Welcome back, Robin! I'm glad you found the missing elements. First, please clarify what you want. For example, if you found the complete old profile, you can make that the default. I think that was POP? The new account is IMAP? You have a choice here. If you're comfortable with the new profile, we can merge your content into it. OR, we can work to make the old profile the default, and then merge the new profiles content back to it.

David,

With HELP, the data (In Box contents & folder contents) was found in the profile. Nothing allowed/made the files functional.

I lost track of what was tried. I had help creating a new POP# account, but the old material wasn't visible (functioning) in the POP3 account. The new POP3 account did not function / work with the recovered material.

I need to know how to combine the old In Box & old files with a new POP3, so everything works i.e. get mail, send mail, & access all working as it used to.

Please, as best can be done keep the steps clear - simple. THANKS! Remain WELL & be SAFE!

Robin

OK, here is an approach:

1. create a new POP account. The default is to download and delete from server. If that is NOT what you want, then DO NOT enter password when setting up the account, and click 'account settings' to review carefully what you want and then enter password.
2. retrieve any new messages.
3. now, install the addon, importexporttools NG
4. highlight the inbox of the account, rightclick and select the importexport option to import mbox. Now, select the old inbox folder (be sure to ignore any msf files)
5. now, highlight the Sent folder and repeat the process of importing old Sent folder
6. if you had any old local folders, highlight Local Folders, rightclick and select the importexport option, one at a time, for each such folder.

At this point, assuming everything works, I recommend creating a backup.

I suggest doing the backup periodically and keep these steps for future use: BACKUP

1. ensure thunderbird is not running
2. enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
3. this should open windows file explorer in Appdata\roaming folder
4. highlight the Thunderbird folder and copy to external media

RESTORE

1. ensure thunderbird is installed and NOT running
2. enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
3. 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
4. start thunderbird and all should be there

Let me know how it goes.

QUESTIONS: Should any TB be open-running, or close first?

" .... create a new POP account. The default is to download and delete from server."

? Download from what server? Then, ?delete from server?

"If that is NOT what you want, then DO NOT enter password when setting up the account, and click 'account settings' to review carefully what you want and then enter password."

Dave, how do I 'know what I want' (or need)? Do I have to enter a password at this time. Once everything is working like it used to, if I want/need a password, can't I enter it later?

" ... retrieve any new messages."

At what point do I start TB to get New Messages?

"... now, install the addon, importexporttools NG"

Where is - how do I find it?

" ... highlight the inbox of the account,

The new POP3 account I created?

" ... right click and select the import export option to import mbox.

'mbox' will be a visible option? Possibly the 'add on' you want me to install - add is different? So far, every Import / export option I've tried, ONLY 'worked' with another software, not with the software (TB) I'm using?

" ... Now, select the old inbox folder (be sure to ignore any msf files)

With all original account e-mails? Will it be a visible option?

" ... now, highlight the Sent folder and repeat the process of importing old Sent folder

" ..... if you had any old local folders, highlight Local Folders, right click and select the import export option, one at a time, for each such folder.

Not clear/sure what local folders are - contain, but as far as I know I don't (shouldn't) have any.

" ... I suggest doing the backup periodically and keep these steps for future use:"

Is there a way (or software) that will do an auto backup say every day / once a week, etc.?

BACKUP

 " .... ensure thunderbird is not running"

" .... 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"

Like a thumb drive or CD/DVD?

Once the above is successfully completed AND WORKING, I'll review - deal with the remaining portion of your message.

I will wait for your reply to be SURE I'm clear - doing it RIGHT.

Thanks! Remain in GOOD health, be WELL, 'n be

SAFE!

Robin

Robin, At some point, you need to take action. I will simplify this.

1. click to 'Addons&themes'
2. highlight 'extensions' in left side bar if not already done
3. in search window, enter 'importexport'
4. the importexporttools NG option will appear. Click the button to install.
5. now, click "new account' from menu and then click email
6. now, create your POP account, entering password and whatever to establish the account and get it working. If there are new messages retrieve them.
7. Now, highlight the inbox folder for account
8. rightclick and select the importexporttools option to import mbox (yes, it says that explicitly)
9. locate and select the old inbox file and import it
10. repeat the process by highlighting Sent folder, rightclicking and importing the old sent file.
11. I presume there were only the inbox and sent folder so you're now done.

Do all of this and then ask your next question. I would like for you to at least reach this level first.

Dave,

At some point, you need to take action. I will simplify this.

I HAVE! I'm sure from your perspective it may not seem that way.

 I did!  click to 'Addons&themes'
 I did!   highlight 'extensions' in left side bar if not already done
 I did!  in search window, enter 'importexport'

My TB is version 102.15.1 my screen shows:

     Category    All Add-ons
     Works with  Thunderbird 102.15
     All Systems  No Results Found

NO 'importexporttools NG option appears.' I tried to take a screen shot.

So how can - do I proceed? I try to follow your instructions to the letter - 'T' but I'm stymied. Please rethink your wording, "At some point, you need to take action."

That is exactly what I have been TRYING to do! Now I must wait for your reply rather than making progress.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

   now, click "new account' from menu and then click email
   now, create your POP account, entering password and whatever to establish the account and get it working. If there are new messages retrieve them.
   Now, highlight the inbox folder for account
   rightclick and select the importexporttools option to import mbox (yes, it says that explicitly)
   locate and select the old inbox file and import it
   repeat the process by highlighting Sent folder, rightclicking and importing the old sent file.
   I presume there were only the inbox and sent folder so you're now done. 

Do all of this and then ask your next question. I would like for you to at least reach this level first.

My apologies. I hadn't realized you were using 102. Go to https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools-ng/versions/?page=1#version-12.0.4 and download version 12.0.4 . Then, back on the addons page for extensions, click the gear wheel on the right and then select the 'install addon from file' option, and then proceed as documented previously. We will get through this together. Honest! :)

David,

Do I (should I) start using some other e-mail software, that will EASILY import both the OLD e-mail files and the newer (past 3-4 weeks)?

I followed (tried to) the following instructions:

     "Go to https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/           

importexporttools-ng/versions/?page=1#version-12.0.4 and download version 12.0.4 . Then, back on the addons page for extensions, click the gear wheel on the right and then select the 'install addon from file' option, and then proceed as documented previously"

I downloaded the above link. It won't open (if it should?). Tried using it with the Ad On option, it still says, "No Results Found " for both importexport AND for importexportng. I found & went to 'All Add Ons, it does not find either of the above.

If I'm to use TB can you (someone send to dulca @ duo - county . com) me a way to get TB working with prior In Box messages AND all messages residing in the folders? There's two active legal and one active medical case all risking dismissal / adverse judgement!

I have no idea why my efforts to follow your guidance FAIL.

Remain WELL & be SAFE!

OK, not your error. That file is empty. I found it elsewhere at https://github.com/thunderbird/import-export-tools-ng/releases/tag/v12.0.3 use your Chrome or Edge browser to download, as I think Firefox will resist it. The file is under the title ASSETS and ends in .xpi

Hi David. I have a similar but not exactly the same problem. Should I start a new support request? The problem is that I have three profiles, all quite large totaling about 20GB with the oldest going back to the 1990s. A recent change in Thunderbird has made it impossible (or maybe is it possible?) to open the two earlier profiles. The program, 140.6.0esr (64 bit) runs on Xubuntu 2024.04.3 LTS. I'm a bit fanatical about backups and have the same setup running on a Fedora installation with Thunderbird 140.3.0esr and it still works to access the earlier profiles. Is it possible to combine the three profiles into one on the Fedora installation, or perhaps it's possible to regain access to all three profiles on the Ubuntu installation. Or possibly I'm asking the wrong question and there is a better solution. Thanks in advance.

PS, immediate response certainly not expected...enjoy the holidays!

If the desire is to merge contents of local folders, that's straightforward; if it is to move accounts (such as accountA on one profile and accountB on another profile and moving accountA to the other profile) that isn't doable. If, on the other hand, you have accountA on one profile and also on another profile, it is possible to merge the message folders from one to the other. So, please share more details on what components you want to share and we can work with that. And Merry Christmas to you. :)

Thanks Dave. The oldest profile has mostly email accounts that no longer exist. I'm hoping to keep them as they are and be able to access them.

On my main platform, when starting Thunderbird all three profiles appear as choices on a list in a "Choose User Profile" box, but only the most recent profile will open. When I try to open either of the two older profiles, a message box appears with the heading "You have launched an older version of Thunderbird" with a message and "More information" that seem not relevant.

Using an earlier version of Thunderbird on a different platform (Fedora) all of the profiles appear in the "Choose User Profile" box, and each will open if selected.

When I look at the profiles.ini file, everything looks as expected with all three profiles.

OK, we can fix this. The old profiles are not what you want (as I read your post); it's the message content. Right? We could force the older profiles, but that's not your intent; you want to get all messages onto the active profile. True? Assuming I'm right, here are the steps. And, if I'm wrong, I'll give different steps. :)

1. first, click addons from menu and install the addon, importexporttools NG
2. next, click and highlight Local Folders
3. now, rightclick and select the importexport option to import mbox
4. next, point windows file explorer to your other profiles at c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird\profiles and pick one of the profiles with desired content
5. now, within that profile, click the Mail\<POP account> folder
6. there, you will see your inbox and sent folder for the account. You can ignore the .msf files. Click the inbox and press enter.
7. this will import that folder to Local Folders. I suggest renaming as whatever suits you.
8. repeat the above steps for the sent folder
9. if there were local folders in that profile, repeat the process and select Mail\Local Folders to locate and import folders.
10. now that you have imported messages for any POP acccount and local folders for that profile, repeat the proces for other profiles that you have.

Yes, this is a manual process, but it ensures you import all desired folders. This also works for any old IMAP accounts where the messages had been fully downloaded.

Let me know of problems and we'll work through them.

Probably I've made my goal sound too complex. I just want to open any one of the three profiles when starting Thunderbird on my Linux installation. Hopefully it won't be necessary to change anything about any of the profiles.

OK, try this: go to each profile and delete the compatibilities.ini file. Do that when thunderbird is not running. That's your best bet. Then, if the profile doesn't start, that may imply that the profile is corrupt.

That worked perfectly! Each profile opens when selected at startup. Many thanks Dave for making Thunderbird the great app that it is.

You're very welcome. :)