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How to migrate T-Bird V. 38.8.0 fron Win 7 to Win 11 without losing any saved messages, and not update T-Bird to a later version. (Version 38.8.0 does everything I need).

Thunderbird Install
david replied
LesF
LesF

I'm configuring my new Windows 11 computer, and I'd like to move my Thunderbird v. 38.8.0 (with all messages) from my Windows 7 computer to the new computer. To be clear, I do not want to update T-Bird to a later version. Version 38.8.0 does everything I need.

Any help would be appreciated.

I'm configuring my new Windows 11 computer, and I'd like to move my Thunderbird v. 38.8.0 (with all messages) from my Windows 7 computer to the new computer. To be clear, I do not want to update T-Bird to a later version. Version 38.8.0 does everything I need. Any help would be appreciated.

Modified by Wayne Mery

All Replies (1)

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor

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. install a current release of thunderbird, 64-bit on new PC. Start it and then exit.
  2. ensure thunderbird is NOT running on old machine
  3. enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
  4. this should open windows file explorer in Appdata\roaming folder
  5. highlight the Thunderbird folder and copy to external media
  6. ensure thunderbird is installed on second computer and NOT running
  7. enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
  8. 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
  9. start thunderbird and all should be there

This transfers accounts and message folders, but thunderbird has had updates. You need to manually update your addressbook. Do that with these steps:

  1. click tools>import>import from a file>addressbook>import address books and then tick Mork database file
  2. next, locate and select the abook.mab file from the exported profile
  3. now, repeat the steps for the history.mab address book

Finally, I encourage a thorough review of this URL for guidance in the many features that are new or different: 

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/getting-started-thunderbird-main-window-supernova