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Can't use old Profile in new installation

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  • Last reply by Matt

Enargins
Enargins
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I just reinstalled Windows and Thunderbird, and am trying to use my previous profile and files. My files were previously stored in c:\Thunderbird, rather than the default location.

With TB closed, I opened the Profile Manager, clicked Create Profile, changed the location to c:\Thunderbird, and then click Create Profile. I left it set as the default profile.

However, when I open Thunderbird, I'm at the startup screen, where it's asking me to enter my email address. None of my files are visible.

I then deleted the profile (but left the files intact), and used the default profile. When I entered Thunderbird, I clicked Import, then Import from another Thunderbird installation, then Choose a profile folder, and then I selected c:\Thunderbird. I left all boxes under "What to import" checked, and clicked Continue and then Start Import.

Got a message: "Import failed unexpectedly, more infomration may be available in the error console."

I then tried it again, leaving only "Accounts and settings" checked. Same message.

Going into the error console, the message is this: "Uncaught (in promise) DOMException: Could not open the file at C:\Thunderbird\prefs.js".

I then went into C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\ and deleted the Thunderbird folder and tried the import again, as well as the creating of the profile again. Same results.

Any ideas about what I could do?

Thanks!

I just reinstalled Windows and Thunderbird, and am trying to use my previous profile and files. My files were previously stored in c:\Thunderbird, rather than the default location. With TB closed, I opened the Profile Manager, clicked Create Profile, changed the location to c:\Thunderbird, and then click Create Profile. I left it set as the default profile. However, when I open Thunderbird, I'm at the startup screen, where it's asking me to enter my email address. None of my files are visible. I then deleted the profile (but left the files intact), and used the default profile. When I entered Thunderbird, I clicked Import, then Import from another Thunderbird installation, then Choose a profile folder, and then I selected c:\Thunderbird. I left all boxes under "What to import" checked, and clicked Continue and then Start Import. Got a message: "Import failed unexpectedly, more infomration may be available in the error console." I then tried it again, leaving only "Accounts and settings" checked. Same message. Going into the error console, the message is this: "Uncaught (in promise) DOMException: Could not open the file at C:\Thunderbird\prefs.js". I then went into C:\Users\{username}\AppData\Roaming\ and deleted the Thunderbird folder and tried the import again, as well as the creating of the profile again. Same results. Any ideas about what I could do? Thanks!

All Replies (1)

Matt
Matt
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You do realize I hope that there are significant security issues with using C:\Thunderbird as a location to store a profile, not the least of which is the need for administrator privileges to open the storage location. If you were using a D: drive that would not be the case. Fundamentally all root of C: folders are protected by windows UAC and make really poor storage locations on Windows devices.

You can not get away from having files and folders in %appdata%\Roaming\Thunderbird. Deleting what is there will ensure Thunderbird can not keep track of where it's profile is stored.

When you create a profile, give it a meaningful name. I at least get confused with the default, default release and assorted other Default profile names. (A profiles folder with 6 default profiles offers no clue as to which it is you are trying to play with.

While I have suggested the profile import from the tools menu, I have recently been made aware of a bug which results in no passwords being imported. A rather pointless exercise from my view as that is one of the reasons I have a mail client, to remember my passwords.

Generally speaking, I do suggest using the About:profiles from the help menu > troubleshooting information, instead of the profile manager. It has some quirks, like making any profile you create the default. It allows you to launch a selected profile in a new Thunderbird window, which it unhelpfully called a browser. It makes sorting out which of those folders with profiles in them are which. You can make the one you have "located" the default for the next Thunderbird launch from there as well.