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Computer crashed no bckup. I was able to retrieve old profile, but when Tbird was reinstalled, it created a new profile. How can I combine contents of both

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  • Last reply by Matt

Rimshott
Rimshott
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When my computer crashed, I was able to retrieve the old profile files, but it wasNOT in back up form. When TB was installed on my new computer, it created a new profile. I was in the middle of a huge project and had to use the new profile, but kept all correspondence in the inbox.

I have years of saved email messages filed in various categories under local files as well as critical emails in my inbox that were not filed. How do I move the file structure and old messages into my new profile. I have tried copying and pasting many different ways into my new profle, but still cannot access any of the messages that were under my old profile.

When my computer crashed, I was able to retrieve the old profile files, but it wasNOT in back up form. When TB was installed on my new computer, it created a new profile. I was in the middle of a huge project and had to use the new profile, but kept all correspondence in the inbox. I have years of saved email messages filed in various categories under local files as well as critical emails in my inbox that were not filed. How do I move the file structure and old messages into my new profile. I have tried copying and pasting many different ways into my new profle, but still cannot access any of the messages that were under my old profile.

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Matt
Matt
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Ok, if you have everything in the new profile you want to keep in the inbox. Best approach is probably export that to the file system CTRl+A will select all mail in the folder (after you select one) then drag and drop to the folder of your choice in the file system. You could create one on the desktop, but delete it at the end. The more large stuff on your desktop the worse windows works. Links only there is best.

Close Thunderbird

Now Your old profile files should be stored in the application data folder (or appdata\roaming) in a tree structure that is 

\Thunderbird\profiles\ and then the rest of you folders below that

If you can copy everything from Thunderbird on down to the roaming folder of your windows 7 machine.

If you do not have the Thunderbird folder to copy over please speak up. This method only works because the Thunderbird folder contains the location of the profile. If the file is not replaced other actions need to be taken to get Thunderbird to use your old profile.

Open Thunderbird. Your old profile should now be available. If mail was left on the server, it will download. If it was not, drag it back from the desktop folder and drop it in the inbox.