# Backing up Firefox **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 23, 2006, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backing-up-firefox/357885 "2006-05-23T12:39:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backing-up-firefox/357885/1 "2006-05-23T12:39:12Z")
Is there an easy way to back up my installation of Firefox, saving all my extensions, plugins and settings? ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backing-up-firefox/357885/2 "2006-05-23T15:41:33Z")
> [@Peter Morris](#): > > Is there an easy way to back up my installation of Firefox, saving all my extensions, plugins and settings? Try [Moz Backup](http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/). It does warn that not all extensions will work, though I had no problems. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backing-up-firefox/357885/3 "2006-05-24T10:43:02Z")
I usually just back up my profile directory. On the new computer, I’ll delete the existing one and then restore my backup there. The directory is: **C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR\_USERNAME\Application Data\Mozilla** Or simply: **%appdata%\mozilla** I think that gets everything, extensions included. This didn’t use to work in the past (it’d require multiple restarts), but I think version 1.5 fixed it? ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backing-up-firefox/357885/4 "2006-05-24T16:18:14Z")
You could install and use [Portable Firefox](http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/browsers/portable_firefox), which keeps everything Firefox-related in one handy directory in the first place. I have FF installed on a USB drive, so that I can 1) use it at work, where non-standard apps mysteriously disappear from time to time, and B) I can bring my browser, settings, bookmarks, passwords, and even sessions anywhere I go. It’s really handy. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backing-up-firefox/357885/5 "2006-05-25T08:41:48Z")
**Troy** , this might be a strange question, but would you happen to know of any USB drives that can be write-protected with a hardware switch (like the old 3.5" floppies)? I’d love to use Portable Firefox myself, but I don’t want rogue computers tampering with my USB drive… ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backing-up-firefox/357885/6 "2006-05-25T18:07:01Z")
I don’t, but I’m sure they’re out there. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backing-up-firefox/357885/7 "2006-05-25T18:29:58Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > **Troy** , this might be a strange question, but would you happen to know of any USB drives that can be write-protected with a hardware switch (like the old 3.5" floppies)? I’d love to use Portable Firefox myself, but I don’t want rogue computers tampering with my USB drive… I have an older 128MB EasyDisk USB key with a write-protect switch. I don’t know if it’s available on current products.