#   start thunderbird and all should be there

The simple approach is to just copy the entire setup. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer here is the info in brief steps: # ensure thunderbird is NOT running on old machine # 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 # ensure thunderbird is installed on second computer, started once 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 to replace the existing thunderbird profile there. This will prompt to overwrite an existing folder of same name. allow it # start thunderbird and all should be there