Windows 10 reached EOS (end of support) on October 14, 2025. If you are on Windows 10, see this article.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

thunderbird migration from windows 10 to windows 11

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 253 views
  • Last reply by firefoxsync48
  • Solved

I've moved thunderbird between windows 10 computers several times without any issues in the past, but I'm having problems now.

My old PC is running windows 10 with the most up to date TB. New machine has windows 11.

In the past, it was just a case of installing TB on the new machine and replacing the profile folder there with the one from the old machine.

Now when I do this I get "your thunderbird profile could not be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible"

Ay help with this woould be much appreciated

I've moved thunderbird between windows 10 computers several times without any issues in the past, but I'm having problems now. My old PC is running windows 10 with the most up to date TB. New machine has windows 11. In the past, it was just a case of installing TB on the new machine and replacing the profile folder there with the one from the old machine. Now when I do this I get "your thunderbird profile could not be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible" Ay help with this woould be much appreciated

Chosen solution

Worked this one out by copying the folder from the old machine (it's more than 2GB, so I couldn't use "export" to make a zip) and then using "import" on the new machine. Worked fine except that it didn't seem to recognise the folders any more so I had to edit all of my filters

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (2)

A couple of things that I think thing that I think may be relevant:

1. Do I need to just install TB on the new machine or actually also start it up as well (this will mean adding a mail account)

2. win TB on win 11, the folder name is "thunderbird" with a lower case "t" instead of upper case as with win 10

3. on win 11, there are now two profile folders "ef6y3gq3.default" and "t2xlde1n.default-release" where win 10 onnly had 1

4. In the past, I've just copied the profile folder to "Local" not "Roaming" and it's always worked. What's the difference between local and roaming?

Chosen Solution

Worked this one out by copying the folder from the old machine (it's more than 2GB, so I couldn't use "export" to make a zip) and then using "import" on the new machine. Worked fine except that it didn't seem to recognise the folders any more so I had to edit all of my filters