Windows 10
I hope this the proper place to post, or should I go here issues?
I just downloaded
This has happened on multiple occasions. My main problem has always been, not long after installing, selecting extension and choosing whatever settings within the device that suit me, until one day I will launch the browser, and get a message that everything has been reset back to default. Only my tabs have survived,
Very discouraging. Please explain.
thanks
Maybe somebody would be kind enough to direct me to somewhere else I could get assistance?
Can you fully uninstall Brave by clicking on the “Clear browsing data” toggle in the Brave uninstaller, then install Brave from the official site(https://brave.com), rather than Github?
I am a user, not a Brave employee.
Brave Browser Beta Releases:
‘https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/releases?q=beta&expanded=true’
Brave Browser Nightly Releases:
‘https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/releases?q=nightly&expanded=true’
Brave Browser Stable Releases:
‘https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/blob/master/CHANGELOG_DESKTOP.md’
You downloaded Brave Browser Nightly:
‘https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/releases/tag/v1.92.92’
Why?
And, please provide your computer architecture: Settings → System and then About (bottom left corner). It should be listed under Device Specifications ← scroll to that, and look for System type (example: 64‑bit operating system, x64‑based processor)
The Brave Browser Stable Release will typically be at one of:
64 architecture, system level installation:
C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\brave.exe
x86 architecture, system level installation:
C:\Program Files(x86)\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\brave.exe
I suspect that you have Brave Browser Stable Release installed -AND- you also have Brave Browser Nightly installed.
If 64 architecture, Brave Browser Nightly should be here:
C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser-Nightly\Application\brave.exe
Brave Browser Stable Release - User Data:
Windows OS: C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\[profile_folder_name]
Brave Browser Nightly Release - User Data:
Windows OS: C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser-Nightly\User Data\[profile_folder_name]
The actual Profile folder names for [profile_folder_name] would be:
Thanks for responding.
Microsoft Windows 10 Professional (x64) Build 19045.7291 (22H2)
I use Brave portable. This is where I go for updates Releases
Apparently, I downloaded the nightly by mistake. I just opened it, and got an “update failed” notification. I downloaded Release v1.90.128 (Chromium 148.0.7778.217) , brave-v1.90.128-win32-x64.zip.
I attempted to update the portable install, and everything was wiped once again, I restored a backup of what I know now is the nightly. That one also opened like a fresh install.
However, after I closed it, while composing this post, I just re-launched it, and everything is back. However, I’m mnot getting the update error/warning,
What am I doing wrong? I used the same method for updating as in the past, replacing the common components here
with their unzipped counterparts
I’m back to v1.92.92 for now. I’m afraid if I mess with it I will lose the data for good.
I have no simple solution for you.
I hope that you will explore all of the possible directories where you may have - over time - installed 1 or more types of Brave Browser.
IF you can get Brave Nightly running long enough … certainly go to brave://version and look at:
… in order to at least have that information; and also:
To back up what you may have
Export your bookmarks and passwords:
Scrolling down the webpage at:
https://support.brave.com/hc/en-us/articles/360018185951-How-do-I-use-the-built-in-password-manager
A note states:
“Export Passwords - Selecting Download file will export all credentials you’ve saved in your browser as a
.CSVfile onto your system. Note that anyone who has access to your system will be able to open and view this file, so it is recommended that you delete this file once you’ve used the file for its intended purpose.”
Tips on how to encrypt that .CSV file:
Be sure to safely store a copy of that CSV file on an external drive.
Two ways to get to the Bookmarks Manager.
One way:
Bookmarks --> Bookmarks ManagerExport and choose where you want to store the exported file.Another way:
brave://bookmarksThe exported file name: “bookmarks.html”
Be sure to safely store a copy of that HTML file on an external drive.
Next, after Exit / Quit Brave, back up the User Data folders at:
C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser-Nightly\User Data
C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data
Then Thoroughly Un-install Brave Browser
I use the Uninstall Tool developed by CrystalIDEA Software: ‘https://crystalidea.com/uninstall-tool’
Or, you might uninstall the Brave Browser application(s) - procedure at:
‘Every time I open the browser it closes again directly - #20 by clifton’
Be sure to uninstall the Brave Browser updater, BraveUpdate.exe - procedure at:
‘Have to re-install Brave multiple times per day on Windows11 - #24 by mherrmann’
Of course, Exit / Quit everything and restart the computer during the proceedings; esp. restart whenever in doubt.
AFTER thoroughly removing all Brave Browser installations, make a fresh Brave Nightly installation by using Brave’s suggested link: ‘https://brave.com/download-nightly/’
Because, that is your best chance to maintain Brave Nightly’s expected updating procedures.
Where you want to deviate from all that, is your decision. But I figure that your custom of simply making select file and folder changes, is going to run off the rails.
BECAUSE: Brave updating runs a variety of integrity checks that include the Local State file ← that itself, is changed by some updates … and at some point in time, your customization will not pass muster, and then the new Local State file will be forced, and “just like that,” you will have trouble.
Meanwhile, remaining on course, you could also make …
–
A Brave Browser Shortcut [target] for startup, that initializes a fresh Brave Browser User Data structure in a temporary folder named “BraveTemp01”:
"C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser-Nightly\Application\brave.exe" --user-data-dir="%TEMP%\BraveTemp01"
Note: That temporary folder named “BraveTemp01” will last until you clear %TEMP%
Note: %TEMP% is a Windows OS environment variable pointing to your Windows OS user account’s temp folder. Location: C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Local\Temp
–
You can also use an external USB drive, let’s say that you make that the "X:\" drive for your machine. Then use a new Brave Shortcut [target] for your “portable” in effect:
"C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser-Nightly\Application\brave.exe" --user-data-dir="X:\BravePortable"
Note: That will initialize a fresh Brave Browser User Data structure in directory "X:\BravePortable"
That could be your “portable” data for safe-keeping.
Currently, the Brave nightly is operating normally, as far as I can determine. In brave://settings/help, this is the error message that immediately appeared after launch with the loss of data.
I mentioned earlier that, for whatever reason, things went back to normal after one or two relaunches. I’ve relaunched multiple times since without incident.
Please indulge with me in my attempts to process your instructions. To a degree, they seem to be intended for a conventional install. My brave portable directory has always been located outside of the OS in the same area of a data drive.
I may be wrong, but the following occurred to me, perhaps a crucial piece of puzzle, thanks to your mention of the User Data folders, which I did not know existed 
. If I was aware of that, perhaps I could have averted all or at least, some of this, by backing up and restoring that directory.
I’ve been dealing with OS problems. On several occasions I’ve found it necessary to restore a months old Macrium backup image, which would have affected the contents of C:\Users[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware. Also (I don’t know what this suggests), even tho the install seems to be working ok, for the moment, I do not have a C:\Users[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser-Nightly folder.
I now have a backup of C:\Users[UserName]\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware. The majority of it’s contents are dated 6/1/26. I need to update to v1.90.128 (Chromium 148.0.7778.217). I reported how I’ve done that in the past, that recently has backfired.
Suggestions please?
Can you just use Brave stable (non-portable)? Does that not have the same issues that you currently face?
Please complete:
“N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data”
Based upon your screenshot, the Profile Path at ‘brave://version’ may be:
“N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\Default”
Do you also have additional Brave user profiles there, such as:
“N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\Profile 1”
“N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data\Profile 2”
Do you want to manually update via your replacement of “unzipped counterparts” at:
"N:\BRAVE PORTABLE"
… or, do you want Brave Browser to manage updates?
Correct
No, but for future reference, if I did want to create another profile, could I do so somehow within “N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data”, or create another “BRAVE PORTABLE” directory, i.e. “BRAVE PORTABLE 2”?
I used to have this same problem, this error, with chrome. I was under the impression that a portable version could only be updated manually.
Are we saying that Brave “portable” can manage updates? That would be great.
Otherwise, please instruct me how to do the manual update properly.
EDIT: Is there a method of moving C:\Users\mr\AppData\Local\BraveSoftware to another location?
To get the latest browser stable release running -AND- the ‘Preferences’ and ‘Local State’ files focused -AND- the Windows OS focused on exactly “what is where” … per existing Brave user profile.
A) Make sure that some browser other than Brave Browser, is the system’s default browser.
B) Delete from the Desktop, and from the Start menu, and from the Taskbar, and from anywhere else that you have them, all Brave shortcuts, and Empty the Trash.
C) Clean up the “Temp” folder at: “C:\Users[UserName]\AppData\Local\Temp”
D) Exit / Quit everything and Restart computer.
E) NOT using Brave Browser, go to: ‘https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/blob/master/CHANGELOG_DESKTOP.md’
There, click on the latest Brave Browser version number - presently: 1.91.168
In the resulting webpage, scroll down to, and select for download: brave-v1.91.168-win32-x64.zip
F) Expand that ‘.zip’ file, and do your replacement of “unzipped counterparts” at:
"N:\BRAVE PORTABLE"
G) Exit / Quit everything and restart computer. (Yes, again.)
H) Use the following command (use in Command Prompt) to start up Brave Browser:
"N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\brave.exe" --incognito --disable-extensions --no-experiments --profile-directory="Default" --user-data-dir="N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data" --disk-cache-dir="N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\Cache"
Just let the browser idle for a couple minutes. IF prompted, do not yet add a Brave shortcut to the Start menu, nor to the Taskbar.
I) Exit / Quit Brave Browser.
J) Delete all - except 1 - of the Brave shortcuts that you might by now have on the Desktop.
Edit the lone Brave shortcut on the Desktop, so the target is:
"N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\brave.exe" --profile-directory="Default" --user-data-dir="N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data" --disk-cache-dir="N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\Cache"
Then, rename that lone Brave shortcut: ‘BravePortableDefault’
K) Exit / Quit everything and restart computer. (Yes, again.)
In the process of precisely following your instructions, I stumbled upon something unexpected. I’m reporting here before I go any further.
I believed my only Brave shortcut was on my desktop toolbar, address “N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\brave.exe” --user-data-dir=“N:\BRAVE PORTABLE\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\User Data”, but just to be sure, I also checked my start menu. I’m glad I did. I was not expecting this
leading here
and this
It’s dated 6/4, v1.91.168 (Chromium 149.0.7827.54)
Up until today, the latest one I had downloaded, and tried to Install over the previous was 1.90.128 portable, which, when it didn’t work, was then replaced with a backup of the one I previously had in place.
I know there must be a logical explanation, but I’ve never experienced anything like this with a portable install.
EDIT: I then completed the process
I ran the command. Was this the expected result?
I did so.
Was this, with the update error, the expected outcome?
Please clarify “manage”. Are you asking me do I choose to remain with the portable, and follow this update routine with every new version, or abandon the portable in favor of the .exe? In other words, there is no “Brave Browser manage updates” with the portable?
