These steps should work:

1. In file manager, open the profile that you want to use from Windows. select all and copy to clipboard
2. install thunderbird on linux, if not already done
3. click help>troubleshootinginformation
4. scroll to 'profile folder' and click 'open folder'
5. exit thunderbird
6. you are in the profile. Paste what you copied here ########
7. if there is a compatibilities.ini file, delete it
8. restart thunderbird

That looks like a good procedure. The problem is that I no longer have access to Windows. It wouldn't run after the attempted dual boot install of LM. So, as stated in my original post, I installed LM on that drive and wiped out everything from the Windows install. Therefore, your suggestion (which would no doubt work) won't work for me. I need a way to get my saved stuff back that doesn't depend on having Windows available.

I may not understand the situation. You don't necessarily need to have Windows running, you just have to have access to files on the Windows disc partition in order to copy your profile folder to the Linux partition or to some other media like a flash drive.

If you have destroyed all the data on the Windows partition, you're out of luck unless you have a backup available.

I believe i is possible to access a windows hard drive from within Linux. I think it i a 'mount' process and you may get a better set of instructions on a linux forum. If you do a web search on how to view a windows hard drive from linux, there are many websites with info. I would go that route.