Ubuntu Cheat Sheet Part 2 – Migrating Firefox
With a brand new load of Ubuntu running on my new computer, (see Ubuntu Cheat Sheet Part 1 – The Load), I realized how much data I had in simply the Bookmarks, saved Passwords, and even the History of Firefox. I needed to migrate Firefox onto my new computer. It will take me forever to do it all by hand.
Save Current Tabs
First, I have a few open windows I would like to keep track of for a later day. I had done some off the top searches and found some good material for another post on a different blog. If I move my old history to this computer, it may wipe out these tabs. I decided to bookmark all these tabs and them to save them as an HTML file.
Bookmark All Tabs
- I pointed at the Firefox tab I was on and right-clicked, then clicked on Bookmark All Tabs…
- I gave it a name: “New Computer”
- I saved it on the Bookmarks Toolbar so I could see it.
I could now see them on the Bookmarks Toolbar.
Saving in HTML
- From the Bookmarks Menu I clicked on Show all Bookmarks.
- On the Import and Backup Tab…
- I clicked Export bookmarks to HTML
- I put the file bookmarks.html on my desktop.
To test this I went to the desktop and double clicked on bookmarks.html, there were the links I had bookmarked.
Now I am ready to migrate my settings without fear of losing what is here.
Transfer Firefox Profile
I read the instructions at: mozillaZine
However I was impressed with the instructions at: Transfer Firefox profile from Ubuntu to Ubuntu
That instruction basically says to copy the contents of the old system at:
/home/username/.mozilla/firefox/
To the new system at the same place.
What I Did
- I exited Firefox
- I renamed the folder from firefox to firefox-old (just in case!)
(Remember it is a hidden folder so you must click Show Hidden Files):
/home/username/.mozilla/firefox-old/ - I copied the firefox folder from the old computer to this place.
/home/username/.mozilla/firefox/ - I opened Firefox and everything was fine!
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