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How do I recover my inbox after an operating system restore to prior version? (Windows 10)

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  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

digitallycursed
digitallycursed
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After a Windows crash I had to restore my OS to a prior version (with microsoft tech support help, it was really thoroughly crashed). All applications were deleted in the process and have to be reinstalled. My old documents are still accessible, and I am trying to find my inbox contents if possible. I used %APPDATA% but that only points me to the new, empty profile following re-installation of Thunderbird. I don't even see a profile folder looking in windows.old, which is where the old documents, pictures, etc were put in the restore process. Any ideas?

After a Windows crash I had to restore my OS to a prior version (with microsoft tech support help, it was really thoroughly crashed). All applications were deleted in the process and have to be reinstalled. My old documents are still accessible, and I am trying to find my inbox contents if possible. I used %APPDATA% but that only points me to the new, empty profile following re-installation of Thunderbird. I don't even see a profile folder looking in windows.old, which is where the old documents, pictures, etc were put in the restore process. Any ideas?

Chosen solution

re: I don't even see a profile folder looking in windows.old, They are hidden files and folders so.... Make hidden files and folders visible.

Close Thunderbird now - this is important.

open the 'windows.old' folder. Locate and copy the 'Thunderbird' folder in this location: C:\Users\<Windows user name>\'Appdata' > 'Roaming' > 'Thunderbird'

Then access newly created Thunderbird folder here: C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\ then paste the copied 'Thunderbird' folder in the 'Roaming' folder. It needs to overwrite the AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird folder in order to change all the new default setting with all the old profile settings.

Start Thunderbird and it should now use original profile.

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Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

re: I don't even see a profile folder looking in windows.old, They are hidden files and folders so.... Make hidden files and folders visible.

Close Thunderbird now - this is important.

open the 'windows.old' folder. Locate and copy the 'Thunderbird' folder in this location: C:\Users\<Windows user name>\'Appdata' > 'Roaming' > 'Thunderbird'

Then access newly created Thunderbird folder here: C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\ then paste the copied 'Thunderbird' folder in the 'Roaming' folder. It needs to overwrite the AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird folder in order to change all the new default setting with all the old profile settings.

Start Thunderbird and it should now use original profile.