Firefox Bookmarks - Export (Backup) and Import (Restore)

How to Export and Import Bookmarks in Firefox​

   Information

Bookmarks, also known as Favorites in Internet Explorer, are a convenient way to organize and find webpages that you visit frequently.

This will show you how to export (backup) and import (restore) your bookmarks in Firefox.

OPTION ONE

To Export (Backup) Bookmarks from Firefox

1. Open Firefox, click on Bookmarks (Menu bar), and click on Show All Bookmarks. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You could also press Ctrl+Shift+B in Firefox instead.

2. In the Firefox Library window, click on the Import and Backup toolbar button, then click on Export HTML. (see screenshot below)

3. Navigate to your Desktop, type in a name (ex: Firefox_Bookmarks), then click on the Save button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You can name the HTML file anything that will help make it easier for you to know what it's for and when it was created later.

4. Close both the Firefox and Firefox Library windows above.

5. Move the exported HTML file to where you like for safe keeping as your Firefox Bookmarks backup.
NOTE: This HTML file is your Firefox bookmarks.

OPTION TWO

To Import (Restore) Bookmarks to Firefox

1. Open Firefox, click on Bookmarks (Menu bar), and click on Show All Bookmarks. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You could also press Ctrl+Shift+B in Firefox instead.

2. In the Firefox Library window, click on the Import and Backup toolbar button, then click on Import HTML. (see screenshot below)

3. Select (dot) From a HTML file, and click on Next. (see screenshot below)

4. Navigate to where you have saved the exported HTML file (ex: Firefox_Bookmarks) from OPTION ONE above, select it, and click on Open. (see screenshot below)

5. The exported bookmarks have now been imported into Firefox.

6. You can now close the Firefox Library window. (see screenshot below step 2)
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Import Firefox Bookmarks into Internet Explorer Favorites
• How to Import and Export Favorites in Internet Explorer
• How to Import and Export Bookmarks in Google Chrome Browser
• How to Import Internet Explorer Favorites into Google Chrome Browser

 

[SmithUnwesson]

Backup/Restore Firefox Bookmarks & Passwords From Any Profile

Hi Shawn, thanks for the tut. I thought I'd share my method with everyone also.

This process is for adding archived bookmarks/passwords to a fresh installation of Mozilla Firefox. This process will work with any archived bookmarks/passwords and can be transferred to/from multiple computers, as long as the correct files are utilized... :busted:

There are several tuts that I've found online that go into extensive detail about how to backup/restore the bookmarks/passwords correctly, but my method is very simple.

Only 3 files need to be kept if you wish to backup the bookmarks/passwords. The default location of all 3 files is:

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\PROFILENAME\
​

The file names are:

key3.db

places.sqlite

signons.sqlite


​

I like to back up these files regularly for safe keeping, as well as just before uninstalling Firefox. I just create a zip archive of the 3 files mentioned above and save it to my desktop. Then I proceed with uninstalling.

After removing the residual bits and pieces left behind (CCleaner), I download the latest version of Firefox and begin the installation.

You can chose to go with the default install or use custom settings, this will not effect your ability to restore your bookmarks/passwords.

Once the installation is complete, allow Firefox to start. Once the application has successfully started, exit the application by either using Firefox/Exit or just click the close button on the top right corner. I wouldn't normally mention this step, but I've found several tuts online that specify Firefox/Exit is required for this process. They are incorrect.

Now that Firefox has been closed, just Copy & Paste the 3 files previously backed up into your new profile folder. Default location will be:

C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\PROFILENAME\

The new profile name will be different from the previous profile. This does not matter since the previous profile information is irrelevant. This process simply adds the archived bookmarks/passwords to the new profile.

You will be prompted with a message stating that these files already exist in the directory. Just replace the existing files, they do not contain anything useful since you have just reinstalled Firefox.

Viola! The next time Firefox is started, all of the bookmarks/passwords now exist in the fresh install of Firefox. This will also recreate the bookmarks toolbar exactly as it was previously (including separators).

Obviously, anyone that wishes to keep their passwords private will need to create a master password. Otherwise the passwords can be transferred to another workstation very easily.

I hope others find this information useful! I feel this is information that can save us time and keep us safe!

Happy Travels,
Tim
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[Brink]

Thank you for sharing Tim.

 

[SmithUnwesson]

No problem!

 

[Wareus]

Hi, you could also set up Firefox Sync to restore bookmarks to any computer of your choice, store them on a personal server or their server, you just need an account and your generated key.

 

[PimpleMaze]

Though this is an old thread i would like to update SmithUnwesson's post with something i found on the mozillazine site:

Backing up and restoring passwords

Firefox stores your password data in two files: key3.db (Master Password / Encryption key) and a "signons" file (encrypted names and passwords). You can back up your passwords by making a copy of the files "key3.db" and "signons" for your Firefox version. Firefox 3.5 and later versions use signons.sqlite. [5] Starting in Firefox 32.0, the logins.json file is used instead. See Profile folder - Firefox and Profile backup for additional information.
You can use the Password Exporter or FEBE add-ons to back up your passwords.

 

[Kedy]

for backups and restore I use MozBackup, try it MozBackup - Backup tool for Firefox and Thunderbird