We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

How to move a local directory and all subdirectories from old computer to new computer that has been running Thunderbird for 6+ months?

  • 3 ŋuɖoɖowo
  • 1 masɔmasɔ sia le esi
  • 11 views
  • Nuɖoɖo mlɔetɔ Zenos

more options

I have laptop that has been running Thunderbird for 6 + months. I want to copy a folder and all of its sub-folders and messages from an old desktop's Thunderbird (both running same current version) to be an additional folder (with all of its contents) under the Local\personal folder on the newer laptop.

I have copied the folder to the appropriate location in the laptop's profile BUT it doesn't show up when I start up Thunderbird.

What am I doing wrong?

I have laptop that has been running Thunderbird for 6 + months. I want to copy a folder and all of its sub-folders and messages from an old desktop's Thunderbird (both running same current version) to be an additional folder (with all of its contents) under the Local\personal folder on the newer laptop. I have copied the folder to the appropriate location in the laptop's profile BUT it doesn't show up when I start up Thunderbird. What am I doing wrong?

All Replies (3)

more options

It is possible, with experience, to identify the appropriate files/folders in your profile and the appropriate location in the new profile to move them to.

However I'd suggest the ImportExportTools addon since you can select the required folder by name without having to get to grips with the multiple files that may be associated with it.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/?src=hp-dl-mostpopular

more options

I have multilevel folders/directories in a tree with email contents on new laptop under Local/Personal in Thunderbird. I want to create one additional folder/directory under Personal named something like "Old Desktop" and copy all the old multilevel folders/directories to start at that level and maintain the same tree structure and contents under that point..

I did copy what I thought was the appropriate folder from the old profile to the location I wanted under the new profile, they didn't show up when I started up Thunderbird.

I also copied those old folders and structure to a flash drive and then used Import to try to put them in the directory I wanted but it took ALL the multi level directories in the tree and put them on a SINGLE level with no tree and even renamed most or a lot of them, which made a total mess.

I did not see any option to get Import to retain the folder/directory tree structure and keep the same names from the one folder I want that the start at during the Import.

Is there some option I am overlooking??

Is there a simpler way to just use explorer and copy the old tree and contents to the "Old laptop" directory in the new profile?

Thanks!! Seems like either way should be fairly simple but is giving me frustrating results.

more options

I suggest you create a new subfolder in Local Folders for your imported messages, then close Thunderbird, locate its profile and study that until you understand how your new folder fits into the storage hierarchy. You will have a folder with an sbd extension. Put your files/folders into that.

Do NOT attempt to paste your folders into an IMAP based account. Thunderbird will simply delete them because they don't correspond with anything on the server.

It is still easier, IMHO, to learn how to use the addon properly.