We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Need help migrating Thunderbird from dead computer to new computer

  • 5
  • 1 nwere nsogbu anwere nsogbu a
  • 5 views
  • Nzaghachi ikpeazụ nke 53timr

more options

My old computer died however I salvaged the hard drive and it is still good.

I had several email accounts set up in Thunderbird, some were IMAP and others POP. I also had several years of emails saved to local folders.

I can always set up all the email again, but it would be easier if there were some configuration file I could salvage from the old hard drive.

More importantly, is there any way I can get back my saved emails???

Also, my files were backed up on Carbonite and I could access them there, I just have no idea which files I need.

My old computer died however I salvaged the hard drive and it is still good. I had several email accounts set up in Thunderbird, some were IMAP and others POP. I also had several years of emails saved to local folders. I can always set up all the email again, but it would be easier if there were some configuration file I could salvage from the old hard drive. More importantly, is there any way I can get back my saved emails??? Also, my files were backed up on Carbonite and I could access them there, I just have no idea which files I need.

Asịsa ahọpụtara

Hi there, I've just done a similar thing myself. Everything is stored in your "Profile", (though not sure about multiple mail accounts as I have only one). Your Profile is located in "C:\Users\**<username>**\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles" If it/they are over 2GB in size you need to manually copy it/them. If less, then you can use the Export option from Thunderbird.

Hope that helps. Jules

Gụọ azịza a na nghọta 👍 2

All Replies (5)

more options

Asịsa Ahọpụtara

Hi there, I've just done a similar thing myself. Everything is stored in your "Profile", (though not sure about multiple mail accounts as I have only one). Your Profile is located in "C:\Users\**<username>**\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles" If it/they are over 2GB in size you need to manually copy it/them. If less, then you can use the Export option from Thunderbird.

Hope that helps. Jules

more options

Thank you Jules. I will try to manually copy those files from the old C: drive to my new one.

more options

Just a couple of comments for anyone else in this situation. Make sure you have file explorer set to show hidden files.

1. Find the directory C:\Users\your-user-name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird on your old hard drive and copy it to the new hard drive.

2. Then install Thunderbird.

My file was about 17 GB in size because I had saved a lot of mail in local folders over the years. Thanks Jules for pointing me in the right direction. This saved me a ton of frustration and work.

more options

A tip: with thunderbird 102, just - start thunderbird - ignore prompt for new email address and click 'home' tab - on that next screen, click the import button and then select import from other machine and then select wherever you have the saved profile, such as USB stick.

more options

David, good to know! Thanks for the tip.