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!

This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

How to restore old Thunderbird email account?

  • 1 reply
  • 2 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by gild

RussJP
RussJP
more options

I just had a hard drive crash repaired. How can I get my old TB email acct back w/folders, old emails, etc. I had to start over with the same email address.

I just had a hard drive crash repaired. How can I get my old TB email acct back w/folders, old emails, etc. I had to start over with the same email address.

All Replies (1)

gild
gild
more options

Backups are the answer to problems like this.

If you have a recent backup of your Thunderbird profile on a separate drive, or if the repair person was able to recover the profile information from the damaged drive, then you are in luck. Messages that you have already downloaded have been stored inside your profile. This Support Forum has many articles on how to restore those messages, depending on your circumstances

If you have an IMAP mail account, like gmail, your old messages may still be on their servers, unless you specifically deleted them. A new installation of TB, configured properly, can still access those accounts and view any messages remaining on the server.

Backup! Backup! Backup!