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Read archived Thunderbird e-mail without e-mail account

  • 2 replies
  • 2 have this problem
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  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

FormerUser
FormerUser
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I have an archive of old Thunderbird files that was saved from an account that I used to have. The old e-mail address no longer exists and I don't want to recreate it or create another a-mail account for accessing these e-mails. I just want to access the old e-mails that are in this archive. When I start up Thunderbird, it doesn't seem to allow me to do anything without entering a valid e-mail address. How can I get Thunderbird to allow me to read these old e-mails?

The contents of the root folder of the archive is shown below.

Thanks for your help.

Folders: 

    Inbox.mozmsgs
    Trash archive.mozmsgs
    Trash.mozmsgs
    Unsent Messages.mozmsgs

Files: 

    Drafts.msf
    Inbox
    Inbox.msf
    msgFilterRules.dat
    Sent.msf
    Trash
    Trash archive
    Trash archive.msf
    Trash.msf
    Unsent Messages
    Unsent Messages.msf
I have an archive of old Thunderbird files that was saved from an account that I used to have. The old e-mail address no longer exists and I don't want to recreate it or create another a-mail account for accessing these e-mails. I just want to access the old e-mails that are in this archive. When I start up Thunderbird, it doesn't seem to allow me to do anything without entering a valid e-mail address. How can I get Thunderbird to allow me to read these old e-mails? The contents of the root folder of the archive is shown below. Thanks for your help. Folders: Inbox.mozmsgs Trash archive.mozmsgs Trash.mozmsgs Unsent Messages.mozmsgs Files: Drafts.msf Inbox Inbox.msf msgFilterRules.dat Sent.msf Trash Trash archive Trash archive.msf Trash.msf Unsent Messages Unsent Messages.msf

All Replies (2)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Is thunderbird your current email client? Do you have any mail accounts using any email address in thunderbird?

If yes, you use Thunderbird, it has other mail accounts but not the one which these files were used by.

Install this addon - ImportExportTools.

Use it to import the eg: 'Inbox' mbox file no extension (not Inbox.msf) into 'Local Folders'.

Modified by Toad-Hall

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 25 Contributor
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If no you do not use Thunderbird.

close the auto opening add mail account window. Then install the addon.

download the .xpi file to desktop.

How to install: Tools > Addons OR Menu icon > Addons click on gear wheel icon and select ; Install addon from file' locate the .xpi file you just download and click on 'Open' You may need to restart Thuderbird.

When it asks you create mail account, close the window. Right click on 'Local Folders' shown in left Folder Pane' Choose 'Import Export tool > Import mbox file select 'Import directly one or more mbox files' click on OK locate the mbox file eg: 'Inbox' mbox file no extension (not Inbox.msf) click on Open

This will import the file into Local folders.

Repeat for other mbox files.

Each time you start Thunderbird it will ask to create mail account because it designed to hold mail accounts. You will need to close the window or create a mail account. You could create one using a current email address but deliberately enter an incorrect password. Although it will say it cannot configure one. Clickon Done to create the mail account. You do not have to use it but it will stop the prompt to create one. Then you can see emails in Local Folders.