instructions to migrate Thunderbird to new machine not accurate
I am trying to migrate from one PC to another, Thunderbird-to-Thunderbird. I found a migration article and followed the instructions: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer#:~:text=Go%20to%20the%20drive%20you,Thunderbird%20folder%2C%20and%20select%20Copy%20. Unfortunately, the Thunderbird file organization on the new machine is slightly different from the old machine, even though both have T-bird 68 latest release loaded. I tried a "hack" of copying my profile file to the same folder by name -- "Profile" -- on the new machine. That failed, too. On the new machine, the path is: C: >Users >Me >AppData >Roaming >Thunderbird >Profiles , then there is a file #########.default-release, which seems to be necessary for T-bird to open at all. When I deleted it, T-Bird would not open. I tried saving my profilename.default to the same location.
Help!
All Replies (6)
I tried saving my profilename.default to the same location.
That doesn't work. You'll have to tell Thunderbird about the new profile. Follow the instructions in the article 'Use the Profile Manager to move your profile' to point Thunderbird to the new profile. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_your_profile_folder_-_Thunderbird#Use_the_Profile_Manager_to_move_your_profile
Basic idea is that the settings and paths from old computer must be exactly the same as the ones in the new computer if you wish to import old profile to a new computer. What this means: -the path to profile to be the same on old computer as on the new computer -> if on old computer profile folder was on D:\ instead of C:\ or vice-versa then it will not work. -the username so then the path to "appdata" should be the same - if that old computer had user "x" but on new profile the user is "y" it will not work to just "move" the profile files on new computer because path to user x is c:\users\x\appdata - and path to user y is c:\users\x\appdata -the path to emails storage folder should be exactly the same -> if on old computer you had them saved on E:\ or H:\ then also on the new computer should be the same
All these paths are saved on prefs.js file - you might try to search and replace to match the paths for the new computer. Depending on what add-ons and other old settings you had on the old profile getting all these done (corrected paths) might still create you some issues which will need individual debugging...
Modified by svlad2009
Thanks for the helpful responses. So the easy copy from one machine to the next doesn't apply, because the current download is now v78 and the "current" version on the old machine is v68, and those pathways are different? Oy.
I will try using the Profile Manager method.
Although after several fruitless hours on this yesterday, this morning I set up Outlook365 in about 5 minutes and at least the inbox looks easy.
What I really like about Thunderbird is its powerful search function (yes, I'm an email pack rat), even though the calendar extension basically stinks in terms of integration with Google Calendar.
V78 support Google calendar - add-on provider calendar...
@tom203
if you haven't managed to get yourself sorted yet, download this utility (MozBackup 1.5.2 beta) and follow the instructions on this site here: https://appuals.com/transfer-thunderbird-to-a-new-computer/
I've been struggling for the last two days with the same issue (from WIN7 to WIN10) and inside of 15minutes, I was done and back up and running
@tom203
if you haven't managed to get yourself sorted yet, download this utility (MozBackup 1.5.2 beta) and follow the instructions on this site here: https://appuals.com/transfer-thunderbird-to-a-new-computer/
I've been struggling for the last two days with the same issue (from WIN7 to WIN10) and inside of 15minutes, I was done and back up and running