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backing up thunderbird

  • 8 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 140 views
  • Last reply by glennf46

Thanks for having me . I am struggling with backing up my TB on my laptop. When i set it up i was told that the way i set it up it would need backing up regularly as it is based on my computer hard drive. I followed a youtube guide to back up but i keep getting this message: "this action cannot be completed because the file is open in thunderbird- close file and try again parent.lock "


and cannot get passed it.

Any guidance would be gratefully received. ( or another method of backing up that a simple person could follow) TIA Cheers

Thanks for having me . I am struggling with backing up my TB on my laptop. When i set it up i was told that the way i set it up it would need backing up regularly as it is based on my computer hard drive. I followed a youtube guide to back up but i keep getting this message: "this action cannot be completed because the file is open in thunderbird- close file and try again parent.lock " and cannot get passed it. Any guidance would be gratefully received. ( or another method of backing up that a simple person could follow) TIA Cheers

Chosen solution

VERY IMPORTANT to NOT be running thunderbird doing backup. My suggested steps are

  1. exit thunderbird
  2. copy c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird to external media

If you ever need to restore, do this:

  1. install thunderbird (if needed) and exit
  2. copy the backed up thunderbird folder to c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming to overwrite the existing files there.

Backups created while thunderbird is running are always corrupt and never work.

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Chosen Solution

VERY IMPORTANT to NOT be running thunderbird doing backup. My suggested steps are

  1. exit thunderbird
  2. copy c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird to external media

If you ever need to restore, do this:

  1. install thunderbird (if needed) and exit
  2. copy the backed up thunderbird folder to c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming to overwrite the existing files there.

Backups created while thunderbird is running are always corrupt and never work.

Thank you David much appreciated! re this copy c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird to external media i know how to copy data to the external media, but i dont know how to get to the data you mean. I have found my c:\users section but not sure after that.

I am sorry , i am just learning this. cheers Glenn

I have found c:\user my name / downloads ( there is 2 of them ) but no app data etc..

smashing David. ive done it . Thanks .

Cheers! keep the note for future reference. reinstalling via the thunderbird folder assures that all of your settings are intact. :)

Not sure if ive messed something up... I backed it up last night ,

but now when i go into cdrive then my id i cannot find appdata tab listed If i open TB and look into the profile i can see it when i reverse out of it through the tabs but once i get to my id and look for app data section , it isnt there to click on....? Not sure if that makes sense.

(which means next time i try to find it to back up its not there...) Any tips ? TIA

Found it by pressing the windows and R buttons.

:-)

was hidden , sorted that now in file explorer. cheers