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.

When I update Thunderbird to a new version, will all my emails and settings automatically be transferred to the new version?

  • 1 reply
  • 2 have this problem
  • 17 views
  • Last reply by Zenos

cds10
cds10
more options

I am using an old version of Thunderbird and want to update to a newer version. Will my old emails and settings be transferred to the new version?

Also, if I somehow lost all my emails, would I be able to retrieve them on a new computer after I install Thunderbird? Thank you for your help.

I am using an old version of Thunderbird and want to update to a newer version. Will my old emails and settings be transferred to the new version? Also, if I somehow lost all my emails, would I be able to retrieve them on a new computer after I install Thunderbird? Thank you for your help.

Chosen solution

Back up your profile.

Install the new version. It should pick up your existing profile and work with it. In anything doesn't work out, you can re-install the older version of Thunderbird and restore the profile from your backup.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data

For your second question, that depends on where your messages are stored and how you managed to "lose" them.

If your accounts use POP, or if you store messages in Local Folders, then you are reliant on your own local backups.

If your messages are stored using IMAP then they will be on remote servers, and should just re-appear in a new installation of Thunderbird, UNLESS you did something to delete them all. If you delete them in Thunderbird, in an IMAP-connected account they would also be dleted from the server.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (1)

Zenos
Zenos
more options

Chosen Solution

Back up your profile.

Install the new version. It should pick up your existing profile and work with it. In anything doesn't work out, you can re-install the older version of Thunderbird and restore the profile from your backup.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data

For your second question, that depends on where your messages are stored and how you managed to "lose" them.

If your accounts use POP, or if you store messages in Local Folders, then you are reliant on your own local backups.

If your messages are stored using IMAP then they will be on remote servers, and should just re-appear in a new installation of Thunderbird, UNLESS you did something to delete them all. If you delete them in Thunderbird, in an IMAP-connected account they would also be dleted from the server.