[Fix] Opera 102 Deletes User Browsing Data and Opens with Blank Profile

If you upgraded to Opera 102 or later version and all your personal browsing data such as bookmarks, history, cache, settings, extensions, password, etc deleted automatically, this article will help you in recovering and restoring the lost data again.

PROBLEM: Personal Data and User Profile Lost After Opera 102 Update

Recently Opera team released version 102 for their popular Opera web browser. When the automatic update rolled out to all Opera users, many people started complaining about a weird and annoying issue. After upgrading to Opera 102 version, the web browser started with a blank or empty profile without any previous browsing data.

All browsing data was automatically wiped out and users were unable to find their bookmarks, extensions, etc. The lost browsing data includes following items:

• Bookmarks
• History
• Cache
• Extensions or add-ons
• Settings
• Speed Dials
• Saved tabs
• Sidebar configuration
• Saved passwords, cards, etc
• All customized settings and changes made by the user previously

Opera was starting with a brand new or fresh user profile just like it launches when you install it for the first time. Users were forced to make all their customized changes, add bookmarks and install extensions again.

PROBLEM REASON: New Profile Migration Feature in Opera 102 and Later

The issue of lost user data and blank profile creation occurred due to changes introduced in profile management in Opera 102 and later versions. Actually Opera team made some changes to user’s profile location and arrangement in Opera 102 to align with default Chromium profile management mechanism. When users upgraded from Opera 101 to 102 version, the existing or old profiles were not migrated properly for some users which resulted in lost data and blank profile.

Opera 102 and later versions automatically create a new “Default” profile folder for users and Opera team programmed the new version to automatically migrate or copy the old browsing data to the new Default profile folder. In some cases, the migration process interrupted or failed and the user data was not copied successfully. As a result, users started facing blank profile problem.

PS: The user data still exists intact in Opera directory which can be restored using following solutions:

PROBLEM SOLUTION 1: Manually Rollback to Opera 101 Version

First solution to resolve the issue and restore your browsing data is rolling back to previous Opera 101 version. Once you roll back, Opera 101 will start using previous browsing data stored in old folder location and you’ll get your old profile and personal data back.

Following steps will help you in rolling back to Opera 101 version:

STEP 1: First we’ll need to uninstall Opera 102 version from our device. You can uninstall Opera using various methods such as Start Menu -> Opera’s shortcut context menu, “Control Panel -> Programs and Features” page or Windows 10/11 Settings app -> Apps page.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When the uninstaller launches to remove Opera from your computer, DO NOT select “Delete my Opera use data” checkbox.

Click on Uninstall button and it’ll remove Opera 102 version from your device.

STEP 2: Now download Opera 101 version setup installer from following official page:

Download Opera 101 Version

Click on desired OS (Linux, Mac, Windows) and then download the Opera 101.0.4843.58 installer’s file.

STEP 3: Finally run Opera 101 setup and it’ll install the old browser version in your computer.

After installation, launch Opera and your old profile as well as personal data will be restored successfully.

PROBLEM SOLUTION 2: Delete Default User Profile Folder from Opera Directory

If you don’t want to roll back to older version, you can manually delete new “Default” profile folder and Opera will start using your previous profile and browsing data.

STEP 1: Obtain the profile folder path using opera://about URL in your Opera web browser. Alternatively, click on Opera Menu button and select Help -> About Opera option. Copy the path given next to Paths -> Profile. If Opera finds a new version available, let it update to the new version.

Now close Opera and paste the path in RUN dialog box (WIN+R) or File Explorer address bar and press Enter. It’ll open the new Opera Default Profile folder.

STEP 2: Click on Up button in File Explorer toolbar or press ALT+Up keys together on your keyboard to go to previous folder.

STEP 3: Now select Default folder and delete it. You can take a backup of the folder before deletion if required.

That’s it. Now launch Opera and it’ll start using your old profile and browsing data.

PROBLEM SOLUTION 3: Copy Old Browsing Data to New Default Profile Folder

You can also manually copy old data files to new Default profile folder instead of deleting the entire folder. When you open the above mentioned profile folder, first empty the “Default” folder, then go to parent folder using Up button and select all files and folders from the parent folder and paste them inside “Default” profile folder.

That’s it. Now launch Opera and your profile and all browsing data will be back.

Also Check:

[Tip] Disable or Remove Opera Splash Screen or Startup Logo and Sound

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