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.

can't back up thunderbird with mozbackup

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by christ1

Joel H.
Joel H.
more options

Running thunderbird 52.9.1 (32bit) with mozbackup 1.5.1 under windows xp. Used mozbackup to backup emails with no problem. Latest attempt to backup had the following error message: backup's file isn't valid; back has failed. Have not downloaded a virus (to my knowledge) or made any major changes to my system, e.g., new downloads etc. Any suggestions as to how to get mozbackup to work properly would be greatly appreciated. Not sure where to find answers that may be posted so pls cc jobby@att.net. Thanks!

Running thunderbird 52.9.1 (32bit) with mozbackup 1.5.1 under windows xp. Used mozbackup to backup emails with no problem. Latest attempt to backup had the following error message: backup's file isn't valid; back has failed. Have not downloaded a virus (to my knowledge) or made any major changes to my system, e.g., new downloads etc. Any suggestions as to how to get mozbackup to work properly would be greatly appreciated. Not sure where to find answers that may be posted so pls cc jobby@att.net. Thanks!

All Replies (5)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Mozbackup is no longer being developed and has no update since 2012. mozbackup 1.5.1 was released in 2011, that was 8 and a half years ago. On Mozbackup website it says : MozBackup is not being developed anymore. There are known issues and there is no time on my side to fix all issues and develop new features. Use MozBackup only on your risk.

Forget mozbackup and perform a manual copy paste of the 'Thunderbird' folder in this location on XP PC:

  • C:\Documents and Settings\<Windows user name>\Application Data\Thunderbird\

Note: The Application Data folder is a hidden folder; to show hidden folders, open Windows Explorer and choose "Tools → Folder Options → View (tab) → Show hidden files and folders".

Paul Walker
Paul Walker
more options

With my version TBird (68+) even with cancelling it TBird Mozbackup thinks it's running I can't move a shortcut to TBird combo ether

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

It's recommended to backup the entire Thunderbird profile on a regular basis. https://support.mozilla.org/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data#w_backing-up-a-profile

Beyond MozBackup, Win XP, and TB52 are unsupported as well.

Paul Walker
Paul Walker
more options

I've got the latest version & christ1 said

It's recommended to backup the entire Thunderbird profile on a regular basis. https://support.mozilla.org/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data#w_backing-up-a-profile Beyond MozBackup, Win XP, and TB52 are unsupported as well.

Nevertheless my copy (latest version) stays active even when I try to close it so Mozbackup or any other backup won't work. Using Win 10 64

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

Paul Walker,

please start a new topic for your problem. https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new