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...
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