If you have used any of the web browsers available today, you will find that a good browser backup tool is necessary to backup all the bookmarks, settings, plugins, and the various personalization done to the browser.

Backups are necessary to ensure that you won’t have to go through the lengthy process of reinstating the browsers settings and customizations in case of any system error that requires OS reinstallation. These backups also enables you to re-use the same browser settings and configurations on other computers system with a few clicks.

Personally I use Firefox and Chrome browsers the most, and I found the following free tools the best there is in performing the backup tasks:-

For Firefox/Flock

1. Mozbackup

MozBackup provides backup and restoration of your Firefox/Flock profiles (yes, even multiple profiles) which includes bookmarks, contacts, history, extensions, saved passwords, certificates, add-ons and etc. The main features are:

• Supports other Mozilla-based application such as Thunderbird, Songbird, Netscape and even portable applications, such as a portable Firefox (which I use for testing purposes). You can find the list of supported platforms and applications on the software main page.
• Password protect feature for your profile backup file (single .pcv file)
• Comes in installable program or portable version which can be used in USB drive.
• Ability to schedule automatic profile backup using Task Scheduler, see instruction here.

Download Install version | Portable version

2. FEBE Firefox plugin

Another great tool which I must mention is the FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) which is an add-on plugin for Firefox browser. Once installed, the plugin can be used to backup extensions, themes, bookmarks, preferences, passwords, cookies and profiles.

Main features includes:

• Once click easy backup from the toolbar
• Backup scheduling on daily, weekly, or monthly basis with reminder
• Ability to backup other folders apart form Firefox folder
• Backup your favorite plug-ins into a single .xpi file which can be used for installation
• Time-stamped backup folders which can be easily managed
• Ability to upload to Box.net account if you have one

Download the Firefox add-on.

For Chrome

The aptly named Google Chrome Backup tool is a single .exe file (<1MB) and features the ability to backup and restore the entire user data profile in Chrome/Chromium browser.

Some notable features:

• Quick wizard backup features in less than 4 clicks.
• Multiple profile backup and management
• Password protect backup file
• Backup compression rate selection
• Tray icon for fast access

There is an unlock feature (costs USD4.60) which adds some additional bonus features, but in my opinion the current version is really good enough.

Download Google Chrome Backup

For Internet Explorer 8

Backrex Internet Explorer Backup is a backup and restore tool which backup favorites, history, proxy settings, fonts, dialup accounts, autocomplete passwords and cookies. It requires installation and supports IE6, IE7 and IE8 versions. The main features include simple to use wizard backup interface, scheduling capability and even saves auto complete passwords.

Download the Backrex Internet Explorer Backup setup program.

For Opera

The free tool, OperaFly, for backing up Opera browsers profile is very customizable with plenty of features which includes:

• Supports the new Opera 10
• Highly customizable with item selection to be backup
• Extensive backup scheduling options
• Ability to restore profiles from Gmail, FTP or HTTP

I found that the program does have plenty features but it would help a lot if there was some wizard to simplify the backup and restore process. There are still some known issues which you can read in the author’s website.

Download installer version | portable version.

For All Browsers – FavBackup

If you prefer a single program to backup all your browsers (IE, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, then FavBackup tool will be suitable as no-fuss browser backup program. FavBackup is a straightforward program with the common options to backup and restore, backup folder path selection (remember to create a separate folder for your different browsers) and the option to select what to backup.

The program is a standalone program and is easy to use.

Download the FavBackup program.

There you have it, the browser backup tools which I found to be extremely useful. What do you use?

Related posts:

1. Portable Chrome, Firefox 3.1, Opera, Safari and IE8
2. PStart: Portable Apps Launcher [Recommended]

Some of the notable features:

• Grouping portable applications into categories
• Uses relative paths (in portable mode), this means the application can be started even when the drive letter changes
• Ability to scan and auto add all the portable apps stored on the flash disk
• Built-in search function to locate all portable apps on local and USB drive
• Allows you to write little notes which you can set reminders and notifications
• Highly configurable settings page which let users define their own preferences
• Can be set to run to run automatically when flash disk inserted into the computer

I have found another usage where I can copy and carry all the useful application installer (non-portable apps) in my USB flash disk and adding those installer to the PStart menu. This way, I can organize and install all the applications from one location instead of locating each executable file. IT support people should find this real handy when performing those ‘Windows re-installation’ procedure. Recommended freeware with no advertisement. Click here to go to the download page.

Related posts:

1. Portable Chrome, Firefox 3.1, Opera, Safari and IE8
2. UbitMenu: Changes Office 2007 Menu Style Back to Office 2003 [Recommended]
3. How To Backup IE8, Firefox, Flock, Chrome and Opera Browsers

(Click thumbnail for larger image)

Did you know Twitter site allows users to add special characters and unicode symbols to the tweet messages? These special characters are usually accessible through the built in Character Map application in Windows, but it is too much hassle to open up the application through the windows start button.

The folks at the Next Web has come up with an applet called TwitterKeys which groups these symbols together in a mini window that you can copy and paste from. All you need to do is just drag the link provided to your browser toolbar and click on it to start using.

I think this is an excellent tool as this saves a lot of characters being used if you have a long tweet message.

Sample taken from the Next Web:

“I’m going to ? to ? in the morning after I make a ? to make sure my ? is ? with it. ? for now and don’t forget to ? and lets have ? soon!”

Related posts:

1. Twitter got facelifted (Much improved UI)

It appears that Google has released a beta version of its newly developed browser, code named Google Chrome. It should be downloadable by tomorrow on Sept 3rd.

However I soon found out that this release is only accessible currently to 100 countries only, so I have to wait if it is available here tomorrow.

The news was ‘leaked’ out yesterday in Google’s own blog and according to the blog, the open source browser will be ‘clean, fast, and it gets out of your way and gets you where you want to go’.

Sounds good already. Here’s a screenshot courtesy from Crunchbase:

Some of the features of Google Chrome browser reported:

• Tabbed browsing where each tab gets its own address bar and separate process. This means if the current tab crashes it would not take the whole browser with it.
• Includes Google Gears.
• An Opera-like tab page where you can view nine recently viewed webpage in thumbnail and can be ‘dragged out’ to create a new tab itself.
• ‘Incognito mode’ feature which basically lets you surf anonymously and privately without storing your sessions information such as cookie. Similar to Safari’s ‘Private Browsing’ feature.
• Support for web applications type apps, such as Adobe’s AIR.
• New javascript engine that is built ground up and optimized for speed.
• Malware and phishing option built in that updates automatically.

No related posts.