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'local folders' merge from old HDD to the current operational Thunderbird

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by sfhowes

PRINCY557
PRINCY557
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HI, In brief... Dead PC, found HDD is OK. Need to copy 'local folder' from old drive to the existing working Thunderbird. Are the Local folders same as email folders? I used to use filters to move emails into the respective local folders. So really need the information if I can get it? Suggestions please. Regards Princy557

HI, In brief... Dead PC, found HDD is OK. Need to copy 'local folder' from old drive to the existing working Thunderbird. Are the Local folders same as email folders? I used to use filters to move emails into the respective local folders. So really need the information if I can get it? Suggestions please. Regards Princy557

Chosen solution

The Mail/Local Folders subfolder of the old profile folder contains mbox files, which have no extension and are named after the folder that contained the messages. The default location of the profile folder is:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\8charstring.default

AppData is hidden by default.

Copy the mbox files from the old profile to the Mail/Local Folders location in the active profile, while TB is closed. When TB is restarted, you should see the folders under Local Folders in the Folder Pane. This also works for mbox files in the Mail/<popaccount> and ImapMail/<imapaccount> folders.

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All Replies (5)

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

The Mail/Local Folders subfolder of the old profile folder contains mbox files, which have no extension and are named after the folder that contained the messages. The default location of the profile folder is:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\8charstring.default

AppData is hidden by default.

Copy the mbox files from the old profile to the Mail/Local Folders location in the active profile, while TB is closed. When TB is restarted, you should see the folders under Local Folders in the Folder Pane. This also works for mbox files in the Mail/<popaccount> and ImapMail/<imapaccount> folders.

PRINCY557
PRINCY557 Question owner
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Hi sfhowes, Thanks so much, looks like a plan, tomorrow I will be awake enough to try it. Will get back online and confirm I hope , but certainly sounds good. Regards Princy 557

PRINCY557
PRINCY557 Question owner
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Hi sfhowes, OK lets start with a BIG THANK YOU. It works like er, perfect as you said on your tin. I've only moved about six over, but no problems with any of them.. Made a record of it for future use if it happens again. Much appreciated. Stay safe in these mad times

Regards Princy557

PRINCY557
PRINCY557 Question owner
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Just another quick question.

under the file system above I have an identical folders. On the new system there are say 5 entries from the old system I have a hundred. Is it possible to merge rather than replace this data.

Would make the process even sweeter?

Regards Princy557

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 25 Contributor
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To merge a backup folder with an existing one of the same name, you would have to do it manually: rename the backup mbox file to Folder2, copy it into Mail/Local Folders, restart TB, select all the messages in Folder2 (Ctrl+A), then drag and drop them onto Folder.

There is an add-on for managing duplicates:

https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/remove-duplicate-messages-alte/