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Importing Thunderbird profile to new PC doesn't work

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Hello all, I recently ran into problems with my old PC, so I decided to backup all of Thunderbirds data, including the profile I used for everything including mail. When I installed a new copy of Thunderbird on my new computer, it automatically creates a new profile. I tried to copy and paste my profile from my old computer into the new default profile. If I then start up Thunderbird again, it states that a new profile will be created and thus creates yet again a new profile, and I never get my old mail back. I tried also to create a new profile, but everytime when I start Thunderbird, it creates a new profile and I never get to my old profile with all the stored mail. What am I missing? Can anyone help? Thanks in advance. Charles

Hello all, I recently ran into problems with my old PC, so I decided to backup all of Thunderbirds data, including the profile I used for everything including mail. When I installed a new copy of Thunderbird on my new computer, it automatically creates a new profile. I tried to copy and paste my profile from my old computer into the new default profile. If I then start up Thunderbird again, it states that a new profile will be created and thus creates yet again a new profile, and I never get my old mail back. I tried also to create a new profile, but everytime when I start Thunderbird, it creates a new profile and I never get to my old profile with all the stored mail. What am I missing? Can anyone help? Thanks in advance. Charles

Chosen solution

Start Profile Manager from Windowskey+R, thunderbird.exe -p --allow-downgrade

and choose the u494... profile.

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All Replies (6)

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Hello, thanks for your suggestion. For soem reason I don't get it to work. Everytime I start Thunderbird it give the pop up below (it's in Dutch) but it starts out by saying 'A newer version of Thunderbird has possibly made changes in your profile, etc, etc). When I click 'create new profile'it automatically creates a new profile. When I start Profile Manager (with Thunderbird being closed) I get to choose a profile and then start Thunderbird, but again it comes up with the message as shown in first image. By doing so I now created several profiles (image 2). The profile I need is the one starting with u494... How do I get to this profile so that it also loads all my old mai. Please advise. I would really appreciate it! Thanks, Charles

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Chosen Solution

Start Profile Manager from Windowskey+R, thunderbird.exe -p --allow-downgrade

and choose the u494... profile.

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Thanks! What do you mean 'allow to downgrade'? Following you instructions I get the following pop-up (image 3)...what's next? I appreciate your input.

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Hello again, OK it's clear now I needed to include the complete line thunderbird.exe -p --allow-downgrade. When I do this I get pop-up (image 5). Should I completely uninstall Thunderbird? Which version should I download? I Run Windows 10 (32 bit). I've saved my profile on a separate drive just to be sure.

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SOLVED!!!!!! Thanks for your help..awesome. I just need to leave out the " at beginning and end. I then opened Thunderbird > Help > Problem Solving > Profiles > About Profiles. Took a look at which Profile belonged to the u494. I then renamed this to MyNew Profile and started Thunderbird.........et voila there was all my mail. Again thanks for the help!!!