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How to back up address book?

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by Matt

JimmyGrunt
JimmyGrunt

I have had to take this computer down to Factory Standards twice over the summer. Each time I have done it. I have lost all of my emails and addresses from Thunderbird. Is there an easy way to make a back-up. Even when I run a back up software, it does not see Thunderbird to back the information up! Really frustration. It is not that I am planning on disaster, I am preparing! Thanks for you thought. Jim

I have had to take this computer down to Factory Standards twice over the summer. Each time I have done it. I have lost all of my emails and addresses from Thunderbird. Is there an easy way to make a back-up. Even when I run a back up software, it does not see Thunderbird to back the information up! Really frustration. It is not that I am planning on disaster, I am preparing! Thanks for you thought. Jim

Chosen solution

It is recommended to backup the entire Thunderbird profile.

https://support.mozilla.org/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data#w_backing-up-a-profile

To restore the backup: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-tb#w_restoring-a-profile-backup

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christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor

Chosen Solution

It is recommended to backup the entire Thunderbird profile.

https://support.mozilla.org/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data#w_backing-up-a-profile

To restore the backup: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-tb#w_restoring-a-profile-backup

Matt
Matt
  • Top 10 Contributor
  • Moderator

select the show profile button the troubleshooting information on Thunderbird help menu.

This will open windows explorer in your profile and the bar at the top will show the absolute path to the Thunderbird profile in use. pressing the up button a couple of times should take you to the same location the following shows.

Windows key +R and type %appdata%\Thunderbird.

If these two paths are the same include the path from the second step in your backup program. It may only show that path if you set windows to show hidden and system files and folders. (thanks Microsoft).

most backups simply backup the user profile libraries, music pictures etc and entirely miss appdata because it is hidden. Unfortunate really as Outlook keeps it's messages there as well.