How Do I Move Thunderbird to a New Computer?
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- Опубліковано 5 сер 2024
- ✴️ Moving email from one machine to another is a snap when you're using Thunderbird as your email program. I'll show you how.
Thunderbird stores all your information in what it calls a “profile” - a folder that contains everything. All you need do to move your Thunderbird email is to locate the profile on the old machine and copy it in its entirety to the profile location on the new machine.
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Chapters
0:00 Moving Thunderbird
0:13 Thunderbird is easy to move
1:45 The secret word - Profile
2:42 Thunderbird on Windows 10 Home
3:06 Step 1 Shut down Thunderbird
3:24 Find your Thunderbird folder
3:59 Zip up your profile
4:59 Copy to thumb drive
5:53 Install Thunderbird on new computer
8:07 Find new Thunderbird folder
8:30 Transfer profile files to new computer
9:50 Start Thunderbird and everything is there
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#askleo #thunderbird #email - Наука та технологія
Just say the secret word.
And i scanned with windows defender and firewall
It showed
5trojan horses file found now i removed tht files and now wat to do any further problems??
Cann u please help me leo...!plzz
@ROHITH - you are a liar!
@@Nanooky Yes & yes.
@@askleonotenboom is this work move from win 10 to win 11?
Such a helpful video. Just changed to a newer laptop and was dreading re-installing Thunderbird. However, followed your easy steps and I now have Thunderbird running like a dream on my new PC with everything just the way I had it before. Great work.
Leo, I played this video and was ecstatic to discover that, unlike most instructional videos, actually worked! You spoke clearly, didn't get in a hurry, didn't assume anything, and your instructions were clear, and best of all, it WORKED! Thank you so much! I would never have been able to do this by myself! Great job!
Thank you so much Leo! I was really close but I found so many bad instructions out there... There are so many talented techs out there but it’s rare to find one who is a good ‘splainer. You are a gem!!
04-30-2023 Leo - this has to be the most clear and simple to understand of all other videos on this topic. Thank You a BUNCH !!!
THANK YOU! Somehow, I lost track of the ini file and it worked. I had to reset Windows and this is the first time I did not lose ALL my emails. Super-kudos to you. ❤😎
Thank you. You video was excellent and helped me to feel secured in my move to another computer. It had been 10 years since the last move and had forgotten the procedure. The video saved time and it went without a hitch.
Leo, sure am glad I found this video. I recently executed a Thunderbird migration the manual/hard way, and I just knew there had to be a better solution for this current migration to a new machine I just built. Thanks for the lesson. Well done.
Thank you! I just transferred Thunderbird from my old laptop to my new one. Very grateful for your clear, simple instructions.
Fantastic Guide
Just upgraded my machine from Windows 10 to 11 and had multiple accounts, this guide was easy to follow and has everything as it was set up!
Fantastic! You make it clear, easy to follow, and most important, fool proof. Thank you!
Thank you! I've spent hours of frustration trying to install and configure Thunderbird on my new lap-top, and finally had success!
I have been using Thunderbird for decades now, across three or four devices--I find it the easiest way to compose, read, and store email. But moving archived files to a new computer is always a hassle. Your video certainly helped. Two things worth mentioning:
1) The compressing and copying of the profile folders took much longer than your video would indicate--about ten minutes, I believe, at least in my case.
2) If--like me--you have downloaded and installed Thunderbird; attempted to configure it, and failed; then subsequently uninstalled it, the profile folders are not deleted, but remain, and have to be overwritten when you try to install it a second time.
Back in the day, I got pretty proficient at locating and manipulating files in Window XP and 7; I skipped 8; and I never did become comfortable with 10. Window 11 . . . ?
Leo - thank you from me as well! It just worked first time. I'm so pleased! Note: it took me ages (~ 30 min) to create the zip file because I had so many local folders with many emails. Important to close down Thunderbird whilst creating the zip file.
Migrating Thunderbird has been such a pain for me over the years. With Leo's excellent video I'm confident to get it done! THANKS LEO!!!! & BEST WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAYY
Thanks Leo. It was very clear and easy to follow.
I did it and now am working with it in my new computer.
God Bless you.
Leo . . excellent tutorial and presentation. I have to admit, that I tried following you step-by-step about 5 times and couldn't get it to work. Then I noticed a reply you made in one of the comments regarding allowing file name extensions (I was not seeing profile.ini). I changed the default in File Explorer and that solved that issue. So I was now able to copy/paste both the profile and profile.ini.
I encountered one deviation from your instructions. My new PC did not permit me to 'drag & drop' the copied files from my USB to the Thunderbird location (accessed via %APPDATA%). However, if I instead did the 'Copy & Paste' into that Thunderbird location - - Bingo! It worked and everything is good to go.
So, thank you Leo, and perhaps these comments may be useful to others that had difficulty.
I had to move my 6 T-bird email accounts to my new computer and it took me about 20 minutes with your video. Thanks so much!
Excellent!! After three days of faffing about trying to get passwords right this worked first time and everything was spot on. Thank you very much.
I've been using TB for nearly 20 years. Thanks for this video, learned many things.
Really useful video. I finally managed to move my Thunderbird folders from my desktop computer to the laptop. Thank you so much!!
Wow!!! Thank you so much for helping me and walking thru all the easy steps in a way I could follow!!!
Hi Leo. I have been putting off replacing an old failing computer because of not wanting to lose years of mail. Having just watched your tutorial I think time to upgrade. Thank you Sir.
Hi Leo firstly thank you very much for making this video. I am just about to purchase a new machine and this will make the task so much easier. a BIG thumbs up.
I have to second psanders comment. What an amazing explanation. Detailed and precise yet simply, slowly stated so it was a piece of cake to carry out. Look forward to seeing more of your videos Leo.
Thank's Leo This was just what I needed today and it worked perfectly.
This move is so easy I would never have figured it out. I would keep looking for the "gotcha". Previous experience was with Outlook from one machine to another. Thanks for the tip.
This help video is really relevant and well done. I followed the procedure described and recovered all my emails. Thank you so much.👍🙌🙏
Thank you so much for this instruction. It was very clear and easy to follow!
Very Helpful! it saved me hours of rebuilding my profiles! Thanks!
Thank you so very much for this tutorial! Trying to set up my new PC build and was stumbling over this Thunderbird data issue. I tried and failed three times, but your video walked me right through the process. I did basically the same thing, however, I moved my old SSD into the new case and just used the file manager to carry out the tasks from one drive to the other.
Thank you Leo. Brilliant and clear instructions.
Thanks Leo! It worked with my Mac and your video helped me a lot 👏
I tried this the Thunderbird way with no luck, but your way worked great !!!
A thousand thanks Leo! It took a couple of tries but I finally got it. I actually got a message saying the zip file was corrupted when I tried to copy the .ini file. I had to delete the zip file, delete some old emails from two sent folders and a couple of years of old read emails and try again. I don't think my thumb drive was big enough. Once I got it down to about 4gb it worked like a champ!
Finally a video well explained and deeply appreciated.
Absolutely great tutorial. I love thunderbird, and your guidance will certainly help many users.
Mr. Leo Notenboom, Thank You for this video. I believe to remember helpful videos by you from years ago. This one likely also is good. Will put it to the test!
just WOW worked with a 42gb profile file.. btw.. could not zip it so just copied the entire file and put it in the correct place.. again just wow and thank you Leo!
Leo,
Please ignore my two earlier messages this morning. Turns out I had a copy of my old C: drive on a flash drive. All I had to do is copy the Thunderbird folder from the flash drive into the Thunderbird folder in the new computer and all my address books appeared.
Ray
relevant to me today! Thanks so much for this video. Worked like a charm.
I did this many years ago..... Needed reminding how to, thanks 👍🏻
IT WORKED!!! Leo, you're a very talented teacher and I thank you. You found a simple process and explained it clearly. My next project is to copy browser bookmarks from my old PC to the new PC. Anyone know a good video to tell me how?
thank you so much. your method works flawlessly. 😀
Thank you Leo!
Thank you so much, I deleted Thunderbird by mistake. Without your video i would have to ask my son for intervention, very well done video, again thanks
It just smoothly works. Many thanks!🙂
Amazing and simple. Thanks
Thanks Leo, worked great
Brilliant - thanks Leo - saved me hours :)
Perfect! Thanks!
Thanks Leo! Stay safe and healthy.......J
Thank you Sir for a very helpful video.
Thank you!
Wow! Thank you! 👍👍
Great video!
Thanks, Liked and subscribed.
Excellent!
Very informative tutorial.
Excellent Guide
Excellent information that also worked on Win11 pro THANKS!!
sehr sehr gut! Thanks!
very helpful really thankyou
Absolutely brilliant instruction Leo! I've done this many years ago but have forgotten how to do this. Recently my laptop, which has my emails on it, crapped itself and I need to transfer it over to my desktop pc but forgot. I've googled the instructions on how to do it but your video makes the process painless.... Big Thanks!!
Very helpful. I just wish I had seen this two weeks ago when I was installing my wife's new computer.
Thanks for a Great Video
Thank you
Excellent video in October 2023 , thank you
Thank you! I tried this half a dozen times before I finally got fed up, uninstalled and reinstalled, that seemed to 'fix' the issue.
Leo, thank you for the exact details of how to do this. I've used Thunderbird from the beginning, so I was quite familiar with the profile and .ini file transfer, as I've done it several PC transfers earlier. Unfortunately, I'm not so sure it works with the new 91.7.0 that auto upgraded from 91.5.0. I woke up, turned on my e-mail and got a empty front interface with no visible folder or files or way to do or see much anything in TB. I tried to install the exact same profile and .ini files on a new install and different laptop PC with the same exact results. Don't know if it's a setting, or a bug?
Excellent tutorial!
Helped me a lot!
Thank you so much!
Hi, can you please tell me how exactly you made it work so it really takes over your old emails and accounts and not asking you for a new setup?Thanks
@@kx5449 Hello. Actually, I just followed the instructions given in this tutorial step by step and it worked perfectly.
I now have Thunderbird in my new pc with my old emails history and I never had to do any setup. Just copy and paste basically.
the reason was a missing language pack, Thunderbird does not tell you why it does not work and if there is an addon/component missing
this costed me half a day ~300$ i would LOVE to pay 300$/year for working software
Very detailed, Leo! I have 10 years of about 5 emails boxes neatly archived. But, when an auto upgrade (I'll turn that off now) sent me to V115.6.1, it made a big mess. Hoping I can install on a new Win11 laptop back to the V78 you used and have it all work
absolutely worked like a magic talisman. just perfect!!!!!!!!!
Leo am embarking on the journey to try this my 3 accounts in tb have the profiles as 42gb.. will this be a challenge? I did clean up the 3 accounts first and also hoping all the accounts get migrated and not just one of them thanks for all you do! a fan in florida!
Thanks for your video,Leo. I have tried it and failed. I intend to try again but I have a query. You suggest not adding any user info to Thunderbird when loading it onto a new computer before migrating the profile you want to it. I have just transferred all my file data over from a windows 10 vers. 21H2 laptop to one with Windows 11. I downloaded Thunderbird and all my emails were already there but not my address books or local folders. Maybe that was the reason the transfer of my old profile failed.
How can I download a version of Thunderbird that is 'empty'? Any other suggestions would be helpful. Thank you
Thanks Leo, greetings from Holland (Notenboom is a very Dutch name and it is or was common in my hometown!)
My parents were both born in Holland, and all my remaining blood relatives (at least those I know of) are there. :-) Looking forward to visiting again once travel becomes realistic again.
Hey Leo,
Its my 21st anniversary of knowing you lol. First time was back in late 2002 I think. We both have certainly changed a lot since then... You with your gray hair, and me with NO HAIR lol.
I used to run winXP back then but shifted to linux about 5 years ago (when win10 stuffed my laptop) and so took a holiday from your subscription as I no longer needed help with windows (oh thank goodness), but just recently subscribed again.
I also use Thunderbird for ages which is far better than any other I experience, and when I feel like a linux distro change, I simply copy the whole Profile folder and paste it (replace all) to the new rightful place inside the .Thunderbird folder. Too easy and all done with two clicks ... . no zipping and unzipping or deleting needed, so I have to ask, why is it you zip?
Thais! Verg bood videoband clean explanation.
Actually Leo's procedure worked perfectly. My mistake was believing the Tbird Import / Export tools actually worked.
Possibly they do. Their instructions mention Profiles but never mention copying the .INI into the Zip folder. So I never did that using the Tbird built-in Tools.
Once I gave up trying to make the 115.8 Tbird Tools work, doing it the Leo way was extremely simple with perfect results.
All very clear. What I'm curious to know is whether the Thunderbird profile folder keeps an actual copy of the e-mails in my archive folders or is it looking at the e-mail client backup folders. In other words can I transfer this folder to a new e-mail server if I change e-mail address, or just copy and date the folder as a backup copy of my e-mails? Also if you add a new archive e-mail on one machine, is it replicated on the other?
I take back my previous (now deleted) comment. This works if you uninstall Tbird on destination PC, then follow Leo. Thanks Leo.
Hi. I can't move my profile to the AppData
oaming - it's too big for C: harddrive, so I have my profile on another Harddisk. Recently, when changing computer I've installed new version of thunderbird on it and set path to my old profile in profiles.ini. But it doesn't work - my "old" profile shows in Profile Manager, but when i try to start with this profile, there's an information that newest version of program might made some change in profile, which are not compatible with old version - and I have only two options: close Thunderebird or create new profile.
So how can I overpass this obstacle?
Hello Leo,
I enjoyed your descriptive video. However, when I try to open Thunderbird on the new PC (Windows 11 Pro), it just goes to the initiation screen asking for my e-mail account info and ignores the Profiles folder and profiles.ini that I replaced in the Thunderbird folder. Any suggestions? Thanks, Dennis
Leo, thanks for the informative video. You really make it look easy. Unfortunately, I can not find the .ini file that you mention. When I saved my profile from my original machine, I just saved "profile" to a USB. Then I installed v91.8.1 on my new machine and stopped it at the same point in your video. It created a profile, but no .ini file.
Is it possible to just 'cut & paste' something from my old profile to my newly created one?
My old file was on a Win10 Pro machine and so is my new one, updated to 21H2.
thanks. any time on moving 2 profiles? will each profilie have a .ini file?
I LOVE YOU! I CAN USE THE SAME PROCES TO MIGRATE FIREFOX PROFILES! I LOVE YOU
Leave this in the comment section. Might bring help to someone.
First of all, thanks a lot for the tutorial. It worked flawlessly. However:
- My ../Profiles folder wasn't in App Data, but for some reason in C:\Users\MyPC\Mails folder in Windows 10
- If you can find profile.ini in AppData\Roaming\ThunderBird but not the Profile folder --> Open Thunderbird > Help > More Troubleshooting information > Open Folder in the Profile Folder Section. In this way you will find the path of your Profile folder which might be under a completely different name.
- When you copy and paste the folder Profiles\ and the profiles.ini you should check the paths defined in the profiles.ini file (you can use notepad). Be sure that in your new computer the folder is in \AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles and assign the same path to those emails defined in profiles.ini so that everything is well linked. Otherwise, Thunderbird will raise an error
hi, I have followed your steps to move email from one PC to anthoer PC, but it seems the profiles still on c:\, how can we move the profile includes email ,etc to another BIGGER disk
?
Thank-you for going to the trouble explaining this. Unfortunately it doesn't work for me. I am using v91.6 on both machines. The reason I've stuck with TB since the 1990s is pretty much this - and now they've broken it! It looks like they've migrated from a cleartext (ish) mailbox format to SQLite. I just hope they've included export and import tools.
UPDATE - found one problem. TB misreported the Profile folder. I must have moved it to another drive to save space and it was still reporting the former location. However, I'm still not able to restore folders.
Nice
Hi Leo thanks for solving a big problem for me after an accidental delete of my Thunderbird. I just wondered if its possible to use the same method to reload my Firefox as that needs to be loaded as i lost a lot of settings and I am not happy with the Firefox that I loaded. THANKS IN ADVANCE
Thanks for the info! So I thought I could just download Thunderbird on my new laptop(Win 11)and it would save all my files from the old PC, but that didn't work. I deleted delete the Thunderbird app to try your transfer details. My only issue is that after following your instructions to the T, Thunderbird now is automatically opening before I do the profile transfer. Perhaps it's a Windows 11 issue or there are some remnants left over from the download?
I'll go back on the instructions and see if I got the steps right and reply.
Do we need to zip the profile? Or we just can transfer by lan cable from the old computer profile to new pc?
if i close the sending window while I'm sending bulk emails will the thunderbird continue sending emails in the background ?
i'm using the beta version
Elegant and seemingly foolproof methodology. Couple of minor quibbles. I can't see that it's really necessary to compress any folders/files to copy them over. Copying them as is works just the same. The other is a personal preference item. Sorry but that trailed mouse pointer would drive me nuts. I've used an enhanced-visibility pointer for decades and have no problem visually locating it on the display.
I wish they would make this simpler. There should be a menu items for exporting and importing profiles.
THUNDERBIRD NOW HAS EXPORT AND IMPORT FUNCTIONS. I was using your video with apparent success but my old laptop did not have enough space left on hard drilve to create zip file. So looking around as a way to at least move address book I stumbled on this new function for moving my profile (not the profiles folder, just my profile in that folder) by export and import functions.
Agreed, a very helpful voice and video and easy to understand and to follow . . . BUT my problem was that the latest Thunderbird automatic update (I've stopped those for the future), wiped out my existing data - emails addresses etc. I followed Leo's instructions to the letter, found my old data (5GB). I zipped it, deleted the two files Leo referred to (actually moved them somewhere else), unzipped the old data and copied into Thunderbird just as Leo's video. But when I rebooted my Thunderbird, no change . . . . . . just the few emails since Thunderbird 'upgraded'. Where to go to from here?
What if your moving it to a machine that had Thunderbird on it already? I uninstalled it and then downloaded the new version and
sent to profiles and replaced the profile with the one I had on my thumbdrive from another machine but it failed.
With the new version of Thunderbird the profile folder did not appear in /appdata. But I copied the profile folder and profile.ini in there and it worked perfect😀
That was amazing; thanks for the video. One question, the same way We can also copy, right? My requirement is that I want to copy Thunderbird from my desktop to my new laptop and keep the same Thunderbird on both machines.
Yes. Just make sure your accounts are configured using IMAP and you can then access from either machine.
@@askleonotenboomThanks for the response. One question: Could you make a video showing how to secure Thunderbird? You just demonstrated how easy it is to copy the TB data to a new computer; I'm talking about how to encrypt it using Crptomator or VeraCrypt, and by using the portable version of TB? Please consider it; it will be helpful for many. and btw Happy New Year. :)