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How to update from Thunderbird 17.0

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  • Last reply by Stans

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Hello

I just have upgraded from a very old mac to the newest. I like to update Thunderbird now from 17.0 to the latest version. However, if I use the "check for updates" in the about section of the old Thunderbird, it say's that I'm on the latest version ...?? I have downloaded and installed the latest Thunderbird, but this one did not migrate the data from the old Thunderbird. It asks me to setup new account. I also found an option to import data, but there is only the option to import from 3rd-party ...??? Please let me know how to upgrade; I need all my email accounts and conversations from my old 17.0 Thunderbird in the latest Thunderbird.

Thanx Lukas

Hello I just have upgraded from a very old mac to the newest. I like to update Thunderbird now from 17.0 to the latest version. However, if I use the "check for updates" in the about section of the old Thunderbird, it say's that I'm on the latest version ...?? I have downloaded and installed the latest Thunderbird, but this one did not migrate the data from the old Thunderbird. It asks me to setup new account. I also found an option to import data, but there is only the option to import from 3rd-party ...??? Please let me know how to upgrade; I need all my email accounts and conversations from my old 17.0 Thunderbird in the latest Thunderbird. Thanx Lukas

Chosen solution

See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1352735

Use the Profile Manager to launch your old profile. See Profile Manager - Create and remove Thunderbird profiles and Profiles - Where Thunderbird stores your messages and other user data

In summary:

  1. Locate your old profile folder, make a backup copy of it to be safe.
  2. Uninstall the currently installed version of Thunderbird
  3. Install the version after 17, that is 24.8.0, and use its profile manager to load your old profile IF it doesn't automatically do so.
  4. Repeat #2 above
  5. Install next version after 24.8.0, that is 45.8.0, and launch it. It should load your profile.
  6. Keep at it, repeating from step 2, until your old profile has been launched and upgraded progressively through those intermediate versions until you're on the latest version.
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Chosen Solution

See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1352735

Use the Profile Manager to launch your old profile. See Profile Manager - Create and remove Thunderbird profiles and Profiles - Where Thunderbird stores your messages and other user data

In summary:

  1. Locate your old profile folder, make a backup copy of it to be safe.
  2. Uninstall the currently installed version of Thunderbird
  3. Install the version after 17, that is 24.8.0, and use its profile manager to load your old profile IF it doesn't automatically do so.
  4. Repeat #2 above
  5. Install next version after 24.8.0, that is 45.8.0, and launch it. It should load your profile.
  6. Keep at it, repeating from step 2, until your old profile has been launched and upgraded progressively through those intermediate versions until you're on the latest version.
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Yesterday I could update to the latest version using the instructions above. All my email accounts where in Thunderbird 91.2.0 and I could read and write as usual. Today I restarted my computer and thus Thunderbird and wtf ??? Nothing there anymore!!!! If I open the account settings it is empty! I also cannot open the Mail & Newsgroup window.... All I can do is setting up a new email account as one would do in a new installation. ????

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Open the alternative Profile Manager via Thunderbird's Help > More Troubleshooting Information menu. Click the about:profiles link at the bottom of the Application Basics section. In the tab that opens, locate your old profile and make it the default by clicking the Set as default button. Next time Thunderbird starts, it should automatically load your old profile instead of the blank one. Once your old profile is loaded, use this About Profiles page/tab to remove the extra unwanted profiles so that your old profile is the only one that exists.