In TB, you have the email profiles at the top in the lh pane and the offline folders in a separate place below them. You can make folders here and then click-drag the files into them to make a local copy.

I don't see a Local Folders entry in the left-hand pane; not sure if that matters.

It does. Did you rename the Local Folders account at some point, or did you attempt to delete it?

Also, please post your Troubleshooting Information. At the top right of the Thunderbird window, click the menu button , then select Help > Troubleshooting Information. Press the "Copy text to clipboard button" and paste the information into your reply.

> Did you rename the Local Folders account at some point, or did you attempt to delete it?

Not that I recall; certainly not recently (last few years). I did shift from POP to IMAP years ago. I see under "Account Settings" a heading for Local Folders, at the same level as my two IMAP accounts.

Rather than post the 34K troubleshooting info inline, I uploaded it to TB troubleshooting info but I can post the whole thing here if needed.

As per your Troubleshooting Information the 'Local Folders' account exists.

What do you see in your folder pane? Please post a screenshot with all accounts visible. https://support.mozilla.org/kb/how-do-i-create-screenshot-my-problem

Thanks! Yes, I see the Local Folders directory on File Explorer. Attached are screenshots of the TB folder pane, the Account Settings, and the files under the Local Folders directory (which shows Sent activity as of last May). [since deleted]

Looking at your third screenshot, your profile seems to be located on drive E: Did you deliberately move it there?

What is the profile folder? https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data#w_how-do-i-find-my-profile

Your cache folders are located inside the profile. That doesn't help when backing up the profile, as cache data doesn't need to be backed up. On the other hand, my guess would be you never backed up your profile. Am I right?

Since the Local Folders account apparent is missing in the first screenshot, what is the 'Local Directory' setting for the 'Local Folders' account? Check your Account Settings.

[deleted]

Once again: What is the 'Local Directory' setting for the 'Local Folders' account?

What is your profile folder (the full path)?

E:\TBirdFiles\ronks\Mail\Local Folders

Date modified: 5/14/2024

For the last time: what is your profile folder?

As I stated above,

> I see that %APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles\ points to C:\Users\[myuserID]\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles

More precisely, [deleted]

Thank you. Why was that so hard?

Do you see a directory

C:\Users\Gawain\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\sgy9xpb8.default\Mail\Local Folders

in the file system?

If so, then you'll have to adjust the 'Local Directory' setting for the 'Local Folders' account to

C:\Users\Gawain\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\sgy9xpb8.default\Mail\Local Folders

It currently points to the orphan profile on the E: drive.

Restart Thunderbird. Do you now see Local Folders in the Folder Pane?

I figured out the answer on my own; problem solved.

After reading over this thread, I feel I should advise Mozilla forum members to beware of posts from the individual calling himself christ1. He plainly knows less than he pretends to know, and his overbearing and offensive manner is apt to intimidate posters seeking assistance. He is not an asset to the community; or maybe just the first three letters.  ;-)