New install but no bookmarks import
-
blufaerie last edited by
I am running Windows 8. I have downloaded and installed the newest version of Opera. "Import Bookmarks" is grayed out. I do think I may have had Opera installed on this computer a year or more ago, but I cannot find any file folders on the C drive for Opera.
I would like to import Firefox bookmarks. Any suggestions? -
lem729 last edited by
There is no way to install Firefox Bookmarks directly into Opera 21. That Bookmarks Importer in Opera 21 can only import bookmarks from Opera 12.xx But the good news is you can piggyback on the import function of Opera 12.xx, which can receive your bookmarks from Firefox, and then Opera 21 can import them via its Bookmarks Importer. Here are the steps to follow:
(a) install Opera 12 in the same installation directory folder as Opera 20. A download location for Opera 12.xxx is:(http://www.opera.com/computer) (You need to scroll about halfway down the page to find the download for Opera 12: It specifically refers to Opera 12. Otherwise you will get the Opera 21 download. Make sure to select Windows, at the top of the page, if it isn't already selected.
(b)I believe in Firefox you will need to export your bookmarks to an HTML file. See discussion at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/export-firefox-bookmarks-to-backup-or-transfer?esab=a&s=exporting+bookmarks&r=2&as=s
(c) Now click on the File Menu in Opera 12, Import & Export, and then click on Import Firefox Bookmarks. Choose the location where you put the Firefox html file of the bookmarks in step (b) above. That should bring the bookmarks to Opera 12. And we're half-way home.
(d) In Opera 21, there are two steps now: (1) press "Alt p" to access settings, browser should now be highlighted (or click on it), and in the items below under User Interface, put a check in "Show the bookmarks bar." (2)) click the Opera menu button in the top left of the browser, go to More Tools > Bookmark Importer. Click on the Bookmark Importer (hopefully, it will not be greyed out now), and then you should probably choose "import to the bookmarks bar," as opposed to the Speed Dial.
And that should do it! The bookmarks should show up in the Bookmarks Bar. Let us know if it works out.
-
blufaerie last edited by
I tried the suggestion, following the steps but still the Bookmark Importer is grayed out. I tried uninstalling Opera 21, and installing again after a reboot, but that did not help. At least I have Opera 12 now, and I really don't mind using that. Just would have liked to use the newest version. Thanks for your help anyway.
-
-
lem729 last edited by admin
I know I mentioned to have your "install" of Opera 21 in the same directory/folder as Opera 12.17. Just wanted to double check that you did that, as I still cannot figure out why you weren't able to get your bookmarks (the ones you had imported succesfully from Firefox into Opera 12) to Opera 21, and to pass along a thread discussing that. The first poster in the thread discusses how important that was in connection with importing the Opera 12.xxx bookmarks to Opera 21.
-
blufaerie last edited by
I have had a look, and Opera 21 is in a folder called 21.0.1432.67 - It appears that even though I am telling the install file to go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera it creates a new file folder and installs there. I do not know how to get around this at all!
-
-
leocg Moderator Volunteer last edited by
I have had a look, and Opera 21 is in a folder called 21.0.1432.67 - It appears that even though I am telling the install file to go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera it creates a new file folder and installs there. I do not know how to get around this at all!
This is how things work. There are some files under C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera but most of them are under a folder named with the build number.
-
blufaerie last edited by
"You can try importing them into Chrome's bookmark bar and them copy bookmarks* .* from Chrome's profile into Opera's one."
I do have Chrome installed, can you tell me how I find and can import from Chrome's profile to Opera? Thanks.
-
lem729 last edited by admin
"Import Bookmarks" is grayed out.
It's for importing old Opera Presto bookmarks only.
I would like to import Firefox bookmarks.
You can try importing them into Chrome's bookmark bar and them copy bookmarks* .* from Chrome's profile into Opera's one.
Wait, @blufaerie already imported the Firefox bookmarks into "Old Opera Presto," version Opera 12.17. Now he's asking for help to get them from Opera 12.17 to Opera 21. But his Bookmarks Importer in Opera 21 is greyed out. He now has what you call, "Old Opera Presto bookmarks" (at least I suggested, and it's my understanding that he used the Opera 12 mechanism, to import his Firefox bookmarks into Opera 21. In my initial post in this thread, I explained how to do that). Since he presumably has the Firefox bookmarks in Opera 12 (old Presto), the issue is whey is the Bookmark Importer in Opera 21 greyed out? Once he got the bookmarks from Firefox into Opera Presto (Opera 12.17), the Bookmark Importer in Opera 21 ought to function. Now I did suggest that he make sure that the Opera 12.17 installation is in the same directory/folder as the Opera 21 installation, because we have had some posters saying that that is essential to make the Bookmark Importer reliable. https://forums.opera.com/topic/2838/for-users-still-having-bookmark-and-speed-dial-issues-from-old-to-new/1
I don't know the answer on that, but because he was having trouble, I wanted him to know about those who say that the Opera Presto and Opera 21 ought to be in the same directory/folder..As for Chrome (an alternate way to get bookmarks into Opera 21), my understanding is that he ought to be able to copy the Chrome bookmarks file from the Chrome profile into the Opera 21 profile, replacing the bookmarks file (if there is one there, as it's a new install. Therefore, he needs first to find the location of the two profiles. I'm not sure where the Chrome profile is on Windows 8 as I don't have Windows 8 on my Computer. In Windows 7 the Chrome Profile is -- someone has posted in this forum -- at Chrome Bookmarks: C:\Users\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
As for the Opera profile, if he clicks on the Opera Menu, and About Opera it will provide him with the location. In Windows 7, what is in the file "Opera Stable" is the profile. Presumably Opera 21 in Windows 8 also has a profile folder called "Opera Stable."
-
leocg Moderator Volunteer last edited by
"You can try importing them into Chrome's bookmark bar and them copy bookmarks* .* from Chrome's profile into Opera's one."
I do have Chrome installed, can you tell me how I find and can import from Chrome's profile to Opera? Thanks.Once you have imported your FF bookmarks into Chrome, just copy the bookmarks* .* files from Chrome to Opera's profile folder.
-
-
lem729 last edited by
@leocq
On the Opera 21 Bookmarks Installer being greyed out:
You say, Opera Blink did not recognize the Opera Presto profile folder. If he imported from Firefox into Opera 12.17, and Opera 12.17 was in the same installation directory-folder, as Opera 21, it should have worked. Here though is the question I have.
Assuming the installation were in Windows 7 (so I can follow on my computer): To make the Bookmarks Installer in Opera 21 recognize the Blink bookmarks, should Opera 12.xxx have been installed in: (1) c:\Program Files (x86)\Opera
OR in (2) c:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\21.0.1432.57_0
I think the answer is c:\Program Files (x86)\Opera. But I just want you to confirm that. That's where blufaerie put it. Now he says: "even though I am telling the install file to go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Opera it creates a new file folder and installs there. I do not know how to get around this at all!" I don't think you have to get around that. That's the way I'm set up. My Opera.exe (for Presto) is not in a separate folder, but is in c:\Program Files (x86)\Opera. And in that same directory is a separate folder for Opera 21, that is, "21.0.1432.57_0" So blufaerie should be okay. He seems set up right to me.
Also, you say, maybe it's a x64 intall? which one? Presto is usually 32, so I assume you're referring with "it's" to Presto. If it was a 64 bit install, are you suggesting that the Blink Program Installer would not recognize the bookmarks? I believe Opera Blink and Presto are usually 32 bit, so that's unlikely the issue.
I don't know what you mean by, "or it's installed on a non default folder"?
-
lem729 last edited by
I meant to say: "Assuming the installation were in Windows 7 (so I can follow on my computer): To make the Bookmarks Installer in Opera 21 recognize the PRESTO bookmarks, should Opera 12.xxx have been installed in: (1) c:\Program Files (x86)\Opera
OR in (2) c:\Program Files (x86)\Opera\21.0.1432.57_0
I think the answer is c:\Program Files (x86)\Opera. But I just want you to confirm that." That seems to be where blufaerie put his Opera 12 (Presto) installation, as well as his Opera 21 installation.
-
leocg Moderator Volunteer last edited by
You say, Opera Blink did not recognize the Opera Presto profile folder. If he imported from Firefox into Opera 12.17, and Opera 12.17 was in the same installation directory-folder, as Opera 21, it should have worked.
Not necessarily afaik. If the profile folder is something different than "%appdata%\roaming\opera" (or equivalent depending on Windows version) then Opera will not import the settings.
-
lem729 last edited by
You say, Opera Blink did not recognize the Opera Presto profile folder. If he imported from Firefox into Opera 12.17, and Opera 12.17 was in the same installation directory-folder, as Opera 21, it should have worked.
Not necessarily afaik. If the profile folder is something different than "%appdata%\roaming\opera" (or equivalent depending on Windows version) then Opera will not import the settings.
Hmmmm. Now I'm pursuing this becomes we're getting asked to help on importing all the time. And I'm not sure I have the kernel of wisdom yet. Now, let's say someone has been using Firefox or Internet Explorer, and wants to get his bookmarks over to Opera 21. Where should we advise such a person to install Opera 12.xxxto and Opera 21 (so that not only will his installation of Opera 12.xxx be able to import the Bookmarks from Firefox or Internet Explorer, but more importantly so that Bookmark Importer in Opera 21 will become active (not greyed out) and able to import those bookmarks from Opera 12.xxx)?
I said in my initial post in this thread: "install Opera 12 in the same installation directory folder as Opera 21." Apparently that's not enough. Any suggestions on what you would have added to that phrase to ensure that your concern is met and that the profile folder in Opera 12.xxx is not something different for Windows 7, than appdata\roaming\Opera (or its equivalent for a different Windows version).
The difficulty in providing help (certain of success) for people who want to get their bookmarks into Opera 21 is an excellent reason why Opera needs to provide for Opera 21 (Blink) a highly improved Bookmarks Manager for Importing directly from other third-party browsers, and also for importing from Opera 12.xxx (Presto). Because there seems to be no guarantee of success, even in getting bookmarks from Opera 12 into Opera 21.
-
leocg Moderator Volunteer last edited by
Hmmmm. Now I'm pursuing this becomes we're getting asked to help on importing all the time. And I'm not sure I have the kernel of wisdom yet. Now, let's say someone has been using Firefox or Internet Explorer, and wants to get his bookmarks over to Opera 21. Where should we advise such a person to install Opera 12.xxxto and Opera 21 (so that not only will his installation of Opera 12.xxx be able to import the Bookmarks from Firefox or Internet Explorer, but more importantly so that Bookmark Importer in Opera 21 will become active (not greyed out) and able to import those bookmarks from Opera 12.xxx)?
I'm not sure if the install folder of Opera 21 (or any other Opera Blink) makes much difference. However, the install folder of Opera 12.xx (or any other Opera Presto) may be crucial for the import to work.
Usually a default install of Opera 12 x86 should work.
I said in my initial post in this thread: "install Opera 12 in the same installation directory folder as Opera 21." Apparently that's not enough. Any suggestions on what you would have added to that phrase to ensure that your concern is met and that the profile folder in Opera 12.xxx is not something different for Windows 7, than appdata\roaming\Opera (or its equivalent for a different Windows version).
Opera 12 (or other Opera Presto) should be installed first as Opera 21 (or newer) you try to find the existence of an Opera Presto during the installation.
So i guess the path should be something like that:
-
Install Opera 12.xx without changing the default path (make sure to have renoved any trace of previous installs)
-
Impor the bookmarks into it
-
check if the bookmarks were correctly imported
-
install Opera 21 (note that the settings importer seems to work only on the very first install of Opera Blink)
-
when asked about importing Presto settings say yes
-
go to the bookmark importer and select the ones you want to import and to where.
-
-
lem729 last edited by
Thanks, Leocg. That's a pretty interesting premise on how to go about this. No doubt our search engine will attempt to lose it.
-
blufaerie last edited by
I am pleased to say that the newest version of Opera, 22.0 imported my bookmarks.
-
lem729 last edited by
Wonderful, blufaerie. I assume it got the bookmarks from Opera 12 (where you had moved them from Firefox). All's well that ends well, though, perhaps it was a bit of a struggle.
