Suggestion: new import feature
I suggest an import feature that allows one to import from one Thunderbird profile to another.
Reason for suggestion: my profile lived on Windows; but I lived (mostly) on Linux (dual boot). The same profile was shared between the two. Upon upgrading (on Windows) to 78, I lost access to my historical email from Linux. I have since installed 78 on Linux; but I can't seem to get the Windows profile to work on the Linux side. (I am NOT asking how to do that). I tied import. But that only works from some other mail client. What would be nice, would be an import from a known Thunderbird profile to a different Thunderbird profile. Then I could just import my Windows profile into my Linux profile. Should not be to hard to code such. In the mean time... I will log onto windows when I need historical email, and continue to receive my new email on Linux. (I have read a number of posts aggravated with a lack of warning of what will happen when one upgrades to 78. I join with them. Some software should have been provided to soften the blow. My import idea may help others too.)
Chosen solution
If I wanted to import another profile, I would start with creating a new one from Help/Troubleshooting, about:profiles, open the new profile folder in the OS file manager (clicking the button in about:profiles), close TB, delete the contents of the new profile folder, then copy the contents of the imported profile folder into the empty new profile folder. Then, launch TB with the imported profile, either from about:profiles or directly with Profile Manager (launching TB from the command line with the -p argument). This would keep the original profile separate from the imported profile.
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The ImportExportTools NG add-on provides options to export and import profiles (see picture). I haven't tested it, but it's worth a try.
One thing that sometimes needs adjustment when transferring profiles between Windows and Linux is the pkcs11.txt file should be deleted to avoid stored passwords not being read.
The ImportExportToolsNG did allow me to import from the Windows profile. In that regard, it did solve my problem. Thus I so marked it: solved. However, I did not understand the software very well, and I ended up with EVERYTHING all in on mailbox... one big flat mailbox. But; that was a lack of understanding on my part. I believe one should build ones new Profile much like the one to be imported then be careful to be in the correct mailbox when importing, and be careful of what one imports. I think I will try again. Delete all the imported stuff, build my Linux 78 profile similar to the Windows historical profile, then begin again importing; but be careful of what I import and where. Perhaps I will have more acceptable results.
Thank you Sfhowes for this information!
BG
Chosen Solution
If I wanted to import another profile, I would start with creating a new one from Help/Troubleshooting, about:profiles, open the new profile folder in the OS file manager (clicking the button in about:profiles), close TB, delete the contents of the new profile folder, then copy the contents of the imported profile folder into the empty new profile folder. Then, launch TB with the imported profile, either from about:profiles or directly with Profile Manager (launching TB from the command line with the -p argument). This would keep the original profile separate from the imported profile.
I followed your directions. THANK YOU. All is well. I will be running two TBirds on Linux for a time. 68 (controlled by Mint's update packaging) and 78 via command line. 78 now contains may historical email (on Linux). 68 will collect new email as it arrives. I'm happy with that. One day the Mint update packaging will step to 78... then I will worry about combining the two. Thank you for your help. BG