Web Browser Backup And Restore
The importance of web browsers has risen in past years especially with the shift from desktop applications to web based applications and services.
Web browsers are not just tools anymore only that display websites on a computer system; they can be used for a wide variety of things including many that were not really possible just years ago.
This means on the other hand that it can be disastrous if things go wrong and that users better prepare for that situation.
FavBackup browser backup
FavBackup is a web browser backup and restore application for the Windows operating system that supports the five popular web browsers Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari and Google Chrome.
You can use FavBackup to backup and restore web browser settings and files, and also to convert data.
FavBackup displays a list of options and the web browsers it supports in its interface upon startup. It should be noted that the software program is fully portable and does not require an installation.
The options that it provides include creating a backup of a selected web browser, of all selected web browsers and to restore these settings again.
Only one web browser can be backed up or restored at a time. It is for example possible to backup all different versions of Firefox or Google Chrome using the safe backup option. Backing up Firefox and Internet Explorer on the other hand would require two backup runs as they are different browsers.
The difference between the backup and safe backup option is that the former only backs up the default web browser installation while the second will backup all installations (read browser profiles and installations) of the selected web browser.
That's great if you have two or more versions of a browser installed, for instance Firefox Stable and Nightly, or Google Chrome Stable and Dev.
FavBackup displays a list of settings and files that can be backed up after you have made the what to backup selection.
Options provided here include backing up bookmarks, cookies, browser extensions, preferences or the browsing history to name just a few.
One interesting aspect of the program is that it is possible to restore less data. It is for example possible to only restore bookmarks or cookies only, although a full browser backup was created previously.
You may select the backup location obviously, and need to select a backup if you want to restore it.
Closing Words
There are a few things that could be improved by the developer though. The first would be to provide an option to backup multiple web browsers at once. This is more comfortable than having to start the backup software multiple times to backup all installed browsers.This applies only to systems where different browsers are installed on of course.
An option to backup portable versions of the web browsers would also come in handy. Finally support for Opera 10 has to be added so that it can be backed up as well.
FavBrowser is a free portable software program for the Windows operating system that can be used to backup and restore web browsers easily.
Update: Please note that the program has not been updated since 2011. It is not compatible anymore with recent versions of supported browsers and while it may still work, it is suggested to use different backup programs instead.
Alternatives that you may want to try are Hekasoft Backup & Restore which supports a wide variety of web browsers and programs that you can backup (may contain adware offers during installation), KLS Mail Backup which despite the name supports popular web browsers as well, or Free Backup Software.
Try BrowserBackup (http://cjcr-soft.com). Works like a charm. (Backups chorme, opera 10/11, firefox..).
For Backing up and restoring Firefox items like Bookmarks, Addons, and Themes, you may also want to try FEBE https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2109 .. I have never had a problem with it (backing up or restoring) .. although I will give this FavBackup Program a try .. I am also on the lookout for good useful programs (especially freewares) to add to my site
-Xmetal
Just this weekend did I reinstall my Opera to make it fresh again and fortunately had all the settings backed up safely.
I strongly recommend using Opera’s Link for syncing data and settings as well as using the Link as a last-chance backup in case something goes wrong. It doesn’t keep all data and settings but can save the most important at the very least, like bookmarks for instance.
Browsers’ level of importance is beginning to almost match the one of operating systems, therefore it’s a really good idea to have it backed up on multiple levels.
I use ‘KLS Mail Backup’ ( http://www.kls-soft.com/klsmailbackup/index.php ), which backups IE, Firefox, Opera, but not Chrome, as well as several e-mail clients’ data. The free version is quite accomplished, and all options can be included in one profile, enabling a one-click backup.
We are still awaiting for reply from Opera Software on Opera 10 paths, unless someone has them already, let me know.
Will give it a shot next format. Thanks for the heads up.
Great! thankyou…
I will reinstall Ubuntu and Vista in few hrs :)
Thankgod he has support for Opera 10..
hope he restores stumble upon menu too.
Although the bokkmars are constantly updated in the cloud.
No Opera 10 support yet.
I really do not know or this program is a good choice this because with Internet Explorer it won’t restore some of the settings.
And there is more like restoring backups directly from DVD/CD drive can give error. And there are more know issues. The thougt is quite good but maybay for now its (still) better the use a specific program to backup, like (for firefox) mozbackup.