How to Restore a Mozilla Thunderbird Profile from a Backup Copy
My system files have been corrupted and I can not do a restore from a restore point (System restore failed). No remedy has been found. I will either have to (1) do a factory reset/restore or (2) restore to a prior date from a system image. In either event I will have to restore my Thunderbird Profile which contains several calendar .ics files as well as events and tasks. The Profile, the ..default file and even the calendar ics files are backed up.
First, once my computer is all restored can't I just go to appdata/thunderbird and delete the old Profile and copy my back up back in?
Second, this is also confusing because, while in my Thunderbird Calendar, I regularly “export” my several different calendar .ics files to a back up directory. This implies I must use the “import” functions to put them back in. This is confusing as Import & Export seem to be terms of art that are not the same as “copy”. Is this a distinction with arty difference? Must I import each calendar .ics file back into TBird while it’s running or can I simply copy it all back in when I copy in the *.default folder?
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moving to the Thunderbird questions queue
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These can't get your data back, but will help in the future.
These add-ons can be a great help by backing up and restoring Firefox
FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) {web link} FEBE allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions, history, passwords, and more. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up -- It will actually rebuild your saved files individually into installable .xpi files. It will also make backup of files that you choose.
OPIE {web link} Import/Export extension preferences
Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.
You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:
- Microsoft Safety Scanner
- MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware
- Anti-Rootkit Utility - TDSSKiller
- AdwCleaner (for more info, see this alternate AdwCleaner download page)
- Hitman Pro
- ESET Online Scanner
Microsoft Security Essentials is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.
Further information can be found in the Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware article.
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Here is a Bing search. Lots of good links. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restore%20Thunderbird%20
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moving to the Thunderbird questions queue
What on earth doe that mean? Is this supposed to communicate something? This is a "solution"? Don't have a clue what this means.
This seems totally irrelevant to my query.
Please. Thanks for the google search but someone comes here seeking the for the needles it's not helpful to throw them a haystack.
This might be a response to somebody's question but its not relevant to the issue I represented.
Thanks but the LAST thing I want are "lots of good links"
Please read and only respond to the issue. As I wrote, we have tried all these things. None work. Anti-virus was turned off. As I said, I have been here and done all this. That is not the issue. Please read the issue and stay with this problem. Please stay focused on this issue: restoring my Thunderbird Profile and calendars from a back up. I just want simple instructions and not a slew of links or irrelevant answers to questions not asked.
When I restore my entire computer to a past date from a Windows Image backup I will have old calendars etc since all the data will be from a prior date. All I want to do is replace (import or copy in) the new data over the old.
What on earth does any of this have to do with restoring my Thunderbird profile data?
We have tried Malware bytes etc and can spend day after day tinkering with more downloads. Rune this do that.. I do not want to make a career out of this. The value of the time spent in this litany far exceeds the costs of a new computer so why even bother? ALL I wrote to ask is how to restore the profile from back up. I do not5 want to run down a rabbit hole.
Please everyone. Not one response is relevant to the questions presented and if they are they just send me into a haystack for the needle I came here to find. I too can google the question and get lot's of very different links – often very contradictory. That is precisely what I came here to avoid. I do not want add ons, I do not want to download and run programs, I do not want tips and hints for further reference. If I want to know something else I'll ask. I do not want to run down rabbit holes, I do not want to make a career out of this. Please stay relevant. Please stay on purpose. Questions:
First, once my computer is all restored from a Window Image back up can't I just go to appdata/thunderbird and delete the old Profile and copy my back up back in?
Second, directions are confusing because in Thunderbird Calendar we “export” different calendar .ics files to a back up directory. This implies we must use the “import” function to put them back in. This is confusing as Import & Export seem to be terms of art that are not the same as “copy”. Is this a distinction with a real difference? Must I import each calendar .ics file back into TBird while it’s running or can I simply copy it all back in when I copy in the *.default folder when it is not running?
Please do not provide responses not directly related to this questions for that is not at all helpful and only wastes everyone time.