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Transfer TB from two Win 7 Pro desktops to two Win 11 pro Laptops - Succeded 1/2

Thunderbird Import and export settings
JackNaylorPE replied
JackNaylorPE
JackNaylorPE

We been using Thunderbird for over 20 years and used MozBackup while it was supported and used it a few times when something got corrupted. To migrate from one PC to a new PC, we always used the "manual method" described below. As our files are 10.2 GB (mine) and 6.4 GBMB(wife's) in size, that goes like this:

If your profile folder is larger than 2 GB, you need to use your file manager and create a backup copy of your profile folder yourself.

1. To find your profile folder, you can use the Open profile folder link in the first step of the Export tool. You will see the contents of your profile folder in your file manager. The profile folder has a name like abc12defg.default-release. 2. Select and copy the entire content (content only, not the folder) of your profile folder. 3. Create an empty folder where you want to keep your backup, e.g. on a USB flash drive. You can choose a helpful folder name like Thunderbird_profile_backup_2022-06-28. 4. Paste the contents of your profile folder into your empty target folder.

On the larger 10.2 GB filetransfer, after launching TB on the new machine there was a lot of the spinning circle icon appearing / disappearing ... then it just stopped, gave it some time. Rebooted and all was fine with the world. Most accounts were accessible, one was not and I copied that from the desktop open on the same desk.

With the 6.4 GB file transfer to wife's laptop, it did not work ... tried again, no luck.

Tried my 10.2 GB file on wife's laptop and it worked fine. Can't understand why, after each attempt TB was uninstalled and everything TB related was removed from roaming folder. System was rebooted, searched for anything TB related, rebooted, installed TB, closed it, copied folder contents into profile folder on laptop, Rebooted and no go.

It will take the 10.2 GB file but not the 6.4 ... I'm confused.

We been using Thunderbird for over 20 years and used MozBackup while it was supported and used it a few times when something got corrupted. To migrate from one PC to a new PC, we always used the "manual method" described below. As our files are 10.2 GB (mine) and 6.4 GBMB(wife's) in size, that goes like this: If your profile folder is larger than 2 GB, you need to use your file manager and create a backup copy of your profile folder yourself. ''1. To find your profile folder, you can use the Open profile folder link in the first step of the Export tool. You will see the contents of your profile folder in your file manager. The profile folder has a name like abc12defg.default-release. 2. Select and copy the entire content ('''content only, not the folder''') of your profile folder. 3. Create an empty folder where you want to keep your backup, e.g. on a USB flash drive. You can choose a helpful folder name like Thunderbird_profile_backup_2022-06-28. 4. Paste the contents of your profile folder into your empty target folder.'' On the larger 10.2 GB filetransfer, after launching TB on the new machine there was a lot of the spinning circle icon appearing / disappearing ... then it just stopped, gave it some time. Rebooted and all was fine with the world. Most accounts were accessible, one was not and I copied that from the desktop open on the same desk. With the 6.4 GB file transfer to wife's laptop, it did not work ... tried again, no luck. Tried my 10.2 GB file on wife's laptop and it worked fine. Can't understand why, after each attempt TB was uninstalled and everything TB related was removed from roaming folder. System was rebooted, searched for anything TB related, rebooted, installed TB, closed it, copied folder contents into profile folder on laptop, Rebooted and no go. It will take the 10.2 GB file but not the 6.4 ... I'm confused.

All Replies (3)

david
david
  • Fitattun masu bayar da gudun mawa 10

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
david
david
  • Fitattun masu bayar da gudun mawa 10

TIP: If the size is due to IMAP account folders, and if you want to reduce size of the transfer, just exit thunderbird, locate the Imapmail\<imap account folder> and delete the message folders. Then follow the above steps.

JackNaylorPE
JackNaylorPE Mai mallakar tambaya

First as to the 1st response ... that was the method used on the transfer to both laptops.

1st Transfer - Win 7 Pro Desktop 64 bit Ver 115.25.0 ESR to Win 11 Pro Laptop (10.2 GB) ... wound up w/ 140.0.1 non ESR but that was me not remembering we had ESR

2nd Transfer - Win Home Premium 32 bit Ver 115.18.0 ESR to Win 11 Pro Laptop 115.18.0 ESR (6.4 GB) ... No Go


As to the 2nd ...

I'm a bit lost ...if the goal is to keep all the messages, the only apparent difference between the 1st success and the 2nd failure appears to be that it started with 32 bit .