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Migration to a new computer

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  • Igcine ukuphendulwa ngu Toad-Hall

mozilla768
mozilla768

I wish to move my Thunderbird and lightning application, including all filters and old emails, to a new computer. In the old versions that I used to use, this was as easy as copy and paste, but that seems to not be the case with version 140, so I have to bother you with a request for help.

I am running LinuxMint Mate 22.2.

I followed the directions in one of your articles and found myself at the Troubleshooting page, Profile Directory entry. I clicked the Open Directory button next to it as instructed, but nothing happens. So, since your instructions said that that action would just take me to a .Thunderbird directory anyway, I attempted to search for that with hidden files turned off. But no joy their, either.

Can you let me in on a secret, like what is the path is to this hidden folder, rather than having me use your mystery button? Then I can just move the files myself, if that is indeed the solution.

Thank you for your assistance.

I wish to move my Thunderbird and lightning application, including all filters and old emails, to a new computer. In the old versions that I used to use, this was as easy as copy and paste, but that seems to not be the case with version 140, so I have to bother you with a request for help. I am running LinuxMint Mate 22.2. I followed the directions in one of your articles and found myself at the Troubleshooting page, Profile Directory entry. I clicked the Open Directory button next to it as instructed, but nothing happens. So, since your instructions said that that action would just take me to a .Thunderbird directory anyway, I attempted to search for that with hidden files turned off. But no joy their, either. Can you let me in on a secret, like what is the path is to this hidden folder, rather than having me use your mystery button? Then I can just move the files myself, if that is indeed the solution. Thank you for your assistance.

All Replies (1)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor

Are both computers using Linux OS ?

Did you install Thunderbird from the official website?

Or did you get Thunderbird from Snap or Flatpak ?

I ask the above because that determines where the '.thunderbird' folder is located. The '.thunderbird' folder contains everything - so that is the folder to copy.

If downloaded from website then it should be here:

  • /home/user/.thunderbird

I think Flatpak puts it here:

  • /home/username/.var/app/org.mozilla.Thunderbird/.thunderbird

Snap could be here :

  • /home/username/snap/thunderbird/common/.thunderbird

Remember - Thunderbird must not be running whilst doing any copy and pasting on either computer. To get everything - profile, preferences, accounts, mail, address books, calendars etc etc, you need to copy the '.thunderbird' folder Where it is located depends upon method you used to install Thunderbird.

When you want to paste it into new computer - install Thunderbird first and then locate the new default created '.thunderbird' folder and delete it. Then paste in the copied '.thunderbird' folder into same location thus replacing the one you deleted.

Buza umbuzo

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