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How to Export Thunderbird 45.8.0 Email with Subfolders Intact and Import Them Into Thunderbird 68.3.0

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  • Last reply by Bart

Bart
Bart
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I am currently running Thunderbird 45.8.0. I want to export email with folders and subfolders intact and import them into a new computer running Catalina and Thunderbird 68.3.0. As a TEST I selected the Inbox in Thunderbird 45.8.0 and used the "ImportExport Tool and selected "Export folders With subfolders (with structure)". This resulted in two files Inbox (0 KB) and Inbox.sbd (1GB).

Then I tried selecting all the email folders and used the "ImportExport Tool and selected "Export folder" which resulted in a file for each folder (I didn't see the subfolders as files). The total size of these files were only 847.8 MB. So I figured something is missing and I did something wrong.

What's the easiest way to export email with folders a subfolder intact from one computer running Thunderbird 45.8.0. and import them into a new computer running Catalina and Thunderbird 68.3.0

I am currently running Thunderbird 45.8.0. I want to export email with folders and subfolders intact and import them into a new computer running Catalina and Thunderbird 68.3.0. As a TEST I selected the Inbox in Thunderbird 45.8.0 and used the "ImportExport Tool and selected "Export folders With subfolders (with structure)". This resulted in two files Inbox (0 KB) and Inbox.sbd (1GB). Then I tried selecting all the email folders and used the "ImportExport Tool and selected "Export folder" which resulted in a file for each folder (I didn't see the subfolders as files). The total size of these files were only 847.8 MB. So I figured something is missing and I did something wrong. What's the easiest way to export email with folders a subfolder intact from one computer running Thunderbird 45.8.0. and import them into a new computer running Catalina and Thunderbird 68.3.0

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Bart
Bart Question owner
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After going through a group of messages, I found the solution to my question. I believe these are easier instructions then the ones referenced below:

Thunderbird should not be running.

To copy your Thunderbird email:

1. Select your user folder in finder. 2. Select the Library folder. 3. Select and copy the folder "Thunderbird" on a thumb drive or external drive.

To move the email to another computer:

1. Go to the user folder in finder 2. Select the Library folder. 3. Verify that you can see the "Thunderbird" folder. 3. Copy and replace that Thunderbird folder with the one you copied on a thumb drive or external drive.

Here is a link to the original instructions: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1245750