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How to move a local directory and all subdirectories from old computer to new computer that has been running Thunderbird for 6+ months?

  • 3 replies
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  • Last reply by Zenos

Thunder17
Thunder17
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I have laptop that has been running Thunderbird for 6 + months. I want to copy a folder and all of its sub-folders and messages from an old desktop's Thunderbird (both running same current version) to be an additional folder (with all of its contents) under the Local\personal folder on the newer laptop.

I have copied the folder to the appropriate location in the laptop's profile BUT it doesn't show up when I start up Thunderbird.

What am I doing wrong?

I have laptop that has been running Thunderbird for 6 + months. I want to copy a folder and all of its sub-folders and messages from an old desktop's Thunderbird (both running same current version) to be an additional folder (with all of its contents) under the Local\personal folder on the newer laptop. I have copied the folder to the appropriate location in the laptop's profile BUT it doesn't show up when I start up Thunderbird. What am I doing wrong?

All Replies (3)

Zenos
Zenos
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It is possible, with experience, to identify the appropriate files/folders in your profile and the appropriate location in the new profile to move them to.

However I'd suggest the ImportExportTools addon since you can select the required folder by name without having to get to grips with the multiple files that may be associated with it.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/?src=hp-dl-mostpopular

Thunder17
Thunder17 Question owner
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I have multilevel folders/directories in a tree with email contents on new laptop under Local/Personal in Thunderbird. I want to create one additional folder/directory under Personal named something like "Old Desktop" and copy all the old multilevel folders/directories to start at that level and maintain the same tree structure and contents under that point..

I did copy what I thought was the appropriate folder from the old profile to the location I wanted under the new profile, they didn't show up when I started up Thunderbird.

I also copied those old folders and structure to a flash drive and then used Import to try to put them in the directory I wanted but it took ALL the multi level directories in the tree and put them on a SINGLE level with no tree and even renamed most or a lot of them, which made a total mess.

I did not see any option to get Import to retain the folder/directory tree structure and keep the same names from the one folder I want that the start at during the Import.

Is there some option I am overlooking??

Is there a simpler way to just use explorer and copy the old tree and contents to the "Old laptop" directory in the new profile?

Thanks!! Seems like either way should be fairly simple but is giving me frustrating results.

Zenos
Zenos
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I suggest you create a new subfolder in Local Folders for your imported messages, then close Thunderbird, locate its profile and study that until you understand how your new folder fits into the storage hierarchy. You will have a folder with an sbd extension. Put your files/folders into that.

Do NOT attempt to paste your folders into an IMAP based account. Thunderbird will simply delete them because they don't correspond with anything on the server.

It is still easier, IMHO, to learn how to use the addon properly.