I need to reinstall TB on new computer running Windows7, but my old Inbox data as well as "weird" local folders still there after a TOTAL uninstall
Original problem occured when trying to install TB on a new Windows 7 computer and copy my older TB files from another Windows 7 computer. New computer: after new TB install my inbox data came in but not my many, many local folders. After 3 days of trying to uninstall & reinstall TB, following numerous YouTube videos on how to obtain the "Profile" data, etc I am lost, nothing works...Now- after uninstalling TB using TOTAL UNISTALL program & then going into drive C & Drive D to delete any trance of TB, I try to install a fresh copy of TB to try to start over but when I "launch" TB at the prompt at the end of install, all the old messed up "In Box" & incorrect "local folders" (files with names of my programs) are still there...I can't seem to be able to get a fresh clean TB installed. Help! If that problem gets solved, how do I get an exact copy of my email data from my old computer, especially all the "Local Folders"? Is there a YouTube video that is correct? I used iYogi which was clear (I copied my Profile data to a flash drive which was a string of letters and numbers.default) but it did not bring in any of the local folders. I am nowhere - really frustrated. I need step by step instructions please.
All Replies (7)
If there is nothing in the current profile that is of value. Do the following
- Ensure Thunderbird is closed
- in the start menu type %appdata% and press enter.
- Replace the Thunderbird folder and ALL of it's sub folders with those from your backup.
- Start Thunderbird and you will have your backup as a replacement profile.
Note this part well. Windows has a habit of only copying the root folder, not the sub folders. Perhaps your issue is you have not copied you local folders yet.
Hi Matt - I did use the files from the %appdata% routine.
- 3. Where do I find & replace the TB folder with the backup folder? I did this in the "Help", then Troubleshooting..." then "Basic...Browse...tab" .Closed TB & pasting the copied files...I did this at least 20 times!
Question: 1.How can I install a clean download of TB, or, delete all the "junk" that is currently in there from repeated attempts to copy files and folders. 2. If I am successful in getting a clean install & root (Inbox) folder, then how do I copy local folders? 3. Has anyone been able to copy the whole data in one go?
point 3 delete the Thunderbird folder.
Hi Matt - I did delete the TB folder - I deleted all the TB folders and any trace of TB I could fine in Drive C & Drive D. After deleting any trace of TB, when I do a fresh download and install of TB, it still finds this folder of the root Inbox. This file comes in automatically when I start TB (supposedly a fresh new install) I am really stumped. I appreciate any help you or anyone else on this forum can provide. Thank you!
No my guess is you used windows search to find your traces... and it specifically does not look in %appdata% Have you actually gone there and deleted the Thunderbird folder, which I am sure is still there.
Modified by Matt
Hi Matt - Yes - I went to %appdata%. I used a program called "Total Uninstall 6" which analyses the drives for TB - it should have found all traces. Then I also went directly to Drive C & Drive D and if there was a folder called Thunderbird - I deleted it. I am stumped as to where the old Inbox & bad folders are coming from in a fresh download of TB.
It is possible that Windows Local folder may have cached files and they are causing an issue.
Close thunderbird.
Locate:
- C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Local \Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>\
Delete all the 'profile names' - usually called eg: xxxxxxxx.default where the x's are letters and numbers. They will be created afresh when you start Thunderbird.
In:
- C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>\
The 'Profile name' should be a copy of your backup 'profile name'. you could just manually access this on old computer, copy file to external device and then paste it into the new computer in same location. eg: 'xxxxxxxx.default' where the x's are letters and numbers
In the AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird folder, there should be a 'profiles.ini' file. Open using notepad and check the data points to the 'Profile name': Expect to see: [General] StartWithLastProfile=1
[Profile0] Name=default IsRelative=1 Path=Profiles/xxxxxxxx.default
If you need to alter the profile name, then save the file.
Start thunderbird.
Modified by Toad-Hall