14 DAY TRIAL // Almost every computer user knows that saving the bookmarks of your browser and the settings for your email client is not a pleasant job, despite the low effort invested. Those using Mozilla based engines are now in luck as there is a very small and easy to use application that can create backups for the different profiles in Firefox, Thunderbird, Seamonkey web browser, Mozilla Suite and Netscape.
MozBackup is developed by Pavel Cvrcek and the little contraption will create backup files for the different profiles available in the above mentioned applications. MozBackup is absolutely free and the service provided is guaranteed. No fuss, no hassle, no deep digging. The opposite function of backup is also supported by the program and restoring is done as easy as backing up.
Installing the software should take under a minute and the profile backup take about 10 seconds. The same amount of time is necessary for restoring a certain profile. I think not all of you are familiar with profiles in Firefox and Thunderbird. That is normal as there aren't too many computer users that feel the need of multiple profiles in these two programs. Besides, there is absolutely no way to access profiles from the interface of the applications.
Both Firefox and Thunderbird can handle multiple profiles, according to the needs of the user. By default the user works with only one profile, the default one. In Firefox multiple profiles and profile management is an advanced feature intended for developers. Nevertheless, if several persons are using your computer, just like they have different accounts, they may want different settings for the browser and client manager.
The profile manager is not accessible from the interface of any of the two applications. For invoking it you will have to type "firefox.exe -ProfileManager" for Firefox profile manager and "thunderbird.exe -ProfileManager" for the Thunderbir equivalent. These being said, you can proceed to creating as many profiles as you want.
MozBackup will save all your profiles in a single, easy to restore file. The interface is actually a wizard that guides you through completing the backup or restore job. The first step of the wizard recommends closing all Windows applications while you are working with MozBackup. We dared not listen to the warning and proceeded to action.
Step number two is choosing the operation you want to perform: backup a profile or restore one. In the lower part of the window there are listed the applications detected by MozBackup on your computer. On the testing computer, only Thunderbird and Firefox are present, so the program "guessed" right. As soon as you select your application "Next" button will automatically unlock.
Profile selection window shows the available profiles for the previously selected software. I am a bit at a loss here, as I could not find an use for the New profile button (which is also locked). Overlooking this aspect, you should go straight to defining the path for saving the backup file. You should know that the default folder is deeply stored on your hard drive, and if you are using Total Commander configured to hide system folders... that's a long way home.
The greatest feature sported by MozBackup is definitely its ability to protect the backup file with a password. The application will ask politely if you want to password protect the backup file and if you are positive on that the Set Password screen will be promptly displayed.
The last step in the process is choosing the elements to be included in the backup. Some of the components are selected by default by the application, like general settings. But generally, depending on the software you want to create a backup for you will have your chance to include emails, address books, bookmarks, history, sidebars, user styles, extensions, saved passwords, cookies, downloaded file list, certificates and cache files.
Regarding the extensions, the author warns that some of these contraptions have restoration issues and MozBackup cannot detect all of them. So enabling this function is at your own risk.
The profile restoring process is as easy as backing up. The wizard will still assist you and there is no possible mistake to be made.
The Good
The best thing is that it is finally out. There will be no more trouble with digging for the profile and copying it to some "surface" location.
Protecting them with passwords is definitely a very good idea.
The Bad
I'm a little disappointed by the extensions issue, but considering that the software is at the beginning and judging by the number of extensions for Firefox only, I can overlook this aspect for a while.
The Truth
I've been waiting for some time for such an application. It is free, reliable and due to the wizard included it is super-easy to use.
I am just wondering when an equivalent for Opera is going to appear.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
