If you run your own mail server go with the flow instead of against it and use server config files.

This is extracted from MDN here https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Thunderbird/Autoconfiguration

Configuration server at ISP ISPs have the option to provide their configuration information themselves directly to users, by setting up a web server at autoconfig.<domain>, which simply returns a static XML file with the configuration, as described below. For more complicated setups, for example when the login name does not appear in the the email address, the XML file can also be generated by the ISP. In such complicated cases, this is the only way to allow an automatic setup. Configuration file on harddisk Administrators may place a configuration file in the Thunderbird installation folder. This is mainly intended for companies who install Thunderbird on their employees' computers and want to enable easy account setup without having to set up a configuration server. This method is not practical for other use cases, because it is difficult to update the configuration file. Therefore, public ISPs should use a configuration server.

That only deals with connection settings, be aware there are many *other* user settings in tbird for an email account as well - things that are *not* server-specific, but rather user-specific. I'm talking about duplicting the *full* set of account settings, not just server connection.

[Inappropriate use of language toward user hidden]

Are you deliberately *trying* to be difficult?

No I am stating the obvious. [Inappropriate non-sense hidden]

I'm just looking for a way to copy an account configuration. A basic feature even Outlook Express was capable of. That's hardly "chasing rainbows", and I'd expect FAR better treatment from a moderator (of all people) than your accusations, sarcasm, snide remaks, and outright confrontational dismissiveness.

I you're unwilling to provide anything more constructive than dismissiveness and arguing, then kindly refrain from posting and leave the topic for others to respond to instead.

Thunderbird can not do that. What part of that don't you get. [Inappropriate tone of language used. Post hidden]

Since Mozilla has thus far been uncooperative, abusive and overall unwilling to help, I've gone and dug into their application for them. Hopefully posting this will help spare others with real-world needs from the abusive and dismissive attitudes of Mozilla's moderators:

How to Copy a Thunderbird email account:

- Close Thunderbird

- Open in a text editor: ~/.[icedove|thunderbird]/[random looking chars].default/prefs.js

- Do a text search for the email address you want to copy. You're looking for the "mail.identity.id[some number].useremail" entry.

- Make a copy of *all* the "mail.identity.id[some number].*" entries for the email account you're copying and modify the copy like this:

   - Change the "[some number]" to a new and unused id number.
   - Change every occurrence of the old email address to the new one.

- Find the "mail.account.account[some number].server" and "mail.account.account[some number].identities" entries for "id[your *original* id number]". Note that the account number MIGHT NOT be the same as the id number. Copy these two entries and modify the copy like this:

   - Change the id number to the new account's id number
   - Change the account numbers to a new unused account number.
   - Change the "server[yet another number]" to another new unused server number (ie, yet another possibly-distinct number from the id and account numbers).

- Go to the "mail.accountmanager.accounts" setting. Add "account[your new account number]" to the comma separated list of account numbers.

- Go to the "mail.server.server[old server number].*" entries. Copy all of them and modify the copies like this:

   - Update the server number to the new server number
   - Update all occurrences of the old email address to the new one.
   - Make sure to also change "mail.server.server[old server number].directory" and "mail.server.server[old server number].directory-rel" to new unused values (just change the last part of both to the new email address).

- Actually create the new directory you set as the "mail.server.server[new server number].directory" value. Copy the "msgFilterRules.dat" file from the old email address's directory into this new directory.

- Edit the new "msgFilterRules.dat" file and update its contents as appropriate.

- Save everything and run Thunderbird.

- When you first use the new email address, Thunderbird will automatically ask for you password. Have it remember or not remember as usual.

Manually, these steps aren't any simpler than doing it through the GUI. *However*, at least this method can be easily automated, and that *does* [unofficially] solve the problem.

Naturally, this is a "well, it works for me" solution, but without cooperation from any Mozilla devs, it's the best I can do. :/

"Thunderbird can not do that."

You could have said this right from the start (You did *NOT* say this until now. If you don't believe me, go back and re-read your posts), but instead you decided to become sarcastic. That is not appropriate behavior for a moderator, and neither is "What part of that don't you get".

Your posts have been flagged as inappropriate. I trust that Mozilla will review and take appropriate action. Goodbye.

[Inappropriate use of writing towards user hidden]

Abscissa,

I would like to personally apologize, for the experience you had today on the Mozilla Support forum. This is not the service excellence promise that we strive to have on this forum. From my standpoint, the posts you've reported have been taken care of by me. I also do see that you have been able to answer your own question and therefore I am sorry that we couldn't answer your question in an appropriate manner at this time. Please do accept my apologies.

I have locked this thread to prevent any more trouble, therefore you can not longer post any more replies. If you want speak with me directly, you can contact me by pressing the "Private Message" link on my profile.

Thanks for contacting Mozilla Support, sorry for any inconvenience caused. Have a wonderful day!