migrating all my data out of thunderbird.
1) how do I find my previous thread content? 2) do any replies get emailed to me? 3) The mozillazine info on data rescue seems to be out of date, and doesn't work on the current version. 4) Is there another email client that can just lift my file structures and my thousands of emails and my address books and use them? I think thunderbird is beyond rescue at this stage.
I can just copy all the emails to desktop folders, export all address books, kill and rebuild thunderbird, then manually create the files, drag all the emails back in, and re-import the address books, but if there is a quicker way, I am keen to hear of it. I can't do it right now, anyway, as I have to get some notebook maintenance/replacement done, and reload everything. at least I have most user data backed up in on-drive, including the profiles folder (via shortcut)
Chosen solution
I finally did it the long way. On the from-machine, I manually created folders with the same names as my email folders, then from Thunderbird, I did >select all, >drag-copy to desktop-folders. Address books were done with the export-import tool. Transfer via Flash Drive. On the new machine. I deleted the appdata-roaming-thunderbird file tree. Then I reinstalled Thunderbird, and finally got it to work. then, from the new Thunderbird, I manually created the folder tree, and dragged the emails back in. For some reason, my account settings and address books were saved elsewhere??? and I didn't have to reload them. I reset the update preferences to: Ask First. It now seems to be working OK.
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Mozillazine is not an official information site. See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/products/thunderbird. I don't understand your first two questions.
But perhaps start with what is your current biggest problem? In another topic you mentioned toolbars? You might post a screen shot.
I now have found my user data-coming in through firefox logon wouldn't show it.
I don't know what the toolbar problem was-there is a mysterious-event-bar that doesn't seem to do much.
The main problem is finding the filenames of all the bits that can be extracted and re-inserted into the profile to reinstate the user data-emails, addresses, file names. There seem to be some programs in there , with sequential-sounding names. What are these, and which ones do I need? will a new thunderbird install recognise the names? Are those the ones which set up the file structure? These are the ones below. Which do I need, and what can I discard?
No programs. Nothing you "must" delete.
Multiple prefs-XX.js files suggests some program (backup, antivirus, etc) is interfering with Thunderbird preventing your preferences from being saved/edited.
Chosen Solution
I finally did it the long way. On the from-machine, I manually created folders with the same names as my email folders, then from Thunderbird, I did >select all, >drag-copy to desktop-folders. Address books were done with the export-import tool. Transfer via Flash Drive. On the new machine. I deleted the appdata-roaming-thunderbird file tree. Then I reinstalled Thunderbird, and finally got it to work. then, from the new Thunderbird, I manually created the folder tree, and dragged the emails back in. For some reason, my account settings and address books were saved elsewhere??? and I didn't have to reload them. I reset the update preferences to: Ask First. It now seems to be working OK.