How do I backup & migrate Thunderbird Filters to a new PC?
Can anyone tell me how to a) backup my many Thunderbird filters, and b) migrate them to a new PC (although I suppose b should be easy enough if I can get the answer to a).
Are filters included in the Windows transfer mechanism?
And, even if they are, how can I copy & migrate the filters manually? (I've had problems with Windows transfer losing data in the past so don't like to rely on it.)
Thanks!
All Replies (3)
If you have not modified the paths to files in your profile.
The best transfer method is. Close Thunderbird (The set that causes most troubles. People try and copy it while Thunderbird is open and get corrupt files) Type %appdata% in the start menu and press enter. Drag the Thunderbird folder to a USB stick
On the new machine install thunderbird and start it but cancel out of the account setup wizard.
Go to Troubleshooting information on the help menu. Click the show profile button. close Thunderbird click up a few times on the explorer window untill you can see the appdata folder with a Thunderbird folder in it. Replace that Thunderbird folder with the one on your USB drive. Start Thunderbird.
A transfer all done and it bits are missing it is because you did not copy them.
I am told this add-on still works to import and export filters. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/thunderbird-message-filter-imp/?src=search
That sounds great - thank you. I've been backing up my profile but wasn't sure what files were included. I will try that as soon as new pc arrives.
Many thanks for your help!
Okulungisiwe ngu PurpleRabbit
That filter export no longer works on latest version and here is a problem I am having using plain old notepad to manually try and merge all filters into the main msgFilterRules.dat. So until someone answers this message I posted below, I think I may have found a new bug in the filters, smiles.