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When I update Thunderbird to a new version, will all my emails and settings automatically be transferred to the new version?

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  • Last reply by Zenos

cds10
cds10
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I am using an old version of Thunderbird and want to update to a newer version. Will my old emails and settings be transferred to the new version?

Also, if I somehow lost all my emails, would I be able to retrieve them on a new computer after I install Thunderbird? Thank you for your help.

I am using an old version of Thunderbird and want to update to a newer version. Will my old emails and settings be transferred to the new version? Also, if I somehow lost all my emails, would I be able to retrieve them on a new computer after I install Thunderbird? Thank you for your help.

Chosen solution

Back up your profile.

Install the new version. It should pick up your existing profile and work with it. In anything doesn't work out, you can re-install the older version of Thunderbird and restore the profile from your backup.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data

For your second question, that depends on where your messages are stored and how you managed to "lose" them.

If your accounts use POP, or if you store messages in Local Folders, then you are reliant on your own local backups.

If your messages are stored using IMAP then they will be on remote servers, and should just re-appear in a new installation of Thunderbird, UNLESS you did something to delete them all. If you delete them in Thunderbird, in an IMAP-connected account they would also be dleted from the server.

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Zenos
Zenos
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Chosen Solution

Back up your profile.

Install the new version. It should pick up your existing profile and work with it. In anything doesn't work out, you can re-install the older version of Thunderbird and restore the profile from your backup.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data

For your second question, that depends on where your messages are stored and how you managed to "lose" them.

If your accounts use POP, or if you store messages in Local Folders, then you are reliant on your own local backups.

If your messages are stored using IMAP then they will be on remote servers, and should just re-appear in a new installation of Thunderbird, UNLESS you did something to delete them all. If you delete them in Thunderbird, in an IMAP-connected account they would also be dleted from the server.