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How to move Thunderbird data (accounts, messages, passwords) to a new computer.

{for win} [[Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywJ6eQwhb78]] {/for} Thunderbird stores your data in a separate location, away from the {for win}program files{/for}{for mac,linux}application{/for}, called your [[Profiles - Where Thunderbird stores your messages and other user data|profile folder]]. To move your data, you can copy your profile folder to the equivalent location on your destination computer. {note}'''Note:''' If you have used the Profile Manager on your source computer to store your Thunderbird profile folder in a custom location into a remote storage drive, [[Using Multiple Profiles|create a new profile]] on your destination computer and set that profile to use the same location. Thunderbird's new installation will use the already existing data.{/note} * '''On your source computer''' *# Connect a device for data transfer, either a local one such as a USB flash drive, or a remote storage drive. *# {for win,linux}Click the menu button [[Image:Fx57Menu]], then click {menu Help} and select {menu Troubleshooting Information}.{/for}{for mac}Open the {menu Help} menu and select {menu Troubleshooting Information}.{/for} *# Locate the "Profile Folder" entry, then click {for win}{button Open Folder}{/for}{for linux}{button Open Directory}{/for}{for mac}{button Show in Finder}{/for}.<br>Your Thunderbird profile folder will open in {for win}Windows Explorer{/for}{for linux}File Browser{/for}{for mac}Finder{/for}. *# {for win,linux}Close{/for}{for mac}Quit{/for} Thunderbird. *# From your Thunderbird profile folder in {for win}Windows Explorer{/for}{for linux}File Browser{/for}{for mac}Finder{/for}, {for win}go up three levels{/for}{for linux}go up two levels{/for}{for mac}open the {menu Go} menu and select {menu Enclosing Folder} two times{/for}. *# [[T:contextmenu]] on the {filepath {for win, mac}Thunderbird{/for}{for linux}.thunderbird{/for} } folder and select {for win,linux}{menu Copy}{/for}{for mac}{menu Copy "Thunderbird"}{/for}.{for linux}<br>({filepath .thunderbird} is a hidden folder. Make sure you have File Browser set to show hidden files.){/for} *# [[T:contextmenu]] the device you are using to transfer your data, then select {for win,linux}{menu Paste}{/for}{for mac}{menu Paste Item}{/for}. *# If you are using a local transfer device, remove it safely from the source computer. {note}'''Note:''' This steps can also be used to create a backup of your Thunderbird profile folder.{/note} * '''On your destination computer''' *# Connect the same transfer device you have used before to copy your Thunderbird profile folder from the source computer. *# [[T:contextmenu]] on the copy of the Thunderbird profile folder that you created on the transfer device, then select {for win,linux}{menu Copy}{/for}{for mac}{menu Copy "Thunderbird"}{/for}. *# Open Thunderbird (Close the account setup window if it appears.) *# {for win,linux}Click the menu button [[Image:Fx57Menu]], then click {menu Help} and select {menu Troubleshooting Information}.{/for}{for mac}Open the {menu Help} menu and select {menu Troubleshooting Information}.{/for} *# Locate the "Profile Folder" entry, then click {for win}{button Open Folder}{/for}{for linux}{button Open Directory}{/for}{for mac}{button Show in Finder}{/for}.<br>Your Thunderbird profile folder will open in {for win}Windows Explorer{/for}{for linux}File Browser{/for}{for mac}Finder{/for}. *# {for win,linux}Close{/for}{for mac}Quit{/for} Thunderbird. *# From your Thunderbird profile folder in {for win}Windows Explorer{/for}{for linux}File Browser{/for}{for mac}Finder{/for}, {for win}go up three levels{/for}{for linux}go up two levels{/for}{for mac}open the {menu Go} menu and select {menu Enclosing Folder} two times{/for}. *# [[T:contextmenu]] inside the folder, then select {for win,linux}{menu Paste}{/for}{for mac}{menu Paste Item}{/for}. *# When prompted, choose to replace your current data.