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.

thunderbird does not open profile copied from old computer

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 19 views
  • Last reply by jamescobban

jamescobban
jamescobban
more options

Before installing Ubuntu 18.04 I copied the entire contents of my home directory to a backup disk. After installing Ubuntu 18.04 I restored the entire contents of the home directory, including the .thunderbird folder. This folder includes a folder p7sgquu9.default and a profiles.ini which points at that folder. I have many e-mail accounts and fifteen YEARS of accumulated e-mails in that profile and Thunderbird IGNORES that and demands that I create a new profile.

Before installing Ubuntu 18.04 I copied the entire contents of my home directory to a backup disk. After installing Ubuntu 18.04 I restored the entire contents of the home directory, including the .thunderbird folder. This folder includes a folder p7sgquu9.default and a profiles.ini which points at that folder. I have many e-mail accounts and fifteen YEARS of accumulated e-mails in that profile and Thunderbird IGNORES that and demands that I create a new profile.

All Replies (3)

Matt
Matt
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

tried using the profile manger to "force" thunderbird to the use the old profile folder as a "new" profile?

think of it as moving it to the right place http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_your_profile_folder_-_Thunderbird

jamescobban
jamescobban Question owner
more options

I am moving from my old laptop running Ubuntu 17.10 and Thunderbird 52.7.0 to a new laptop with Ubuntu 18.04 and Thunderbird 52.7.0 installed. I have copied the entire contents of .thunderbird from the old computer to the new one and the new one still does not see any of the old accounts or old mail. The new system keeps prompting me to define accounts. All of the copied files have the same dates and sizes on the new system as on the old system. Why does the new system not see the existing configuration?

jamescobban
jamescobban Question owner
more options

I wiped out the configuration and copied the .thunderbird folder from another computer. Thunderbird now comes up and provides access to all of the accounts, however the Sent messages folder is missing all messages sent in the last 9 months.