Charles,
First, you can't put the files directly into "C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles". They have to go into the subfolder with the random string name, and they have to be copied in when Firefox is not running. I don't have any better instructions than that because I haven't needed to deal with Firefox settings like that in many years (see below).
If the old computer is working at all, your easiest, future-proof solution would be to sign up for a Firefox account (https://accounts.firefox.com). That will allow you to sync multiple aspects of your Firefox experience. You can synchronize your bookmarks, passwords, addons, open tabs, history, and other settings. I don't recall what the default sync settings are, but it's easy to turn each "type" on and off.
Then, anytime you install (or use) Firefox, you can sign into your account and have your "important stuff" immediately available. At least some aspects of synching are available on FF mobile too. (I don't use mobile much, so I'm not sure.) As an example, I sync my bookmarks, addons, addresses and settings. I browse very differently on my different machines, so I do not want to sync my tabs or history. When I add a new bookmark at work, it just appears in every other instance of Firefox I use.
Also, I would recommend against storing (or synching) your passwords in the browser. Use a purpose-built password manager. My personal recommendation is BitWarden, but 1Password is also a safe choice. (By "safe", I mean that they have no way to access your passwords -- unlike some other well-storied products -- so even if they are hacked, your information is safe.) Password managers will also sync between many devices and integrate into your browser, but are much more secure than the browser password storage itself.
Erich
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 13:44, Charles Meyer eloquently inscribed:
> My esteemed listmates,
>
> For days I've been grappling with this task.
>
> I have exported my Firefix bookmarks and passwords to a flash drive from
> my old (dying) laptop to my newere refurbished laptop.
>
> The replacement files (logins.json and key4.db) were in my old profile
> folder:
>
> My new FF profile folder is
> C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
>
> I copied logins.json and key4.db into there but when I open FF on the new
> laptop to Menu > Bookmarks > Import > Restore ....nothing happens. It just
> sits there.
>
> I've posted this on a Mozilla support forum and each poster suggest
> something different or leaves out steps and they have no step - by step to
> accomplish this task.
>
> If you have actually accomplished this task (not read a Knowledge base) but
> done it yourself would you please share those steps?
>
> I also wanted to move my old passwords to my nee laptop but the posters
> shard that's complicated. Not exactly a helpful reply.
>
> I exported the passwords as a .cvs file.
>
> For the future do you use Clonezilla or some backup software so you press
> Backup and it saves your hard drive on to a flash or external hard drive
> and then on your new PC you press Install?
>
> I'd like something I can easily use to get everything on to the new
> laptop and not have to spend days "recovering" from a dying laptop.
>
> Thank you so much.
>
> Charles.
>
> Charlotte County Public Library
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