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Data loss upon exact migration

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by Matt

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I bought a new laptop because the old one died. Now I tried to transfer my TB data into the new computer. I managed to do it BUT... only one of my two MAIN folder data is there.

Last time I needed to do that when my laptop died it worked. Now despite me using the EXACT profile path/name (eg, C:\Users\XXX\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\XXX) in TB's local directory at my new computer only one MAIN folder's data is present.

Does anyone know how to solve this issue?

Thank you!

I bought a new laptop because the old one died. Now I tried to transfer my TB data into the new computer. I managed to do it BUT... only one of my two MAIN folder data is there. Last time I needed to do that when my laptop died it worked. Now despite me using the EXACT profile path/name (eg, C:\Users\XXX\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\XXX) in TB's local directory at my new computer only one MAIN folder's data is present. Does anyone know how to solve this issue? Thank you!

Chosen solution

Hi Matt,

I followed your steps. I didn't work (or only partially). However, I accidentally found the solution to my own problem after I followed your steps but still had the same issue. The reason why only ONE (out of two) main folder's data didn't show up when opening TB was that the folder location in the one that did NOT show was incorrect. Once I corrected it all was well again.

To change folder location I had to go to Thunderbird --> Tools --> Account Settings. There I adjusted, or switched over, to the correct folder pathway (something like C:\Users\XXX\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\XXX). Then it worked fine.

Thank you again for all your help, Matt! I so appreciate it.

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All Replies (6)

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Exact copying is no longer the best approach. The profile per install "feature" has made direct copies problematic to say the least.

The best approach these days is to open the profile folder from more troubleshoot information in the help menu. Just to be sure you have the current folder Thunderbird is using, and paste in the content of the old profile folder, replacing files as needed.

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Hi Matt,

Thank you so much for your reply and information!

By "paste in the content of the old profile folder, replacing files as needed" do you mean follow the steps outlined in this video ([https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/.../moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer]) or is there are different procedure?

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NO I mean copy and paste the files in the profile folder over the new ones in the new profile folder (including the sub folder. You should get lots of replace requests, but that really says your pasting the files where they need to be.

Previously you just copied the %appdata%\Thunderbird folder.

Now you need to drill down to the actual profile folder contents and copy those

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Thanks Matt!

Yes, that is exactly what I did PREVIOUSLY.

It will take me a good couple of days to try this procedure (due to other commitments). I'll report back on how it went.

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Chosen Solution

Hi Matt,

I followed your steps. I didn't work (or only partially). However, I accidentally found the solution to my own problem after I followed your steps but still had the same issue. The reason why only ONE (out of two) main folder's data didn't show up when opening TB was that the folder location in the one that did NOT show was incorrect. Once I corrected it all was well again.

To change folder location I had to go to Thunderbird --> Tools --> Account Settings. There I adjusted, or switched over, to the correct folder pathway (something like C:\Users\XXX\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\XXX). Then it worked fine.

Thank you again for all your help, Matt! I so appreciate it.

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How I with they would remove that option. All it ever seems to do is cause issues like this. Personally I can not envisage a reasons the vast majority of folk would want one of their account storing mail off in some other odd location. What they commonly are trying to do is move all their mail off the tiny system SSD drive and they setting is actual not much good for that either.