You need a space between the ''exe'' and the ''-P'' Start>Run>Thunderbird.exe -P I suspect you'll also need the full path of the thunderbird executable, similar to this: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe" -P You can find this by looking at the Properties of the entry in your start menu.

'''How to activate the 'Profile Manager' and create a shortcut icon on desktop to make future access easier:''' * https://getsatisfaction.com/mozilla_messaging/topics/where_is_the_profile_manager_hidden_in_windows_8 * http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_Manager Note: 'Start>Run>Thunderbird.exe-p' is not correct, so you are not following the instructions. Please read info at the above links above to enter the correct path. the info for Win7 and win8 are the same. However, before going down that route ; I preume you have already created a Profile in Win7 machine; please read the following information. re: 'trying to manually transfer my address book etc. from TB on my desktop [windows XP ] to my Laptop running widows 7.' So are you trying to just migrate the address book or the entire Profile? '''If just migrating various Address Books.''' The 'Personal Address Book' and the 'Collected Addresses' are default Thunderbird files. These files can be copy pasted from one profile to another. To see Profile folders: * make hidden files visible: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders * In XP Thunderbird, 'Help' > 'Troubleshooting Information' * click on 'Show folder' * close Thunderbird now. * scroll down and look for 'abook.mab' and 'history.mab' * copy those files and move to same location on the Win7 machine. For other address books. * In XP Thunderbird * select 'Address Book' * select the name of the address book * Tools > Export * choose where to save * give suitable filename * Save as type: comma separated .csv or LDIF * Copy that file to desktop of new Win7 computer. Then in Win7 Thunderbird Address Book * Tools > Import * Choose the saved address book and click on Open. '''If you want to migrate the entire Profile:''' This can be done manually or using a tool called MozBackup. See info at this link: * http://kb.mozillazine.org/Move_to_a_new_PC When manually copy pasting files, I presume you have installed Thunderbird on new win7 machine and allowed it to run for the first time to create a Profile, but did not choose to create any existing accounts. So you have a Profile, but no mail accounts except for the default Local Folders. The files you need to copy are: * In XP Thunderbird, 'Help' > 'Troubleshooting Information' * click on 'Show folder' * close Thunderbird now. This shows you all the files '''in''' your Profile folder. These are the files you need to copy and paste into the new Profile folder in Thunderbird on Win7 machine, overwriting the default created files. now open Thunderbird. '''Additional info: on Profile folder: ''' * http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Thunderbird