
Issue transferring Tbird data to new laptop
I am trying to move Tbird profile from one HP to another. When I try to backup or export I get" backup / export failed unexpectedly" . The new installation has a number of profiles but I am lost as to how to proceed. Thanks.
All Replies (9)
I strongly recommend NOT using the EXPORT feature as it repeatedly causes problems. Instead, I recommend this way, which has proved successful for many users:
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
The copy to flash drive failed: It stopped transferring data at about 3/4 thru the file. I also get a message stating that I cannot download new messages because there is no space. Have tried deleting emails and compacting folders but continue to get that when I try to delete even a small folder.
I presume this is a POP account. From what you write, the solution seems to be to clear more space from the drive, or attach an external drive and move thunderbird there.
Have tried to copy to flash drives as well as a T disk. All failed. those copies to flash drive (13 G) as well to disk ran into files it couldnt copy. When asked to skip or copy files, then transfer of data stopped and the file id display was indicating very rapid file movement.
First, be sure to exit thunderbird and wait a minute to ensure all is stopped Now, if the accounts are IMAP, you can reduce the size of the backup by exiting thunderbird, locating the Imapmail\<IMAPaccount> and delete all message folders (and their msf entries) in the account. Now, copy the ...appdata\roaming\thunderbird folder (assuming you use the default storage location) and continue with above steps.
Thanks for your help. cleaning up files and deleting others opened up enough space to move it. I did have files that wouldnt transfer without propertied so I had them transfer without. Eben
I have tried everything that I could find on xferring my profile to a new laptop, but to no avail. The last time I did it, did not work, but when I went back to my desktop and opened Thunderbird, my profile is NOT there and I have no idea on how to get it back! When I open Thunderbird it wants me to set up my existing email address.
Novain'i rgblakeslee t@
try this: - help>troubleshootinginformation - scroll down to 'profiles' in left side and click 'about:profiles' and see if the old profile is there. If so, see if you can launch it.
If you had, in any way, somehow changed anything during the transfer, that may have caused thunderbird to abandon it. Did you successfully transfer to laptop? If so, you might copy it back using the steps I suggested previously.