Files in your Mozilla profile directory

In your Mozilla profile directory are a lot of files. Most of them have really confusing filenames. Here's a list of the files you properly find in your profile directory and what they do and are good for.

If you need help in finding the path of your Mozilla profile please refer to this page.

This article is also available in: Czech

Since Netscape 8 is build on the Mozilla Firefox base all of the files that apply to Mozilla Firefox also apply to Netscape 8

Do NOT edit any files in your profile without completely exiting Mozilla. Exit Mozilla and shutdown any Mozilla Quick Launch from the System Tray before editing any files. Editing the files can cause Mozilla to not start!

Directories

bookmarkbackupsBookmark back files - (BUG 305004)
CacheCache files (temporary internet files) [about:cache] - (BUG 74085)
Cache.TrashTemporary cache directory. Only used when deleting the real Cache directory.
calendarCalendar files
cert8.dirClient Certificate database. [Edit -> Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Certificates -> Manage Certificates]
chromeUser defined styles and installed themes and extensions
extensionsExtensions directory
ImapMailIMAP mail - (BUG 108200)
MailLocal Folders and POP3 mail
NewsNewsgroups
searchpluginsSearch plugins directory
SecuritySecurity files (Mac OS only)
"Security Modules" equals "secmod.db"
"Certificates" equals "cert7.db" and "cert8.db"
"Key Database" equals "key3.db"
NimUsed in AIM. (Netscape 6/7 only)

Files

[somenumber].sPassword data [Tools -> Password Manager -> Manage Stored Passwords] - (BUG 29738)
[somenumber].wFill Form data [Tools -> Form Manager -> Edit Form Info] - (BUG 29738)
ac-weights.txtAutocomplete training weight file - (more info...)
"appreg" and "registry"Application Registry. Mozilla XPCOM registry. Files where Mozilla keeps track of it's installed pieces (Linux only)
abook.mabPersonal address book [Window -> Address book -> Personal Address Book] - (BUG 97928, BUG 108199)
bookmarks.htmlBookmarks [Bookmarks -> Manage Bookmarks]
"cert7.db" and "cert8.db"Client Certificate database [Edit -> Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Certificates -> Manage Certificates] - (cert7.db is the old format, cert8.db is the new) (BUG 108204)
"Component Registry" or "component.reg"Mozilla XPCOM registry. Files where Mozilla keeps track of its components.
cookies.txtCookies [Tools -> Cookie Manager -> Manage Stored Cookies]
cookperm.txtObsolete Replaced by hostperm.1. Cookie and Image permissions [Tools -> Cookie Manager -> Manage Stored Cookies -> Cookie Sites] and [Tools -> Image Manager -> Manage Images Permissions] - (BUG 106663)
compatibility.inicompatibility listing. Automatically generated file
components.inicomponents listing. Automatically generated file
compreg.datComponent registration listing. automatically generated file
downloads.rdfDownload Manager data [Tools -> Download Manager]
extensions.iniExtension Manager file
formhistory.datAutocomplete data for Forms (Firefox Only)
history.datURL history [Go -> History]
history.mabCollected Address book [Window -> Address Book -> Collected Addresses]
hostperm.1New Cookie and Image permissions [Tools -> Cookie Manager -> Manage Stored Cookies -> Cookie Sites] and [Tools -> Image Manager -> Manage Images Permissions] - (more info.... Supersedes cookperm.txt)
key3.dbKey database [Edit -> Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Certificates -> Manage Certificates] - (BUG 108204)
"listing-downloaded.xml" and "listing-uploaded.xml"Roaming profiles files [Edit -> Preferences -> Roaming User]
localstore.rdfDefines default windows settings. Saved persistent values. Info about toolbars, size, positions, etc - (BUG 108202)
mailViews.datDefines your current message views [View -> Customize...] (BUG 179699)
mimeTypes.rdfDefines recognized file mime types for the Helper App [Edit -> Preferences -> Navigator -> Helper Applications]
panacea.datMail folder cache. Summary of certain fields in all the mail/news databases, mostly used to display the folder pane - (BUG 108201)
panels.rdfInformation about which panels that will be displayed in the sidebar
"parent.lock" or "lock" or ".parentlock"Lock file that indicates that the profile is in use
persdict.datPersonal dictionary entries. Use by the spellcheker.
prefs.jsAll your settings [about:config]
prefs.bakBackup of your prefs.js file
search.rdfInformation about your search plug-ins
secmod.dbSecurity module database [Edit -> Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Certificates -> Manage Security Devices] - (BUG 108204)
signons.txtRemembered usernames and passwords
storage.sdbsqlite database used as mozStorage profile db - (BUG 280276)
training.datTraining data for the Bayesian filter
URL.tblExcluded Fill Form data sites [Tools -> Form Manager -> Manage Sites -> Forms Never Saved]
url-data.txtURL history datacapture file - (more info...)
user.jsUser setting which will be written into prefs.js after Mozilla is started
xpti.datXPCOM typelib information catalog
"XUL.mfl" or "XUL FastLoad File" or "XUL.mfasl"XUL fast load file. Contains precompiled chrome and JavaScript. (BUG 110096, more info...)
"Invalid.mfasl" and/or "Aborted.mfasl"At some time Mozilla invalidated your XUL fast load file. These are the files. You can just delete them if you don't want to debug them.
*.icsOld Calendar Files. New files are in the "calendar" directory.

Other Files

*.msfMail Summary Files. Contains summary of the mail folder.
Located in the ImapMail and Mail directories.
junklog.htmlJunk Mail log
rules.datContains the Mail Filters for the current server [ Edit -> Message Filters].
Located in the ImapMail and Mail directories.
msgFilterRules.datThe new filter file. Replaces rules.dat. Contains the Mail Filters for the current server [ Edit -> Message Filters].
Located in the ImapMail and Mail directories.
*.rcContains subscribe newsgroups for the current server.
Located in the News directory.
hostinfo.datContains all the newsgroups available for the current server.
Located in the News directory.
[newsgroupname].datContains filter information about the current newsgroup.
Located in the News directory. (BUG 181058)

Netscape 6/7 Files

default-connections.rdfUsed in AIM.
default-invite.rdfUsed in AIM.
default-messages.rdfUsed in AIM.
default-messages-icq.rdfUsed in AIM.
[AIMscreenname].bagUsed in AIM.
[AIMscreenname].dm.rdfUsed in AIM.

Files outside your profile directory

pluginreg.datStores the plug-in cache information.
Located in %APPDATA%\Mozilla
profiles.iniStores the profile information.
Located in %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox
registry.datStores the location of your profiles.
Located in %APPDATA%\Mozilla
mozver.datStores component version.
Located in %WINDIR% (i.e. C:\WinNT)
MozillaUninstaller.exeThe uninstaller for Mozilla.
Located in %WINDIR% (i.e. C:\WinNT)

I've been using a Windows version of Mozilla, so some of the filenames might vary on different platforms. They shouldn't since Mozilla is cross platform, but they might. Feel free to use my feedback form if you have any goodies.

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