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How to export ALL my folders, not just Inbox.

Thunderbird Import and export email
david replied
vealch
vealch

I'm trying to dump Windows and move to Linux and I need to migrate my existing mail. The Export tool says it exports accounts, messages, address books, and settings. I've done this and have my Linux Mint Thunderbird installation up and running. The problem is the only "messages" it exports is the Inbox. Not "Sent" or any of the other 25 folders I've created to organize my mail. Is there ANY tool available that will export everything and then import it into a new installation?

I for sure don't want to have to dual boot just to do email. If I can't accomplish a complete cut-over, I'll abandon Linux and stick with Windows (ugh!).

I'm actually using Mint right now and I would need to go back to Windows to get that version number. Suffice it to say, as of yesterday, it was up to date with the latest Windows version.

I'm trying to dump Windows and move to Linux and I need to migrate my existing mail. The Export tool says it exports accounts, ''messages'', address books, and settings. I've done this and have my Linux Mint Thunderbird installation up and running. The problem is the only "messages" it exports is the Inbox. Not "Sent" or any of the other 25 folders I've created to organize my mail. Is there ANY tool available that will export everything and then import it into a new installation? I for sure don't want to have to dual boot just to do email. If I can't accomplish a complete cut-over, I'll abandon Linux and stick with Windows (ugh!). I'm actually using Mint right now and I would need to go back to Windows to get that version number. Suffice it to say, as of yesterday, it was up to date with the latest Windows version.

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david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor

This approach has been successful:

  1. click help>troubleshootinginformation on the old pc
  2. scroll to 'profile folder' and click 'open folder'
  3. exit thunderbird
  4. you are now in the profile folder. copy ALL of it and save to external media **
  5. start thunderbird on the linux PC
  6. repeat steps 1 through 3 above
  7. delete the contents of the profile
  8. paste the contents of the profile you copied from other PC
  9. if there is a compatibility.ini file, rename it
  10. restart thunderbird

This completely moves everything. The linux PC should have same or newer release of thunderbird.

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