
backing up thunderbird
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
- exit thunderbird
- copy c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird to external media
If you ever need to restore, do this:
- install thunderbird (if needed) and exit
- 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
- exit thunderbird
- copy c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird to external media
If you ever need to restore, do this:
- install thunderbird (if needed) and exit
- 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