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How can I copy Thunderbird emails to Thunderbird on another computer

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by christ1

DanRaymer
DanRaymer
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I use T-Bird on my main laptop and regularly save the "Local" folder where T-Bird emails are kept. My main laptop just died and has been sent out for service. While it is gone, I want to access my old emails on my backup computer, without connecting to the server which would immediately download new email to the backup machine, erasing them from the server.

I have Thunderbird on the backup computer and have tried to "Import" from the memory stick with the saved "Local" folder. The only option is to import from Outlook Express.

I also tried to find the "Local" folder on the backup computer but can't find it. Maybe I have to set up T-Bird on my server before that folder is created (?).

I can open the "Local" folder on my memory stick and can see those emails, but the straight-text formatting is almost unreadable.

Is there a way to copy emails from the "Local" folder on my memory stick and open them in T-Bird? Thanks.

I use T-Bird on my main laptop and regularly save the "Local" folder where T-Bird emails are kept. My main laptop just died and has been sent out for service. While it is gone, I want to access my old emails on my backup computer, without connecting to the server which would immediately download new email to the backup machine, erasing them from the server. I have Thunderbird on the backup computer and have tried to "Import" from the memory stick with the saved "Local" folder. The only option is to import from Outlook Express. I also tried to find the "Local" folder on the backup computer but can't find it. Maybe I have to set up T-Bird on my server before that folder is created (?). I can open the "Local" folder on my memory stick and can see those emails, but the straight-text formatting is almost unreadable. Is there a way to copy emails from the "Local" folder on my memory stick and open them in T-Bird? Thanks.

All Replies (4)

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Install this add-on. https://addons.mozilla.org/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/

DanRaymer
DanRaymer Question owner
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Looks good, downloaded and did installation, found the new Tools, but the item I need, "Import all messages for a directory" is grayed-out and unusable.

Maybe it won't work unless I have T-Bird connected to a server? That's just what I don't want to do.

Any fix for this? It looks like exactly what I need.

DanRaymer
DanRaymer Question owner
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I made a dummy email account at gmx.com and set T-Bird to use it. Now the "import all messages..." can be clicked, it has me navigate to the folder with my old T-Bird messages, I select it, but nothing happens.

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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I have never used ImportExportTools, so I can't tell you what import option you need to pick. You may not be able to import everything in one step. The add-on author has a support web site, you may check there.

I made a dummy email account at gmx.com and set T-Bird to use it.

I'm not sure why you'd need a dummy account. You can always import into the 'Local Folders' account.