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.

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

I have my old emails folder copied in a pendrive. I have tried to import them in Thunderbird, I can see the folders but not the emails-

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by javiba

more options

I have my old emails folder copied in a pendrive. I have tried to import them in Thunderbird, I can see the folders but not the emails- I've read that if I drop. In the screenshot you can see the layout but not the emails.

I have my old emails folder copied in a pendrive. I have tried to import them in Thunderbird, I can see the folders but not the emails- I've read that if I drop. In the screenshot you can see the layout but not the emails.
Attached screenshots

Chosen solution

christ1 said

I did use the Import tool in the app,

ImportExportTools is an extension you installed, it does not ship with Thunderbird.

I don't recall to add and extension to import the files, I've searched the Thunderbird database to find one recently, but didn't find any.

I've imported it to local folders in .msf format.

.msf files are index files and you should not import them. You want to import the mbox file(s). Those are the ones without a file extension.


Thunderbird imported the content of the pendrive,

Having to guess again - is F: the pendrive you're importing from? Then you're importing one pretty large file (1.3 GB).

Yes, it's a very large folder. </blockquote>

I can see the folders but not the content.

Please post a screenshot.

I have red in a forum before doing this that if I copy the folder where the messages are, then i be restored just by dropping the folder in the local message folder.

I don't understand what you're talking about. If you're referring to something you read, please post a link. Note, terminology matters.

What is your anti-virus software? Anti-virus software is often causing corruption by messing with Thunderbird mail files. It is therefore recommended to create an exception for the Thunderbird profile folder, so that the real-time scanner won't attempt to scan the profile with your mail.


</blockquote> I've read that ina forum last year, I don't remember when or where, that's why I have this backup copy. Sorry if I'm not that techie, I do my best. I've begun to import the files as you've said, now I'm seeing some of them, I will continue with this. Thanks a lot

</blockquote>

</blockquote> For more information on the profile location see http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Thunderbird </blockquote>

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (6)

more options

You cannot import message into an IMAP folder. The server will delete those messages right away. Import into your 'Local Folders' account instead.

more options

'Thanks @christ1 for your reply, but how can I do it?

more options

You said you did import folders into Thunderbird. You did not explain what exactly you did. Doing that would probably be a good start. Also what exactly you have on the pendrive, and in which format.

more options

Hello @christ1

I did use the Import tool in the app, as shown in the image attached. I've imported it to local folders in .msf format. In fact, Thunderbird imported the content of the pendrive, I can see the folders but not the content.

I have red in a forum before doing this that if I copy the folder where the messages are, then i be restored just by dropping the folder in the local message folder.

Modified by javiba

more options
I did use the Import tool in the app,

ImportExportTools is an extension you installed, it does not ship with Thunderbird.

I've imported it to local folders in .msf format.

.msf files are index files and you should not import them. You want to import the mbox file(s). Those are the ones without a file extension.

Thunderbird imported the content of the pendrive,

Having to guess again - is F: the pendrive you're importing from? Then you're importing one pretty large file (1.3 GB).

I can see the folders but not the content.

Please post a screenshot.

I have red in a forum before doing this that if I copy the folder where the messages are, then i be restored just by dropping the folder in the local message folder.

I don't understand what you're talking about. If you're referring to something you read, please post a link. Note, terminology matters.

What is your anti-virus software? Anti-virus software is often causing corruption by messing with Thunderbird mail files. It is therefore recommended to create an exception for the Thunderbird profile folder, so that the real-time scanner won't attempt to scan the profile with your mail.

For more information on the profile location see http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Thunderbird

more options

Chosen Solution

christ1 said

I did use the Import tool in the app,

ImportExportTools is an extension you installed, it does not ship with Thunderbird.

I don't recall to add and extension to import the files, I've searched the Thunderbird database to find one recently, but didn't find any.

I've imported it to local folders in .msf format.

.msf files are index files and you should not import them. You want to import the mbox file(s). Those are the ones without a file extension.


Thunderbird imported the content of the pendrive,

Having to guess again - is F: the pendrive you're importing from? Then you're importing one pretty large file (1.3 GB).

Yes, it's a very large folder. </blockquote>

I can see the folders but not the content.

Please post a screenshot.

I have red in a forum before doing this that if I copy the folder where the messages are, then i be restored just by dropping the folder in the local message folder.

I don't understand what you're talking about. If you're referring to something you read, please post a link. Note, terminology matters.

What is your anti-virus software? Anti-virus software is often causing corruption by messing with Thunderbird mail files. It is therefore recommended to create an exception for the Thunderbird profile folder, so that the real-time scanner won't attempt to scan the profile with your mail.


</blockquote> I've read that ina forum last year, I don't remember when or where, that's why I have this backup copy. Sorry if I'm not that techie, I do my best. I've begun to import the files as you've said, now I'm seeing some of them, I will continue with this. Thanks a lot

</blockquote>

</blockquote> For more information on the profile location see http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Thunderbird </blockquote>