Thunderbird Community Forum

I am using Thunderbird as email client on Win 10. When trying to backup old messages I am getting en error message as below. I tried several ways exporting emails as “eml”, PDF’s or even plain text, but all the same. Following error message:

[Exception... "Component returned failure code: 0x8000ffff (NS_ERROR_UNEXPECTED) [nsIPrefBranch.getCharPref]" nsresult: "0x8000ffff (NS_ERROR_UNEXPECTED)" location: "JS frame :: chrome://mboximport/content/mboximport/utils.js :: getSubjectForHdr :: line 186" data: no]

Exporting: Folder: Inbox Msg: Undelivered Mail Returned to Sender

getSubjectForHdr@chrome://mboximport/content/mboximport/utils.js:186:26 onAfterStopRequest@chrome://mboximport/content/mboximport/exportTools.js:1809:14 onStopRequest@chrome://mboximport/content/mboximport/exportTools.js:1743:28

Can anyone assist?

I just had a support session and the tech was unable to solve the problem. We tried installing a new version of Thunderbird and importing the messages over from the default install and it just freezes up. He tried replacing account settings with the account settings from a previous version and that didn't work either. He suggested contacting Mozilla to see if there was a way to import messages from the frozen default to my new profile.

Old win 10 computer with Thunderbird pop account. Want to move all saved e-mails from old computer to new computer. New computer (win 11) installed thunderbird as an IMAP account. Alternatively, if not practical, how to save old e-mail in readable format. Thanks

In reference to the article [[Knowledge Base Article|http://mzl.la/1ApHiU3]], "Move Thunderbird data to a new computer", this misses the transfer of Local Folders.

The instructions only include moving the Thunderbird application data folder with profile information but does not include Local Folders, after completing these instructions the Local Folders will not be present on the new computer.

The path for Local Folders is under Account Settings > Local Folders, this folder needs to be copied to the similar path on the new computer as well.

I have copied emails from a Windows 10 to Windows 11 computer using these instructions and it appears to work.

My email was rossmann@telkomsa.net My husband died on 25 May 2023 and telkom closed his account. I opened a gmail account. I am now wanting to open a few emails from 2022 regarding contracts but Thunderbird obviously only has my old email. Please could you assist me Kind regards, Chrissie Rossmann

I had to reset my Windows 10 computer and lost all apps and files.  I have attempted to download Thunderbird to replace the one that was lost.  I had hoped to regain my old emails and files but that is beyond my abilities.  I am a senior citizen [81 years] and have been using Thunderbird along with Earthlink mail [which has been recovered along with some of my emails] for over 25 years.  I also recovered Mozilla Firefox [with my bookmarks].  Now I need to recover my Thunderbird account with my emails and files.  There were many years of emails and files in Thunderbird.  Earthlink mail sent me a link on my cell phone that only required me to touch it to install it on my Dell computer.  I did not set up my computer many years ago and the man who did set it up is now deceased so I cannot go to him for help.  If you can send me a link with which I can recover my thunderbird account along with my files and emails I would be eternally grateful.  My cell phone number is [edited phone# from public community support forum].  HELP!!!  PLEASE!  Thank you very much and GOD Bless You.    Janice Chelf,  San Antonio, Texas

I can see where the Local Files are saved under .sdb folders and msf files. I can save these to a USB stick as a backup BUT can I perhaps open on another device also running Thunderbird. Is this possible and how? I can't see an 'open file' in Thunderbird.

I have been with Primus communications for many years, they are no longer supporting email address and I have to sign up with a new company they have nominated. I want to know if how my emails are managed in my Thunderbird screen will all be transferred and that I will continue as normal with Mozilla Thunderbird

I am considering changing from my current email server to another. How do I move my TB account from one server to another? And does the physical location of the server have any effect on my account? I am moving from the US to Europe.

I have several MS 365 accounts that I have added to Thunderbird to backup. Now that all the emails and data is in Thunderbird, I would like to deactive the MS 365 accounts completely as the company is closing down. I need to keep the emails as archives for several months in case of an issue, but the MS 365 account will no longer exist. Will Thunderbird delete all the emails once I deactive the 365 accounts or is there a way to store them permanently?

For record, I already tried to add them to my Outlook app on my Windows computer and back up a pst file, but it is not bringing over all the years of data like Thunderbird did. Only recent items.

I want to be able to search my 20,000 emails if needed in the future. I have shut down the actual email account. I don't want to lose them. I do have other email accounts I am using Thunderbird for.