Was the backup managed by an add-on? ImportExportTools has a backup option, although I'm not sure it prompts the user. If that is the one that worked before, there is a version that works in TB 68:

https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools-ng/

Thanks for your reply and suggestion. I don't ever remember installing an add on to manage backups. I did just try installing importexporttools-ng via your link, but it doesn't look familiar, and it doesn't offer to backup when I exit TBird nor does there seem to be an option anywhere that allows for that.

I've seen some 3rd-party apps that perform scheduled, automatic backups, but the manual backup and restoration of the Thunderbird folder (in ...AppData/Roaming) is simple, complete and independent of backup apps - if not automatic or scheduled.

I think the main problem is not the availability of such apps, but convincing users to perform any kind of regular backup.

For mail backups on Windows systems, MailStore Home is a free option to consider.

I'm wondering if the backup prompt I was seeing in previous versions of TBird was a default process that was eliminated in the latest version. I remember looking through Options before to see if there was a way to customize the backup process but don't think I was ever able to find anything. I guess I'll have to summon some self discipline and take the extra steps and use the manual process. Thanks for your help and suggestions.

I believe there was a capacity for the popular 3rd-party app, MozBackup, to run automatic backups via Windows Task Scheduler, and there was a backup add-on, TEBE, but both of these are obsolete. To my knowledge, there isn't now, or ever been, a built-in, automatic backup.

primowarrior1950 said

I just updated to TBird v.68.3.1. In past versions, when I exited Thunderbird, it would ask if I wanted to create a back up. If I answered OK, it would open a window where I could designate where I wanted the back up profile file to go. Very easy. Since I updated, it no longer asks. Is there a setting where I can have it ask to back up when exiting? I know I could just copy the profiles folder, but that involves more steps, and I also like to be reminded from time to time. Thanks.

i have this problem right now and i am new to this support format and everything peculiar is happening everywhere at once, so my ability to present my issue clearly is diminishing, but i want my backup to continue at the settings i already had. how in heck can i do this all alone, at home, with no tequila ?

sfhowes said

I believe there was a capacity for the popular 3rd-party app, MozBackup, to run automatic backups via Windows Task Scheduler, and there was a backup add-on, TEBE, but both of these are obsolete. To my knowledge, there isn't now, or ever been, a built-in, automatic backup.

well, then, why would i have a backup folder named "email backup" on my seagate that was last used in mid-december 2019 ?

notanotherhero said

sfhowes said

I believe there was a capacity for the popular 3rd-party app, MozBackup, to run automatic backups via Windows Task Scheduler, and there was a backup add-on, TEBE, but both of these are obsolete. To my knowledge, there isn't now, or ever been, a built-in, automatic backup.

well, then, why would i have a backup folder named "email backup" on my seagate that was last used in mid-december 2019 ?

There are plenty of utilities that perform backups, email and otherwise, so I don't know what software you have on your computer that would create such a folder, or if it was created manually. The relevant question is what is in that folder and if it can be restored to TB.

It might be worth taking a look at the email backup directory and seeing what's in there. It could just be a simple copy of your profile (something you could do yourself with a batch file or a drag and drop.) Or it might have files with extensions like .pcv which might provide a clue. (For example: .pcv is the extension mozbackup used.)

sfhowes said

notanotherhero said

sfhowes said

I believe there was a capacity for the popular 3rd-party app, MozBackup, to run automatic backups via Windows Task Scheduler, and there was a backup add-on, TEBE, but both of these are obsolete. To my knowledge, there isn't now, or ever been, a built-in, automatic backup.

well, then, why would i have a backup folder named "email backup" on my seagate that was last used in mid-december 2019 ?

There are plenty of utilities that perform backups, email and otherwise, so I don't know what software you have on your computer that would create such a folder, or if it was created manually. The relevant question is what is in that folder and if it can be restored to TB.

here is the seagate folder info: name: email backup created: 2016 - Oct 19 modified: 2019 - Dec 14

sample file inside: sqgmf92b.default-20191214-1822

i'm sorry not to remember more than the settings were through TB and directed backups to occur on a regular basis, which i forget time span. an alert window would appear: "according to your settings, it is time ..."

since i seem to have imagined all this, and there is no history, you say, of a TB backup, we can certainly close this issue.

Daveh110 said

It might be worth taking a look at the email backup directory and seeing what's in there. It could just be a simple copy of your profile (something you could do yourself with a batch file or a drag and drop.) Or it might have files with extensions like .pcv which might provide a clue. (For example: .pcv is the extension mozbackup used.)

thanks, dave. i'm no longer able to process complex computer info and don't wish to get lost in my profile, but it has stopped presenting an alert regarding "my settings" so something changed somewhere i choose not to explore further. appreciate the suggestion, tho.

notanotherhero said

Daveh110 said

It might be worth taking a look at the email backup directory and seeing what's in there. It could just be a simple copy of your profile (something you could do yourself with a batch file or a drag and drop.) Or it might have files with extensions like .pcv which might provide a clue. (For example: .pcv is the extension mozbackup used.)

thanks, dave. i'm no longer able to process complex computer info and don't wish to get lost in my profile, but it has stopped presenting an alert regarding "my settings" so something changed somewhere i choose not to explore further. appreciate the suggestion, tho.

i shall be exploring what i believe to be the source of my backup issue, at this location: https://sourceforge.net/projects/mozbackup/ MozBackup is a utility for creating backups of Firefox, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey and some others applications. It allows you to backup and restore bookmarks, mail, contacts, history, extensions, cache etc. [i do have a desktop shortcut exhibiting 'broken' so that's why i suspect this to be the likely fix, if there is one.]

sfhowes said

notanotherhero said

sfhowes said

I believe there was a capacity for the popular 3rd-party app, MozBackup, to run automatic backups via Windows Task Scheduler, and there was a backup add-on, TEBE, but both of these are obsolete. To my knowledge, there isn't now, or ever been, a built-in, automatic backup.

well, then, why would i have a backup folder named "email backup" on my seagate that was last used in mid-december 2019 ?

There are plenty of utilities that perform backups, email and otherwise, so I don't know what software you have on your computer that would create such a folder, or if it was created manually. The relevant question is what is in that folder and if it can be restored to TB.

{crabby user may have located a solution:} {what we know is not always what we know} i shall be exploring what i believe to be the source of my backup issue, at this location: https://sourceforge.net/projects/mozbackup/ MozBackup is a utility for creating backups of Firefox, Thunderbird, SeaMonkey and some others applications. It allows you to backup and restore bookmarks, mail, contacts, history, extensions, cache etc. [i do have a desktop shortcut exhibiting 'broken' so that's why i suspect this to be the likely fix, if there is one.]

sfhowes said

notanotherhero said

sfhowes said

I believe there was a capacity for the popular 3rd-party app, MozBackup, to run automatic backups via Windows Task Scheduler, and there was a backup add-on, TEBE, but both of these are obsolete. To my knowledge, there isn't now, or ever been, a built-in, automatic backup.

well, then, why would i have a backup folder named "email backup" on my seagate that was last used in mid-december 2019 ?

There are plenty of utilities that perform backups, email and otherwise, so I don't know what software you have on your computer that would create such a folder, or if it was created manually. The relevant question is what is in that folder and if it can be restored to TB.

can you kindly recommend one of those utilities for me ?

reinstall w version a.o 2016 incompatible, shows 'settings' as WinXP which i've never had. oh well ... pic:

sfhowes said

I believe there was a capacity for the popular 3rd-party app, MozBackup, to run automatic backups via Windows Task Scheduler, and there was a backup add-on, TEBE, but both of these are obsolete. To my knowledge, there isn't now, or ever been, a built-in, automatic backup.

this little guy seemed possible, w lots of downloads, 128783, showing via qpdownload - but has a yandex.ru script showing in NoScript ... comments? https://qpdownload.com/MozBackup/

Try the ImportExportTools NG add-on mentioned at the start of this topic, or MailStore Home.

notanotherhero said

sfhowes said

I believe there was a capacity for the popular 3rd-party app, MozBackup, to run automatic backups via Windows Task Scheduler, and there was a backup add-on, TEBE, but both of these are obsolete. To my knowledge, there isn't now, or ever been, a built-in, automatic backup.

this little guy seemed possible, w lots of downloads, 128783, showing via qpdownload - but has a yandex.ru script showing in NoScript ... comments? https://qpdownload.com/MozBackup/

ah: home page has all the info: http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/ "This program is freeware (even for commercial use) and works on Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7. It's developed in Czech republic."

well, other than my ask for recommendations as replacements, i will now return to ... whatever it was i was doing previously. thanks millions for your help - ALL OF YOU.

sfhowes said

Try the ImportExportTools NG add-on mentioned at the start of this topic, or MailStore Home.

thanks.