How to Move Thunderbird Local Folders to Another Computer?

Summary: Mozilla Thunderbird is an email management software that allows you to store your emails, contacts, and configurations in the local folders of your computer. In case you are using a different computer, you may wish to transfer all your emails, filters and configurations as they are. This article will focus on how to move thunderbird local folders to another computer. It will ensure that your data is protected, and easily in an accessible format on the new device.

Reasons to Move Local Thunderbird Folders to Another Computer

There are various scenarios that made user to know about how to move Thunderbird local folders to another computer:

• Backing up files: Transferring Thunderbird local folders to another machine serves as a reliable method of preserving email information.
• Change of Device: In cases where an individual gets a new laptop, the process of moving the folders of Thunderbird aids in ensuring that resuming work does not require starting from scratch in terms of lost emails or settings.
• Enhancing Workspace: Sit to stand desks are becoming a hot trend in office spaces as they allow for improved productivity and enhanced user experience. This is particularly true for individuals who easily switch between personal and work laptops.
• Restoration of the System: In case the working computer develops problems, one can opt to prevent unnecessary loss of files by transferring Thunderbird files to another computer.

Move Thunderbird Local Folders to Another Computer - Quick Way

Switching computers or requiring to move your Thunderbird data can be easier said than done, especially when it comes to moving local folders manually. It's worth noting that thanks to reliable utility tools such as SysTools Free Tool to Import MBOX to Thunderbird all the local folders from Thunderbird can be transferred to a new system without room for error within a click or two. Understand how this tool is useful in making your data migration easier without any complications.

How to Move Thunderbird Local Folders to Another Computer - Manual Methods

Here are stepwise methods to move local thunderbird folders to another device.

Method 1. Using Thunderbird Profile Folder

1.Find Thunderbird Profile Folder

• Launch Thunderbird on your old pc, tap Help and select Troubleshooting Information.
• Under the header Application Basics, Profile Folder is found, click on Open Folder.

2.Copy the Profile Folder

• Remember to shut Thunderbird in order to prevent alterations file conflicts.
• The complete profile folder (it usually bears some random alphanumeric identification like xxxxxx.default) may then be copied to an external disk.

3.Transfer to the New Computer

• The external disk drive is to be connected to the new machine.
• Copy the profile folder to sunset thunderbird profiles folder in the new computer. It is found in the subsequent directory by default.
• Windows: C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles
• Mac: ~/Library/Thunderbird/Profiles
• Linux: ~/.thunderbird

4.Setting Up Thunderbird in the New Computer with New Profile

• On the new computer, open Thunderbird.
• If Thunderbird creates a new profile automatically, open Profiles.ini and edit it to point to the transferred profile folder.

Method 2: Using ImportExportTools NG Add-on

1.ImportExportTools NG Add-on Installation Procedure

• Whenever you open Thunderbird, click on Tools > Add-ons, and look for ImportExportTools NG.
• Proceed then to install and restart the Thunderbird application.

2.Transfer Local Folders from Previous Computer

• You can export local folders by right-clicking on the corresponding ones, selecting ImportExportTools NG, and Export all messages in the folder MBOX file.
• Additionally, transfer the MBOX files to an external hard disk drive.

3.Move Local Folders to a Different Computer

• The ImportExportTools NG extension would also be installed in the new installation of Thunderbird.
• Right-click on Local Folders, click on ImportExportTools NG > Import MBOX file > and select the MBOX files from the external hard drive connected.

Conclusion

It may appear difficult to move Thunderbird local folders to another computer. However, when you do it in the right way, it is an easy task. You can either use the profile transfer method or the ImportExportTools NG add-on to move all your email messages, contacts and settings to a new computer. Adhering to these processes does not just keep your data intact, but also ensures that the same work processes across different computers are retained.

Also Read: How to Import Maildir Files to Thunderbird?