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Worried the new version of Thunderbird, if installed, will mean the loss of saved email and contacts

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  • Last reply by Wayne Mery

JimInKy
JimInKy
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Dear Fellow Thunderbird Users,

A few days back, Thunderbird urged me to update the version in use. I attempted to do so but received a message that said "Thunderbird can't update to the latest version. Download a fresh copy of Thunderbird and we'll help you to install it."

I downloaded the new new version but hesitated to install it. Here's why: I've kept every email sent and received (with the exception of spam) since I began personal computing in 1995. Thunderbird became my email client of choice quite a few years ago and all email that passed in and out of Thunderbird is saved.

I fear installing the new version of Thunderbird may cause me to lose years of saved email and my collection of addresses/contacts. (I'm always exporting my addresses as a way of backing them up.)

My question; Will the new version of Thunderbird automatically retain the email files and email addresses from the version presently in use?

Any guidance is most appreciated.

Sincerely, JimInKentucky jiminlexky@yahoo.com

Dear Fellow Thunderbird Users, A few days back, Thunderbird urged me to update the version in use. I attempted to do so but received a message that said "Thunderbird can't update to the latest version. Download a fresh copy of Thunderbird and we'll help you to install it." I downloaded the new new version but hesitated to install it. Here's why: I've kept every email sent and received (with the exception of spam) since I began personal computing in 1995. Thunderbird became my email client of choice quite a few years ago and all email that passed in and out of Thunderbird is saved. I fear installing the new version of Thunderbird may cause me to lose years of saved email and my collection of addresses/contacts. (I'm always exporting my addresses as a way of backing them up.) My question; Will the new version of Thunderbird automatically retain the email files and email addresses from the version presently in use? Any guidance is most appreciated. Sincerely, JimInKentucky jiminlexky@yahoo.com

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Wayne Mery
Wayne Mery
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Step 1 https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data#w_backing-up-a-profile dis describes how to backup your profile. Do this first.

Then do the install as suggested