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Need to move TB to new computer -- inexplicable multiple profiles

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  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by david

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I'm installing Thunderbird on a new computer and need to move my data. Usually not a big deal, except the old installation inexplicably has multiple profiles. I have multiple email addresses, but I'm only one user, and have no idea why there are multiple profiles, let alone how to get a new installation to recognize all of them -- or if I need all of them.

Two of the three end in ".default" One ends in ".default-release" How can there be multiple "default" profiles? Nothing about this makes sense, so I'm not sure what procedure to follow to get my email moved over.

I'm installing Thunderbird on a new computer and need to move my data. Usually not a big deal, except the old installation inexplicably has multiple profiles. I have multiple email addresses, but I'm only one user, and have no idea ''why'' there are multiple profiles, let alone how to get a new installation to recognize all of them -- or if I need all of them. Two of the three end in ".default" One ends in ".default-release" How can there be multiple "default" profiles? Nothing about this makes sense, so I'm not sure what procedure to follow to get my email moved over.

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click help>moretroubleshootinginformation, scroll down to 'profiles', click about:profiles and that screen will show you your default profile. That's the only one you need. Depending on your PC's history, a fresh install of TB always creates a default profile and if you did any profile manipulation, you may have created others over time. But the only one you need is the one that is your true default.

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And if I don't have access to the old installation anymore?

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In that case, just use File Explorer to browse the Mail and Imapmail folders to see if your accounts are there and compare which has the most recent dates.