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Want to pull emails from saved copy of Thunderbird after crash and then create backup on new windows

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 9 views
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

Adelemh99
Adelemh99
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Win10 crashed and had to reinstall. Had to re-download Thunderbird. Appears as though the whole Thunderbird app. was saved under windows.old file that was created during the new install.

Didn't realize emails were supposedly saved within the app and looked for something in the directory (including hidden files) that appeared as data on the new Thunderbird that is up and running so I could identify the old. Not having luck......Read many things as to "where" the data is.......... Would like to bring the old emails back somehow or if not able, can download Thunderbird on different computer and bring back there........

Also want to know how I can prevent this from happening again by backing up Thunderbird now. Please advise on both issues if possible.

Thank you,

Win10 crashed and had to reinstall. Had to re-download Thunderbird. Appears as though the whole Thunderbird app. was saved under windows.old file that was created during the new install. Didn't realize emails were supposedly saved within the app and looked for something in the directory (including hidden files) that appeared as data on the new Thunderbird that is up and running so I could identify the old. Not having luck......Read many things as to "where" the data is.......... Would like to bring the old emails back somehow or if not able, can download Thunderbird on different computer and bring back there........ Also want to know how I can prevent this from happening again by backing up Thunderbird now. Please advise on both issues if possible. Thank you,

All Replies (1)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Emails are not stored in the application. The Thunderbird profile folder is not in the same location as the Thunderbird application.

Emails are stored in the User Account > Appdata > Roaming > Thunderbird > Profiles > 'Profile name' folder, but there is a whole load of other stuff like address books and message filters etc, so .....

So you need to access 'windows.old' folder Locate:

  • C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\
  • Copy the 'Thunderbird' folder - it will have everything in that folder including the 'profile.ini' file.

Make sure Thunderbird is not running. This is important.

Access the new current location where profile has been created:

  • C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\'Thunderbird'\
  • Delete that default 'Thunderbird' folder
  • Paste the copied 'Thunderbird' folder ( from 'window.old') into the 'Roaming' folder.

Basically inserting the one you used before to replace the new default one. Start Thunderbird and it should pick up all your old data.