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Backing up TB offline emails and contacts to OneDrive

  • 1 reply
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  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

Alanlw
Alanlw
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I use Thunderbird for my emails and have set the accounts up as IMAP. But I also have a lot of local, offline folders which I want to be able to back up to OneDrive, preferably automatically and at least daily. I would also prefer not to have to exit TB to allow any backup to take place. I would also like to back up my contacts in the same, automatic way. Is this possible? If so, how?

OneDrive backup seems only to work easily with Document and Picture folders so not the TB profile folder (correct me if I'm wrong).

Many thanks.

I use Thunderbird for my emails and have set the accounts up as IMAP. But I also have a lot of local, offline folders which I want to be able to back up to OneDrive, preferably automatically and at least daily. I would also prefer not to have to exit TB to allow any backup to take place. I would also like to back up my contacts in the same, automatic way. Is this possible? If so, how? OneDrive backup seems only to work easily with Document and Picture folders so not the TB profile folder (correct me if I'm wrong). Many thanks.

All Replies (1)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Personally, I would always ensure all folders which you want backed up are fully synchronised and set up to download full copies and perform that prior to a backup. I would also advise that you go into offline mode to prevent synchronisation of any folder during a backup.

Menu app icon > File > Offline >Download/Sync now Select 'Mail' and also the option to go auto into offline mode once synchronisation has occured. There is also a 'Select' button so you can check which folders are selected.

I always backup manually after exiting Thunderbird as it is so simple and takes a couple of minutes.

However, there is an addon called 'ImportExportTools NG' which an be used to backup folders or the entire profile whilst Thunderbird is running. But strongly advise you go into Offline mode and do not otherwise use Thunderbird whilst it is being performed. It does not take very long. There is a list of features on the addon webpage.

How to install an addon extension:

To perform a backup of a profile, you would need to enable the 'Menu Bar' - if it is not enabled. Menu app icon > Customise > select 'Menu Bar' Tools > ImportExportTools NG offers the options.

You can perform backup of an mbox file (a folder with or without subfolder) via right click on folder to locate 'ImportExportTools NG' and further options.

Backing up a profile will backup everything. Accounts, Emails, Filters, Address Books etc.

There is also an option to Auto profile backup with schedule on shutdown.

Manual backup of Address Books is via the 'Address Book' select an address book (not 'All Address Books') Tools > Export and choose option eg: LDAP