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Local Folders missing

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 12 views
  • Last reply by Kelly

Kelly
Kelly
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Older Dell xps 8920 win 10 stopped working. Hard drive pulled and is intact - no data damage. New XPS 8940 SE on win 11 Pro and latest version91.6.0 (64bit) tbird.

Realize I didn't cleanly get all my files and settings. I set up on the new computer using 2nd hd (D:) to save space on the smaller C: OS drive. Don't think that's the issue...it is mostly op error in my case.

Everything is working after some account setup on the new computer except don't know how to get my LOCAL FOLDER files that I used to archive past emails for my 3 email accounts. This is important for me to ecover if at all possible.

The files are on the old hard drive now in a USB enclosure and accessible through my new desktop. After reading several past ways to do this, I'm still confused about which files to copy and steps needed to paste the files into the new profile on new computer.

Any tips, help, steps, ideas greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Kelly E. McClelland

Older Dell xps 8920 win 10 stopped working. Hard drive pulled and is intact - no data damage. New XPS 8940 SE on win 11 Pro and latest version91.6.0 (64bit) tbird. Realize I didn't cleanly get all my files and settings. I set up on the new computer using 2nd hd (D:) to save space on the smaller C: OS drive. Don't think that's the issue...it is mostly op error in my case. Everything is working after some account setup on the new computer except don't know how to get my LOCAL FOLDER files that I used to archive past emails for my 3 email accounts. This is important for me to ecover if at all possible. The files are on the old hard drive now in a USB enclosure and accessible through my new desktop. After reading several past ways to do this, I'm still confused about which files to copy and steps needed to paste the files into the new profile on new computer. Any tips, help, steps, ideas greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Kelly E. McClelland

All Replies (4)

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
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On the old drive, open the profile folder in .../AppData/Roaming/Thunderbird/Profiles/xxxxxxxx.profilename.

Open the Mail/Local Folders subfolder, Mail/<popservername> and any sbd subdirectories. Find the mbox files - the large files with no extension, named after folders, e.g. Inbox, Sent etc. Copy the mbox files into the Mail/Local Folders location of the active profile, while TB is closed, then restart TB and see the folders under Local Folders in the Folder Pane.

Kelly
Kelly Question owner
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sfhowes You are a fast reply! Thank you and blessings.

I'm on IMAP and NOT POP so assume the path is still under MAIL/Local Folders. But when I look, I am unclear about which are mbox files. I have a string of them as I have moved each year's mail from several accounts into them each year for 10+ years. (HUGE in some cases.)

Will attach screenshots of what I see and can you or someone help me by pointing out the mbox files I need to copy and move to new profile?

Special thanks!

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
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The mbox files are ones like 1 Coach Training, 1 Transition Time Coach, Amateur Radio etc. Look also in the .sbd folders for others. Don't copy the .msf files, as they will be rebuilt when TB restarts in the active profile.

Kelly
Kelly Question owner
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OK, I need to step away for a bit, but your answer makes sense. I didn't want to jump in and mess things up, but this makes sense. I found all the ones I thought were missing too. Guess I didn't understand what the .sbd files contained. I see all my old gmail and transitiontime files all the way back to 2010. Woohoo!

Will post again to let you know how it worked out! Great and timely help. No wonder you're a Top 10 Contributor!

Blessings, Kelly