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Transfer Thunderbird to a new Computer

  • 3 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • 193 views
  • Last reply by david

gerhard.hellriegel
gerhard.hellriegel

Hi all, I have a new Computer and I'd like to transfer my Thunderbird installation with the complete settings (folders, mails, archives, address-book, ...). Also the calender would be of interest, because I have some settings which I want to keep. Is there any way to do this? I have access to my old computer, so I could export everything there and import that on the new one, but I did not find something to do that. Can you help me? Regards, Gerhard

Hi all, I have a new Computer and I'd like to transfer my Thunderbird installation with the complete settings (folders, mails, archives, address-book, ...). Also the calender would be of interest, because I have some settings which I want to keep. Is there any way to do this? I have access to my old computer, so I could export everything there and import that on the new one, but I did not find something to do that. Can you help me? Regards, Gerhard

Chosen solution

Here is the link for moving a profile in Windows when installed in default location: 

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer

here is the info in brief steps:

  1. ensure thunderbird is NOT running on old machine
  2. enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
  3. this should open windows file explorer in Appdata\roaming folder
  4. highlight the Thunderbird folder and copy to external media
  5. ensure thunderbird is installed on second computer and NOT running
  6. enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
  7. you should be in Appdata\roaming folder , copy&paste the exported Thunderbird folder there. This may prompt to overwrite an existing folder of same name. allow it
  8. start thunderbird and all should be there
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All Replies (3)

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor

Chosen Solution

Here is the link for moving a profile in Windows when installed in default location: 

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer

here is the info in brief steps:

  1. ensure thunderbird is NOT running on old machine
  2. enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
  3. this should open windows file explorer in Appdata\roaming folder
  4. highlight the Thunderbird folder and copy to external media
  5. ensure thunderbird is installed on second computer and NOT running
  6. enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
  7. you should be in Appdata\roaming folder , copy&paste the exported Thunderbird folder there. This may prompt to overwrite an existing folder of same name. allow it
  8. start thunderbird and all should be there
gerhard.hellriegel
gerhard.hellriegel Question owner

I did like described and it worked great! I found the backup and restore tool and that worked partially, but this was perfect! Thank you David! Regards, Gerhard

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor

You are very welcome. As a reminder for the future, occasionally do backups to prevent against loss. That has saved me more than once. :)


BACKUP

  1. ensure thunderbird is not running
  2. enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
  3. this should open windows file explorer in Appdata\roaming folder
  4. highlight the Thunderbird folder and copy to external media