3tg02.Default User directory's content to the new computer, install Firefox and let it make a default profile, and copy the contents of the old directory into the new default profile's directory, found in the same place.

Or, you can have a firefox directory in your My Documents.. Run "firefox -profilemanager" in the windows run box. Using the profile manager, create a new profile manually, and specify a sub directory of "My Documents" as where to put it. Then when you copy over your documents and other data, it will come with you even after a format, or to a new pc.
posted by addyct at 11:18 PM on March 26, 2005

The above work for profiles, but if your bookmarks are all you really want, just do this:

In firefox, click

Bookmarks --> Manage Bookmarks --> File --> Export

Then save it somewhere.
posted by Hildago at 11:29 PM on March 26, 2005

MozBackup. Discontinued, but still available. Requires that you used the default installation directories I think.
posted by jikel_morten at 6:44 AM on March 27, 2005

if you're copying over your entire profile directory, i've found it helpful to first install all of the same extensions on the new computer (if you're using any extensions)
posted by jacobsee at 8:56 AM on March 27, 2005

Here are some useful instructions
posted by jacobsee at 8:58 AM on March 27, 2005