Thunderbird add-ons backup
Do add-on settings get backed up when backing up a profile? I always have to manually install my add-ons when reinstalling a profile. I have one add-on that is a pain to set back up (Identity Chooser), and I have assumed the settings for it are lost.
Gekose oplossing
How do you restore backups? Here are my suggested steps:
here is the info in brief steps:
BACKUP
- ensure thunderbird is not running
- enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
- this should open windows file explorer in Appdata\roaming folder
- highlight the Thunderbird folder and copy to external media
RESTORE
- ensure thunderbird is installed and NOT running
- enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
- you should be in Appdata\roaming folder , copy&paste the exported Thunderbird folder there. This will prompt to overwrite an existing folder of same name. allow it
- start thunderbird and all should be there
All Replies (8)
Perhaps I should install the add-ons before restoring a profile, instead of after.
The add-ons *.xpi files are stored in the the folder "extensions" in the Thunderbird profile folder, besides an "extensions.json", an "extension-preferences.json" and an "extension-settings.json" file. So all your add-ons, their settings and their preferences will be saved in a profile backup.
Strange that my add-ons don't show up when I import a backup. Next time, I will add them first, before restoring the backup, and see if their settings are set up. Unless perhaps I am doing something wrong with the backups.
Gewysig op deur David
I am probably misunderstanding something here. When I go to the settings of Identity Chooser, the identities do indeed show up, but not in alphabetical order. I have to redo it by hand (over 100 of them). The previous order is not saved, which is something I will ask the developer about.
Gekose oplossing
How do you restore backups? Here are my suggested steps:
here is the info in brief steps:
BACKUP
- ensure thunderbird is not running
- enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
- this should open windows file explorer in Appdata\roaming folder
- highlight the Thunderbird folder and copy to external media
RESTORE
- ensure thunderbird is installed and NOT running
- enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
- you should be in Appdata\roaming folder , copy&paste the exported Thunderbird folder there. This will prompt to overwrite an existing folder of same name. allow it
- start thunderbird and all should be there
David said
Strange that my add-ons don't show up when I import a backup.
Maybe your backup was too old and the add-ons were no longer compatible with your new Thunderbird version. Or the add-ons just needed an update .....
No, everything was quite recent, and updated.
Not knowing exactly how you did the backup, I suggest letting this go. Profiles remain intact when copied by windows file explorer and when thunderbird is not running.