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Moving Thunderbird Data to a New Computer

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by Matt

akb196e
akb196e
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I have thunderbird installed on a windows 10 pro machine, Thunderbird Ver 102.6.1 32bit I wanted to transfer all data/profiles to a new windows 11 pro machine. I installed thunderbird on the new machine. Thunderbird Ver 102.6.1 64bit.

Copied Thunderbird folder from C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming and pasted it into the same folder on the new PC.

I’ve done this a thousand times before, but for some reason it’s not working. The new installation is just not picking up any data from the pasted folder and wants me to set up a new account when I run Thunderbird.

Any ideas?

I have thunderbird installed on a windows 10 pro machine, Thunderbird Ver 102.6.1 32bit I wanted to transfer all data/profiles to a new windows 11 pro machine. I installed thunderbird on the new machine. Thunderbird Ver 102.6.1 64bit. Copied Thunderbird folder from C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming and pasted it into the same folder on the new PC. I’ve done this a thousand times before, but for some reason it’s not working. The new installation is just not picking up any data from the pasted folder and wants me to set up a new account when I run Thunderbird. Any ideas?

All Replies (3)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
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re :I have thunderbird installed on a windows 10 pro machine, Thunderbird Ver 102.6.1 32bit

So this version of Thunderbird will be here:

  • C:/Program Files (x86)/Mozilla Thunderbird

re:new windows 11 pro machine. I installed thunderbird on the new machine. Thunderbird Ver 102.6.1 64bit. So this version of Thunderbird will be here:

  • C:/Program Files/Mozilla Thunderbird

Good to see you are installing the same version (102.6.1) as used on win10 machine. However, I do recall a problem a few version ago when the install of 64bit was deliberately put into the location expected to receive the 32bit version because of issues locating profile - so I suggest you force the Thunderbird installation of Ver 102.6.1 64bit to be in the same location. I've got mine in that location and all is working just fine. On new computer uninstall the current version. In C:/Program Files (x86) folder create a new folder called 'Mozilla Thunderbird' When reinstalling Thunderbird use the 'Custom' option to put it in the C:/Program Files (x86)/Mozilla Thunderbird folder.

On new computer - check the Firewall and make sure that the Thunderbird install is correctly set up as an allowed program. eg: C:/Program Files (x86)/Mozilla Thunderbird/thunderbird.exe

In C://Users/ User name/Appdata/Roaming folder Make sure there is only one 'Thunderbird' folder. I presume you deleted the one automatically created by Thunderbird and replaced it with the one you copied from Win 10 machine. On old computer, I presume you did exit Thunderbird before getting a copy of the 'Thunderbird' folder.

akb196e
akb196e Question owner
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Followed all the guidance here, still no difference. Thunderbird runs like it’s a fresh installation.

Matt
Matt
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First determine the Thunderbird profile folder used on the old system if you have not already. To do that open the more troubleshooting information on the help menu and click the show button against the profile folder entry.

Go to Import on the tools menu and select import from another Thunderbird installation and when asked, point to the folder containing the old profile.

Or

Go to the new install and start Thunderbird. Close out all the setup stuff and repeat the location of the profile folder Thunderbird is using Shut down Thunderbird Copy all of the files and folders from the old profile folder to the new profile folder.

With the introduction of the profile per install feature (I hate it with a vengeance, but the developers think it is great) Thunderbird has data scattered around somewhat and not all of it is on the appdata%\Thunderbird folder. So the simple way it not argue with it and just replace the current profile data with the old. Either of the above should work for you.