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how to backup and restore multiple profiles

  • 24 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

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I understand how to backup and restore thunderbird..But when I do restore my account with multiple profiles it shows it one time only when I close the program and reopen ony one profile will show with information

I understand how to backup and restore thunderbird..But when I do restore my account with multiple profiles it shows it one time only when I close the program and reopen ony one profile will show with information

All Replies (4)

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Yes..I just don't understand..after I copy the backup the first time I open thunderbird..it works..then when I close it and reopen only one email profile and emails are there..why wouldn't the program not save it ?

This is my problem..I understand how the program works and how to copy..buy the above happens when I backup to another pc

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I still have no idea what settings you are using.

re :after I copy the backup the first time I open thunderbird..it works. What do you mean by 'it works' ? Just seeing the folders and emails is not what I'm talking about. Have you Subscribed again to see all folders? Are you able to download new messages ? Have you used those email accounts to send emails and are those emails appearing in other accounts and on the server which you would have to check webmail to be certain.

Please post some info.

Are you actually connecting with the server or are you just seeing a view of a something that was in a backup. They are not one and the same.

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Yes..I just don't understand..after I copy the backup the first time I open thunderbird..it works..then when I close it and reopen only one email profile and emails are there..why wouldn't the program not save it ?

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I'm presuming you exited/closed Thunderbird. Then made the backup.

then on PC , Thunderbird is not running: you copy pasted the backup User Account/Appdata/Roaming/'Thunderbird' folder into the PC. There should only be one 'Thunderbird' folder in the 'Roaming' folder.

  • click on Thunderbird folder to open
  • open 'profiles.ini' using notepad
  • post image showing contents of 'profiles.ini' file.
  • click on 'Profiles' folder
  • Please post images showing contents of 'Profiles' folder.

scroll down and locate 'pref.js' file right click on file and select 'Properties' Under 'Attributes' Is the checkbox for 'read-only' or 'hidden' selected? If no then all is OK. If yes, then uncheck that checkbox and click on 'OK'

  • click on the profile name folder to open
  • click on 'ImapMail' folder
  • post image showing contents of 'ImapMail' folder
  • click on imap mail account name folder (of account that disappears)
  • post image showing contents of imap mail account folder


start Thunderbird: Right click on one of the imap accounts that goes missing and select 'Settings'.

Select 'Server Settings' for the imap account

on the right side you will see 'Local directory:' Put cursor in that text box and highlight all the text - then right click and select 'Copy' right click in this forum 'Post a Reply' box and select 'Paste.'

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