Backing up FireFox Bookmarks

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Fortunately I learned my lesson from the FF Reset when I had to start over with FF, so before I even attempted to follow your first attempt, I scrolled down to what I would have to do to get my computer working right again and I found, "If the steps above don't work, you may need to reinstall Windows." That's just too high a risk to take. If it didn't work and Windows had to be reinstalled, I would have to find a new tech person and around here that's not easy, take this computer all apart, somehow get it down to the car, and spend a bunch of money to get it right again.

The second doesn't seem any better. It contradicts itself,

"Refresh your PC without affecting your files​


If your PC isn't performing as well as it once did, and you don't know why, you can refresh your PC without deleting any of your personal files or changing your settings."

But then it says,
"Warning: Apps you installed from websites and DVDs will be removed. Apps that came with your PC and apps you installed from Microsoft Store will be reinstalled. Windows puts a list of removed apps on your desktop after refreshing your PC."

And then even if I ignored the warning, there's the problem following the directions. Nothing happens when I swipe in from the right edge of the screen. And Settings are no where I know to find them.

To refresh your PC​

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
 
One final thing that you could attempt is create a new account and see if Firefox saves that way.

Remember that it will be a different account and your bookmarks will only show under your user.

This will tell us of there is corruption in windows or the current user.
 
I guessed I had to create a new email address, so I did. Took a while because the first couple wanted a cell phone number. Finally got that set up and then created the FF account. But I don't know that I ever created an account before. All I ever remember doing is clicking on the FF icon and it starting up with my tabs and bookmarks and history. When I click on the FF icon, it opens the "old" account. How do I open the "new" account?
 
You wanted me to create a new account to see what FF would do. I wasn't sure how to do that, so I looked up how to create a FF account. And that's what I tried to do, create a new account but FF only opens the "old" account when I click on the icon. I don't know about on my computer, isn't FF on my computer?
 
If you are ever unsure about the instructions being given ask.

You need to create a new user on you computer that you can log in with.

This way you can see if it is windows, or the current account.
 
I do understand it can be hard for someone who knows a lot of techy stuff to be specific in their instructions to someone like me. From what you wrote I was sure, you wanted me to make a new FF account, which I tried to do. No where in post #22 did you say create a new computer account. I am a senior with limited techy vocabulary and skills and I try really hard to understand and follow directions. I don't know enough to get inferences that something should be done when it isn't stated clearly. And I don't know when or what I don't know but when I'm not sure I do ask.
And to that end, I've never heard of creating a new user on my computer. How do I do that? Windows 8.1, with a set up like the old XP,
 
Press the Windows Key + E
On the top bar click on Open Control Panel
Depending on how you have the view it may be
User Accounts and Family Safety or just User Accounts
If Just User Accounts select that the skip to here section
If User Accounts and Family Safety select this
Then User Accounts
Top one should be User Accounts
(Skip to here)
Select Manage another account
Select Add a New Users in PC Settings
Select on the bottom Sign In Without a Microsoft Account (not recommended)
Select Local Account
Enter in the information select Next
Select Finish
Log out of current use and log in under the new user.
 
I followed your directions, entered a simple name and easy password and clicked Finish. Then Log in under new User. It ran for a while saying, Installing Apps, Taking Care of a few things, Getting Apps Ready. MS Edge came up, I clicked Accept. It wanted a password, but when I entered the password I just created, it said incorrect. I tried a couple more times, but always incorrect. I had written the password down so I know it was correct. I started getting scared I screwed something up. I looked at the other things, tried App Store (I think it was) to get FF, but it wasn't there. I couldn't figure out what to do and I got even more scared, I know this is probably very easy, automatic easy for you, but it's not for me. I tried to write down what was happening but the more I tried to figure it out, the more confused I got, and scared I got. I finally had to get back to my account so I could see I hadn't screwed up my computer and calm down.
 
Now I am confused you were and or were not able to access the new account? If you got access to the new account then Firefox should of been there since it is on the primary account. You stated that you were able to access the App Store for Firefox guessing from that you were able to. Firefox should of been directly on your desktop? Are you sure that you have Windows 8 on your system MS Edge did not come out until Windows 10? Press the Windows key + R and in the text box type winver what version of windows does it show just to confirm.
 
Welcome to my world of confusion....

I was able to open the new account. FF wasn't on the desktop. (a lot of things like to "should" on me.)
I went to the app store because that was about the only thing available, but FF wasn't there to download.
Windows 8, didn't include my last name which is below the last line.

I got my courage up and tried again. On the desktop was Recycle Bin and MS Edge.
A window opened: "OpenVPN GUI is not started. Tasks requiring admin access may not work" Clicked OK. Another window: "No config files found" Clicked OK. Closed itself.

On the bottom bar: little squares in an icon, File Folder, Store, MS Edge.

I went into the Store again, Searched, no FF

Tried the little squares icon, and there was FF! Opened it and it brought up a new FF, no bookmarks or anything. I typed in a couple websites I know by heart and saved them. Then miracle of miracles, I could not only save them and move them around, I could delete them! Then I tried Show All Bookmarks, could delete and remove them. Then went to Import and Backup and was able to save to the desktop both the Backup... and Export to HTML, both with today's date!

Now that is great news for my kitty (I used her name for the new account) and a little good news for me (at least I accomplished something) but I don't know in the long run how that helps here. I tried again hoping by some miracle it might have changed how FF works here, but it's all the same.
 

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Apologize about the delay in getting back to you.

It appears the the new user that you created is working correctly.
You are able to safe the bookmarks where you want, remove them, ETC...

Few things we can do that may fix the affected user this seems to be more a windows issue than a Firefox.

By using the System File Checker command
If some Windows functions aren't working or Windows crashes, use the System File Checker to scan Windows and restore your files. 

Or since we have validated that the new user is working just transfer all documents, bookmarks, and such over.
 
I've been dealing with other stuff, so the break from this problem has been OK, though this morning I was a little concerned I had been abandoned. So, thank you for replying, no matter the delay. Hope the delay was fun for you, rather than being sick, or something like that.

First, I don't know what the System File Checker command is or how I would scan Windows and restore my files. Would it work on on ALL my files? What would happen if it didn't like me that day, and messed up?

I'm not sure I want to give my kitty the power over my computer, so I could create a new user and transfer all of my everything to it? I did create the kitty account, hopefully I could do it again. And then delete the other user accounts? I don't know how to do that either. Transferring files sounds like a huge undertaking just because FF won't backup its Bookmarks or delete files.

Which choice is easier, nvolves fewer files. less straight up learning curve?

I feel like there's another question I should ask but my mind is on the ice cream social we're having in a little while. So, if you have the answer, that would save me from having to ask it.
 
Press the Windows key + X there should be a shortcut menu that comes up in the lower left. While logged in using the affected user.

Select Command Prompt (Admin)
Type
sfc /scannow
Click to expand...
There is a space between the SFC and /

Bernadine said:
I'm not sure I want to give my kitty the power over my computer, so I could create a new user and transfer all of my everything to it? I did create the kitty account, hopefully I could do it again. And then delete the other user accounts?
Click to expand...
Yes and just follow the instruction from post # 28
Once the account is create and we are absolutely positive nothing is missing the account can be deletes.

Not that hard to do just time consuming. Just another reason to keep things backed up on external drives.
 
Would this be relevant - that I do have everything backed up on an external hard drive.? Of course except not FF Bookmarks. That's how I finally gave in and admitted that the FF backup and delete were not working. And of course now that I've spent hours upon days of going all of my bookmarks, updating them and just getting them all in good order, any backup I made before would be useless now.

I've some other things to do before the next stretch of hot weather, so it may be a day or two before I can get started on this.
Thanks
 
Not a problem take your time.

Post 11 shows the files just need to right click on the shortcut file and select properties

Look under the Shortcut Tab and look in the Start in or click on the Open File Location.
 
Firefox is not working bookmarks are still there but it keeps not responding. This is second reply what was the first I'm on a tablet someone loaned me and I'm not sure how to use it either. Malwarebytes said there was an update but something went wrong with it and it has pop back up at least four times. If I try control alt delete it takes a long time or not at all for task manager to open. I'm not even sure if I'm logged in here and if you get this message. I'm so tired of trying to make this work. It just gets worse and worse.
 
Talkin about the original user me. I switched users and after a minute or so Malwarebytes open the same ready to download little window. There is nothing on the new user so there isn't anyway I know to see if it's working okay. Closed new user down and back to my old user me. Tried again to open Firefox, second time now, and still not opening. Tried opening File Explorer and OpenOffice but neither opened. Now maybe 10 minutes later Firefox finally opened with a white screen and at the top it says Firefox (not responding). And large hourglass is there. Shut down computer. Said one app needs to be closed first, but did close down.
 
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