Backing up FF profile in pieces or in one piece

[micky]

I found a list** of what each FF file does and I've been backing up my
FF a file at a time. Is there any advantage to that?

Or would I be better off backing up an entire profile?

ONce when I looked I had more than one profile. I don't know when the
second one was created, but how do I make sure I'm backing up the one
I'm using, without having to do a lot of looking by hand?

I know there is special backup software for FF. Is that better than
XXCopy (an enhanced version of XCopy) for some reason? I've been using
it for several steps in the same bat file where I back up my downloads
and data files.

Thanks



**What information is stored in my profile?
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data?redirectlocale=en-US&redirectslug=Profiles
many links here
Note: Only important information useful for recovering is described.

x Bookmarks, Downloads and Browsing History::: Places.sqlite file
contains all your Firefox bookmarks and lists of all the files you've
downloaded and websites you’ve visited. The bookmarkbackups folder
stores bookmark backup files, which can be used to restore your
bookmarks. For more information, see Create bookmarks to save your
favorite webpages and Restore bookmarks from backup or move them to
another computer.
x Passwords::: Key3.db & Logins.json files hold the passwords. For
more information, see Password Manager - Remember, delete, change and
import saved passwords in Firefox.
Site-specific preferences::: Permissions.sqlite &
Content-prefs.sqlite files store many of your Firefox permissions
(for instance, which sites are allowed to display popups) or zoom levels
that are set on a site-by-site basis (see Font size and zoom - increase
the size of web pages). ---Check----
x Search engines::: Search.json.mozlz4 file stores the user-installed
search engines that are available in the Firefox Search bar.
x Autocomplete history::: Formhistory.sqlite file remembers what you
have searched for in the Firefox search bar and what information you’ve
entered into forms on websites. For more information, see Control
whether Firefox automatically fills in forms.
x Cookies::: Cookies.sqlite file. A cookie is a bit of information
stored on your computer by a website you’ve visited. Usually this is
something like your site preferences or login status.
x DOM storage::: Webappsstore.sqlite DOM Storage is designed to
provide a larger, more secure, and easier-to-use alternative to storing
information in cookiesfor websites. Also the not-found
chromeappsstore.sqlite for about:* pages.
- Extensions::: The extensions folder??, if it exists, stores files
for any extensions you have installed. To learn more about Firefox
extensions and other add-ons, see Find and install add-ons to add
features to Firefox. ----check this out----
x Security certificate settings::: Cert8.db file stores all your
security certificate settings and any SSL certificates you have imported
into Firefox.
x Security device settings::: Secmod.db file is the security module
database.
x Download actions::: MimeTypes.rdf file stores your preferences
that tell Firefox what to do when it comes across a particular type of
file. For example, these are the settings that tell Firefox to open a
PDF file with Acrobat Reader when you click on it. For more information,
see Change what Firefox does when you click on or download a file.
x Plugin MIME type::: Pluginreg.dat file stores Internet media
types related to your installed plugins. For more information, see Use
plugins to play audio, video, games and more.
Stored session::: Sessionstore.js file stores the currently open
tabs and windows. For more information, see Restore previous session -
Configure when Firefox shows your most recent tabs and windows.
----Elsewhere because I use SessionManager----
x Toolbar customization::: Xulstore.json file stores toolbar and
window size/position settings. For more information, see Customize
Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars.
x User preferences::: Prefs.js file stores customized user
preference settings, such as changes you make in Firefox Options
dialogs. The optional user.js file, if one exists, will override any
modified preferences.

REM
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox#Suggested_profile_contents_to_transfer
>From Feb. 2016

c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\places.sqlite
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\bookmarkbackups\
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\key3.db
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\logins.json
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\search.json.mozlz4
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\formhistory.sqlite
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\cookies.sqlite*
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\cookies.sqlite*.*
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\webappsstore.sqlite*
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\cert8.db
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\secmod.db
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\mimeTypes.rdf
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\pluginreg.dat
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\xulstore.json
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\prefs.js
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC
@echo
=============================================================================================================
c:\bat\XXCopy64 /clone
C:\Users\Owner\Appdata\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\*\sessionstore-backups\
G:\Profiles /ILSWin10-Orig /ILDWin10-DataBackUp /oB0
/oAc:\bat\logs\10-data.log /tc /FF3602 /PZ0 /EC

[Chris Ilias]

On 2019-08-07 8:59 p.m., micky wrote:
> I found a list** of what each FF file does and I've been backing up my
> FF a file at a time. Is there any advantage to that?
>
> Or would I be better off backing up an entire profile?
>
> ONce when I looked I had more than one profile. I don't know when the
> second one was created, but how do I make sure I'm backing up the one
> I'm using, without having to do a lot of looking by hand?
>
> I know there is special backup software for FF. Is that better than
> XXCopy (an enhanced version of XCopy) for some reason? I've been using
> it for several steps in the same bat file where I back up my downloads
> and data files.

<snipped>
>

Hi Micky,

That is not a list of what to back up; it is a list of what to restore,
if you would rather restore specific pieces of data, rather than restore
everything.

You're better off backing up as much as you can.

1. Click the menu button[=], then go to
Help-->Troubleshooting_Information, then click [Open Folder]. Your
Firefox profile folder will open in Windows Explorer.
2. Close Firefox.
3. From your Firefox profile folder, go up three levels to the \Mozilla\
folder.
4. Back up the \Firefox\ folder.
....or back up the entire Mozilla folder. :)
....or better yet, back up the entire AppData folder. :)

--
<https://ilias.ca/links>
Mailing list/Newsgroup moderator

[micky]

In mozilla.support.firefox, on Wed, 7 Aug 2019 23:06:25 -0400, Chris

Ilias <nm...@ilias.ca> wrote:

>On 2019-08-07 8:59 p.m., micky wrote:
>> I found a list** of what each FF file does and I've been backing up my
>> FF a file at a time. Is there any advantage to that?
>>
>> Or would I be better off backing up an entire profile?
>>
>> ONce when I looked I had more than one profile. I don't know when the
>> second one was created, but how do I make sure I'm backing up the one
>> I'm using, without having to do a lot of looking by hand?
>>
>> I know there is special backup software for FF. Is that better than
>> XXCopy (an enhanced version of XCopy) for some reason? I've been using
>> it for several steps in the same bat file where I back up my downloads
>> and data files.
><snipped>
>>
>
>Hi Micky,
>
>That is not a list of what to back up; it is a list of what to restore,
>if you would rather restore specific pieces of data, rather than restore
>everything.

Thanks Chris. I switched to doing that.

>
>You're better off backing up as much as you can.
>
>1. Click the menu button[=], then go to
>Help-->Troubleshooting_Information, then click [Open Folder]. Your
>Firefox profile folder will open in Windows Explorer.
>2. Close Firefox.
>3. From your Firefox profile folder, go up three levels to the \Mozilla\
>folder.
>4. Back up the \Firefox\ folder.

Got it!

>....or back up the entire Mozilla folder. :)
>....or better yet, back up the entire AppData folder. :)

Firefox is the only Mozilla program I really use. I use Thunderbird
sometimes but only for the same email I read with Eudora, which isn't
good with non-latin alphabets.