How do I backup Firefox add-on like "Fastdial" addon for a reinstall?
2014-03
danacon
I am doing a new install of Firefox and over the years my Windows "roaming folder" I use for backup has gotten all clogged up from so many add-ons and crap... I want to backup just a couple Firefox add-on's, one is "Fast dial" How do I backup this add-on and its addresses for when I reinstall Firefox and the add-on, so It will go back to where it is now?
Most add-on's have a backup feature like "too many tabs" bookmarks and such but fast dial doesn't? so How do I backup this add-on?
and /or addons like it without a backup feature? Thanks in advance any help or options would be a big help. Dana
afrazier
Make a copy of the prefs.js file from your profile folder. That contains nearly all of the options and settings from Firefox and all your extensions. Use it as a reference when reconfiguring your new profile, if you don't want to import it wholesale.
Some extensions store some of their data externally though. Examples being Adblock Plus's blocklists, Stylish's UserStyles, Scriptish's UserScripts, etc.
The safest thing to do is backup your entire profile. That way if you can't find or remember something, you can dig around in your backup until you find it.
DragoonHP
Use FEBE (a Firefox addon) for backup settings, profile, pref... anything you want.
Chris_K
Fast Dial stores everything with the bookmarks folder so if you're doing any sort of bookmark synching you get it replicated to your other machines/browsers. I use Xmarks but there are certainly tons of other options including the native Mozilla one that's part of FF 4.
I use my Fast Dial bookmarks in Chrome, for instance. Not quite the same experience but still convenient.
Option B just occurred to me while writing the above.
In firefox go to Bookmarks -> Organize Bookmarks. You'll see the Fast Dial folder in the list. Right-click on it and choose "Export" to save your current 'marks.
Jonathan Kushner
I'd like a program which could zip up all of my addons in firefox so i can just move it to a new computer and walah install the same extensions/addons with one click. i know this is already developed because i've used it before however i can't remember the name to it.
thanks for the help!
nik
FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up -- It will actually rebuild your extensions individually into installable .xpi files. Now you can easily synchronize your office and home browsers.
CLEO (Compact Library Extension Organizer) is a Firefox extension that works with FEBE to package any number of extensions/themes into a single, installable .xpi file.
also, OPIE (Ordered Preference Import/Export) is a Firefox extension that allows you to import and export your installed extension preferences. This is useful when installing extensions in a new profile, or synchronizing multiple Firefox installations.
I also keep my profile backed up for recovery and to start using it on a new machine.
Ither
I used CLEO and FEBE until I found MozBackup. Is far easier to use and allows you to backup and restore bookmarks, mail, contacts, history, extensions, passwords, etc.
nik
nik's answer referencing FEBE is probably what you're looking for. Just wanted to point out that mozilla also provides the 'addon collector' extension that allows you to subscribe to extension collections. If you also install the 'massive extender' extension, you can install all your add-ons in one batch.
Brian
You can also create an Add-On collection on Mozilla's web site, and list all your favorite extensions there. Also, you can use the add-on collector to subscribe to others collections..