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
| bookmarkbackups | Bookmark back files - (BUG 305004) |
| Cache | Cache files (temporary internet files) [about:cache] - (BUG 74085) |
| Cache.Trash | Temporary cache directory. Only used when deleting the real Cache directory. |
| calendar | Calendar files |
| cert8.dir | Client Certificate database. [Edit -> Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Certificates -> Manage Certificates] |
| chrome | User defined styles and installed themes and extensions |
| extensions | Extensions directory |
| ImapMail | IMAP mail - (BUG 108200) |
| Local Folders and POP3 mail | |
| News | Newsgroups |
| searchplugins | Search plugins directory |
| Security | Security files (Mac OS only) "Security Modules" equals "secmod.db" "Certificates" equals "cert7.db" and "cert8.db" "Key Database" equals "key3.db" |
| Nim | Used in AIM. (Netscape 6/7 only) |
Files
| [somenumber].s | Password data [Tools -> Password Manager -> Manage Stored Passwords] - (BUG 29738) |
| [somenumber].w | Fill Form data [Tools -> Form Manager -> Edit Form Info] - (BUG 29738) |
| ac-weights.txt | Autocomplete 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.mab | Personal address book [Window -> Address book -> Personal Address Book] - (BUG 97928, BUG 108199) |
| bookmarks.html | Bookmarks [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.txt | Cookies [Tools -> Cookie Manager -> Manage Stored Cookies] |
| cookperm.txt | Obsolete 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.ini | compatibility listing. Automatically generated file |
| components.ini | components listing. Automatically generated file |
| compreg.dat | Component registration listing. automatically generated file |
| downloads.rdf | Download Manager data [Tools -> Download Manager] |
| extensions.ini | Extension Manager file |
| formhistory.dat | Autocomplete data for Forms (Firefox Only) |
| history.dat | URL history [Go -> History] |
| history.mab | Collected Address book [Window -> Address Book -> Collected Addresses] |
| hostperm.1 | New 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.db | Key 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.rdf | Defines default windows settings. Saved persistent values. Info about toolbars, size, positions, etc - (BUG 108202) |
| mailViews.dat | Defines your current message views [View -> Customize...] (BUG 179699) |
| mimeTypes.rdf | Defines recognized file mime types for the Helper App [Edit -> Preferences -> Navigator -> Helper Applications] |
| panacea.dat | Mail folder cache. Summary of certain fields in all the mail/news databases, mostly used to display the folder pane - (BUG 108201) |
| panels.rdf | Information 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.dat | Personal dictionary entries. Use by the spellcheker. |
| prefs.js | All your settings [about:config] |
| prefs.bak | Backup of your prefs.js file |
| search.rdf | Information about your search plug-ins |
| secmod.db | Security module database [Edit -> Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Certificates -> Manage Security Devices] - (BUG 108204) |
| signons.txt | Remembered usernames and passwords |
| storage.sdb | sqlite database used as mozStorage profile db - (BUG 280276) |
| training.dat | Training data for the Bayesian filter |
| URL.tbl | Excluded Fill Form data sites [Tools -> Form Manager -> Manage Sites -> Forms Never Saved] |
| url-data.txt | URL history datacapture file - (more info...) |
| user.js | User setting which will be written into prefs.js after Mozilla is started |
| xpti.dat | XPCOM 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. |
| *.ics | Old Calendar Files. New files are in the "calendar" directory. |
Other Files
| *.msf | Mail Summary Files. Contains summary of the mail folder. Located in the ImapMail and Mail directories. |
| junklog.html | Junk Mail log |
| rules.dat | Contains the Mail Filters for the current server [ Edit -> Message Filters]. Located in the ImapMail and Mail directories. |
| msgFilterRules.dat | The new filter file. Replaces rules.dat. Contains the Mail Filters for the current server [ Edit -> Message Filters]. Located in the ImapMail and Mail directories. |
| *.rc | Contains subscribe newsgroups for the current server. Located in the News directory. |
| hostinfo.dat | Contains all the newsgroups available for the current server. Located in the News directory. |
| [newsgroupname].dat | Contains filter information about the current newsgroup. Located in the News directory. (BUG 181058) |
Netscape 6/7 Files
| default-connections.rdf | Used in AIM. |
| default-invite.rdf | Used in AIM. |
| default-messages.rdf | Used in AIM. |
| default-messages-icq.rdf | Used in AIM. |
| [AIMscreenname].bag | Used in AIM. |
| [AIMscreenname].dm.rdf | Used in AIM. |
Files outside your profile directory
| pluginreg.dat | Stores the plug-in cache information. Located in %APPDATA%\Mozilla |
| profiles.ini | Stores the profile information. Located in %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox |
| registry.dat | Stores the location of your profiles. Located in %APPDATA%\Mozilla |
| mozver.dat | Stores component version. Located in %WINDIR% (i.e. C:\WinNT) |
| MozillaUninstaller.exe | The 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.
