Sounds like you have not done this correctly. The 'profiles.ini' file in new computer has no knowledge of the copied profiles.

The default place to store Thunderbird profile is here and it should be in the same location on both old and new computers.

• C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>\

Make sure Thunderbird is not running.

In backup/ old computer: Do you have the AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird folder? If yes: Copy the 'Thunderbird' folder which will have a copy of your old 'profiles.ini' file.

On new computer: Paste that 'Thunderbird' folder into the 'Roaming' folder overwriting the current Thunderbird folder.

Start Thunderbird.

i was able to copy profile from the old computer. New computer now shows C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\ Profile with profile folder disappeared because i deleted it.

I unistalled Thunderbird on new computer, re-installed. Have the same result - message that profile is missing with C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\ Profile where profile folder is not showing up. Instead, i have all files that normally sit in profile folder , reside in Thunderbird folder.

thank you very much for your respond

re: 'I unistalled Thunderbird on new computer, re-installed. This only unstalls the program, it does not uninstall the folders in the 'Roaming' folder, so Thunderbird still will not work.

re : i have all files that normally sit in profile folder , reside in 'Thunderbird' folder.

Create folder on desktop to use as a temp holding folder called eg: 'TempTB'

• Copy all those files and folders you see in the wrong folder ( which should be in a 'profile name' folder) and paste them into the temp holding folder 'TempTB' on desktop.

• Delete the AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird folder.

• Run Thunderbird

It should create a new Thunderbird folder in 'Roaming' folder and also create a new default profile. Thunderbird will ask if you want to create a mail account.

• Exit Thunderbird now.

Access:

• C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles
• click on 'xxxxxxxx.default' profile folder to open it.

(where x's are letters and numbers)

• open the temp holding folder 'TempTB'.
• Copy all the files and folders.
• Paste them into the 'xxxxxxxx.default' profile folder overwritting all the default files and folders.

Start Thunderbird.