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Transferring Thunderbird

  • 4 replies
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  • Last reply by jasmayor
  • Solved

As with millions of people I am forced to abandon my Win 10 computer for a Win 11 one. Since I have been using TB for many years (and before that Eudora) I would like to transfer all of my TB “data” to the new computer. I have copied my profiles to the new computer. The first thing I tried was to replace the new TB profiles with the old ones. Some apparently transferred and some didn’t, like all of the email folders. Could you please give this old man simple instructions on how to transfer TB?

As with millions of people I am forced to abandon my Win 10 computer for a Win 11 one. Since I have been using TB for many years (and before that Eudora) I would like to transfer all of my TB “data” to the new computer. I have copied my profiles to the new computer. The first thing I tried was to replace the new TB profiles with the old ones. Some apparently transferred and some didn’t, like all of the email folders. Could you please give this old man simple instructions on how to transfer TB?

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 (4)

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

Perfect, David. Thanks. Even this old man could follow those instructions!

See! You're younger than you think. :) I was glad to assist.

No, I'm not younger than I think. I do appreciate your assistance! Incidentally, your dog picture is GREAT! It is my two old dog that keep me going!