Problem while copy Thunderbird profile
Hi, I use TB 115.18.0 (32-bit) on win 7 machine. In order to transfer it to another computer I tried to copy the profile to a new disk and it failed. An error message stated that "The destination you have specified does not exist". I manually copied the profile folder, and found that the problem occurs when attempting to copy the file (no file type is given. File name is printed bolt) as follows: mozilla profiles>cc739xtg.default>mail>local folders>unsent messages. (1,835,282 KB file) Unsent messages.MSF (6KB file) was copied with no problem. I did not find a way to open unsent messages file to read its content. Unsent messages does not show in my TB folders. As far as I understand there are no unsent messages in my TB accounts. 1. How to overcome the unsent messages file copy problem? 2. Can I try to delete both unsent messages and unsent messages.msf files without damage the profile? 3. How can I open unsent messages file to read its content? Thank you for your assistance. David
All Replies (4)
mozilla profiles>cc739xtg.default>mail>local folders>unsent messages. (1,835,282 KB file)
Typically when you do attempt to send a message while offline, TB would store the message in the 'Unsent Messages' folder and automatically send the messages in that folder when being online again. Why this folder has been growing that large for you I have no idea.
Mail files (files without a file extension) are plain text files and can be opened with a text editor. Using Notepad to open a 1.8 GB file may not be a great idea though.
I'd backup the 'Unsent Messages' file just in case, and then delete both, 'Unsent Messages', and 'Unsent Messages.msf'.
Thank you Christ1 for your reply. My attempt to copy the file failed. If I do not include "Unsent Messages", and "Unsent Messages.msf" files in the copy of TB profile, will it still work for the new TB on my new computer? No automatic message send had been executed when TB is back at PC startup.
Thanks to the community for your help. David
Did you copy while Thunderbird was running? That could have interfered. Copying with windows file explorer will copy everything.
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:
- ensure thunderbird is NOT running on old machine
- enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
- this should open windows file explorer in Appdata\roaming folder
- highlight the Thunderbird folder and copy to external media
- ensure thunderbird is installed on second computer and NOT running
- enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
- 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
- start thunderbird and all should be there
If I do not include "Unsent Messages", and "Unsent Messages.msf" files in the copy of TB profile, will it still work for the new TB on my new computer?
Yes, skipping the "Unsent Messages", and "Unsent Messages.msf" files will not do any harm to the TB profile on the new computer. In case you find something is missing, you still do have the copy on the old computer.
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