When using restart firefox you get a folder on the desktop called old firefox data i need to know how to use this folder to get my old firefox preferences back

Question

i've recently reformatted my computer and i've taken the old firefox folder from before the reformat and put it on the new one but i dont know how to use it to restore my old settings
by the way im not using a different operating system im running windows 7 like i was previously

Answer 1

Here's my suggested profile resurrection procedure using the old profile folder that's inside the Old Firefox Data folder.
'''Overview'''
These are the steps:
# Create a new Firefox profile
# Remove everything from that new profile folder
# Copy in everything from the old profile folder
'''Create a new Firefox profile (Windows)'''
Exit Firefox and start up in the Profile Manager using Start > search box (or Run):
firefox.exe -P
''Note: Any time you want to switch profiles, exit Firefox and return to this dialog.''
Click the Create Profile button and skip the option to change the folder location. Then select that new profile in the dialog and start Firefox.
'''Open the New Profile folder in Windows Explorer'''
Firefox in the new profile should look like a factory fresh installation. Open the Troubleshooting Information page using either:
* "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Troubleshooting Information
* Help menu > Troubleshooting Information
In the first table, click the "Show Folder" button. Firefox will launch your brand new profile folder in Windows Explorer.
Leaving this folder open, switch back to Firefox, and Exit. This will leave that profile folder open in Windows Explorer.
'''Copy Old Data in Place of New'''
In that new profile folder, select all the contents and delete.
Leaving that window open, open or switch over to your Old Firefox Data folder. Drill down into your old profile folder. At this level you should see a folder named bookmarkbackups among other things.
Select everything (Ctrl+a) and Copy (either right-click > Copy or Ctrl+c).
Switch to the empty new profile folder in other window and Paste (either right-click > Paste or Ctrl+v). This may take a minute since some of the files are large.
'''Start Firefox'''
Firefox should start up in that new profile with the resurrected old profile data. Success?