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Moving Thunderbird data from Win 10 to Win 11 computer

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  • Last reply by david

bruce.writer
bruce.writer
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I am having trouble moving Thunderbird data from one computer to another. The first computer is Windows 10 32-bit that has been running T-Bird 140.3.0esr for several years. The second is Windows 11 64-bit running T-Bird's latest version. I tried both procedures cited in the Mozilla article at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer.

I first did the 2nd method cited -- Win 10 to Win 11. It worked but the new computer is missing Local Folders and contacts organized as groups.

I then did the 1st procedure cited, using copy and paste commands. It did not work at all and now T-Bird will not load. I get this message: "Your Thunderbird profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible."

So, different operating systems with different bit specs and different T-Bird versions.

I thought of updating the Win 10 computer to T-Bird's current version and then doing the Win-10-to-Win-11 copy/move procedure but thought it best to ask here first. Thanks for any help.

I am having trouble moving Thunderbird data from one computer to another. The first computer is Windows 10 32-bit that has been running T-Bird 140.3.0esr for several years. The second is Windows 11 64-bit running T-Bird's latest version. I tried both procedures cited in the Mozilla article at ''https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer.'' I first did the 2nd method cited -- Win 10 to Win 11. It worked but the new computer is missing '''Local Folders''' and '''contacts organized as groups'''. I then did the 1st procedure cited, using copy and paste commands. It did not work at all and now T-Bird will not load. I get this message: ''"Your Thunderbird profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible."'' So, different operating systems with different bit specs and different T-Bird versions. I thought of updating the Win 10 computer to T-Bird's current version and then doing the Win-10-to-Win-11 copy/move procedure but thought it best to ask here first. Thanks for any help.

Chosen solution

Which means you're doing something incorrectly. Here are specific details for option two and these steps have been reliable for many on the forum:

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 MUST prompt to overwrite an existing folder of same name. allow it
  8. start thunderbird and all should be there
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david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Which means you're doing something incorrectly. Here are specific details for option two and these steps have been reliable for many on the forum:

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 MUST prompt to overwrite an existing folder of same name. allow it
  8. start thunderbird and all should be there

Helpful?

bruce.writer
bruce.writer Question owner
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David, thank you very much. My error was in copying only the Profiles folder, not all of the Thunderbird folders.

FWIW: When I keyed %appdata% into the task bar of my wife's new Win 11 computer I got a Bing search which offered several viseos about %appdata% instead of being taken to the directory location. Apparently the latest version of Win 11 is set to search the internet instead of the directory. I got around this by using the Windows key + R to get the command line where I entered %appdata%. Google later told me the old task bar function can be restored if you go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Search Permissions and disable the "Show search highlights" option. But I haven't tried that.

Helpful?

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Puzzling. I use win 11 and the search window on task bar takes me directly to appdata\roaming when I enter %appdata% But thanks for that feedback. Good to know. :)

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