Save and restore Mozilla profiles
Posted by Maigret on Oct 7, 2008 in Misc • 18 commentsEverybody has known this unfortunate experience, at least once time in his life: that to lose all your Firefox, Thunderbird or Mozilla profiles. But today, one effective solution exists which is called: MozBackup. This software is an easy-to-use utility whose mission is to save and restore your different user profiles.
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Everybody has known this unfortunate experience, at least once time in his life: that to lose all your Firefox, Thunderbird or Mozilla profiles. But today, one effective solution exists which is called: MozBackup. This software is an easy-to-use utility whose mission is to save and restore your different user profiles.
Overview
MozBackup can backup and restore your profiles for Mozilla application as its name suggests it:
- Mozilla Firefox 1.0 - 3.0
- Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0 - 3.0a1
- Mozilla Sunbird 0.3 - 0.8
- Mozilla Suite 1.7 - 1.7x
But also for :
- Flock 1.0 - 1.1
- SeaMonkey 1.0a - 1.1
- Spicebird 0.4
- Netscape 7.x - 9.x
Thus, MozBackup is able to save and restore :
- Bookmarks
- Mails
- Contacts
- History
- Extensions
- Cache
As you can see, this program works for Firefox 3 which is very valuable and for all versions of Windows (from 98 to Vista).
Example : save your Firefox profile
First run MozBackup. A welcome screen appears, click Next to continue.
You now have the choice between saving or restoring a profile. By default, the backup operation is selected, plus profiles of applications and the applications are automatically detected.
After choosing the user profile of the application to register click Next.
We must now indicate the location where you saved the file via the Browse button.
Please note that you can also make a backup of a profile of a declination of a portable applications supported.
The location specified, MozBackup propose to encrypt your data or not. Available to meet you then enter a password to protect it.
The next screen allows you to select specific elements to be saved. An additional option allows you going further by adding unknown files which may have been generated by add-ons, for instance.
To validate, click Next and wait.
Your profile is now free from any mishandling, the ideal is to copy the file generated on a removable media such as a USB key in order to restore thereafter. Do not forget to remember password in case you have stated one.
MozBackup is a really effective tool that I urge you to use !
quite a useful seeming piece of software. i’m a big fan of programs which make backing up stuff easier.
That’s useful information to know. Thanks for sharing the how to back up tips.
For those, like me, hunting for something like this, you can find it at MozBackup. It is a freeware program and not a Firefox Extension. Why there isn’t one already has always worried me. Thanks for the info.
@Lorelle: Thanks for the interesting link! Too bad it the program isn’t available for Macs
NOW you tell me! {LOL} I had an employee spend a couple of hours last week redoing a profile! I looked for something like this but couldn’t find it so I’m delighted to know that it won’t happen again. I’m off to download … and thanks a bunch.
@Lorelle: forgive me I totally forgotten the link in the article. I’ll correct it as soon as possible
@all : I’m glad to help you, thanks to everybody !
Argggh!
I just lost a personality recently and it was a real pain. Now I know how to avoid this.
Thanks a ton!
Thanks for the screen shots and the thorough step by step. I know a friend who was having a problem regarding this a few days ago. Now I can help him out and know what I’m actually doing for once.
I always tend to back up items such as this so that issues don’t arise. It is easily worth the time to check once in a while to see what is important on a computer and then protect it in some way.
This is awesome, I’m downloading it right now , thanks for the info!
Very interesting, and did you know that Yahoo! firefox version is out?
Thanks for the useful tips.
Thanks.
Thanks for the tip…
I use Firefox, Thunderbird and SeaMonkey exclusively now, and I can’t afford another loss…
If you’re only using Firefox there’s an extension called FEBE which back up parts, or all, of your profile. It is perfect for transplanting a Firefox install to a new machine too.
Mozilla Firefox been updating a lot lately, there was an update about securing passwords that I have learned to let every update comes in when is from Mozilla Firefox.
Is anyone knows any unsafe update from Mozilla Firefox?
Thanks all.
@Ewen : yes FEBE is a good alternative and I suggest you to read this article about Foxmarks which permits to synchronise your bookmarks online (but not only) : http://www.maigretsblog.com/en/synchroniser-ses-marque-pages-avec-foxmarks-dans-firefox-3/
@Colony limousine : I never had any problem with Mozilla update.
I like using Mozilla Firefox. It is my favorite browser. It is supposed to be the most
secure browser around. Some times it is a little too secure. This happened today
when it wouldn’t allow me to install feeds at My Yahoo page.
I had to switch to the Safari browser to complete adding the feed.
Once upon the time I have to reinstall my os, I lose my firefox bookmark ! I should download this tool. cause there’s a tutorial that become much more easier to use …
I use portable firefox and i have not any such problems.