How to Find Profile Folder in Thunderbird?

The place where Mozilla Thunderbird stores all information is named as profile folder. This folder contains address books, message-oriented data, and other settings related to Thunderbird configuration. Single profile for Thunderbird may keep one or more than one account details within RSS, news, mail etc. Automatic creation of user profile is done by Mozilla Thunderbird at the default location when, user does not follow Profile Manager for creating Thunderbird profile at the desired location.

Finding proper location of Thunderbird profile is not a big task if you are following correct steps. Underneath sections will let you know how to find profile folder in Thunderbird within different operating systems.

Get Thunderbird Folder Location within Windows XP/2000

Go to the Start Menu » Move on to Run wizard » type %APPDATA% under Run tab » click on OK » Windows explorer wizard will be explored » go with Thunderbird within this Window » Profiles » if you are able to see multiple folders within this tab then, you do have Thunderbird multiple accounts within the computer » locate the one you want to

• Direct approach to the Thunderbird profile within same system is also possible with:
  C:\Documents and Settings\<Windows user name>\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>
  

  

• For hidden folders like Application data folder, it is required to make these folders visible or detectable, to do so:
• Open Windows Explorer
• Opt "Tools"
• Folder Options
• Then follow View
• Apply "Show hidden files and folders"

Find Out Thunderbird Folder Location – Procedure for Windows 7 and Vista

Windows “Start” menu » within "Start Search" box » enter %APPDATA% command » follow "Roaming" explored within results » Click on Roaming » The window explored contains Thunderbird » Profiles (keeps multiple folders, each shows individual account for different users)

• The direct way to get Thunderbird profile is: C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>\
  

  

• AppData folder that is hidden folder must move into accessible mode using procedure:
• Open Windows Explorer window
• Click on "Organize"
• Opt Folder and Search Options
• Follow Folder Options
• Under View option, use Show hidden files and folders

Willing To Find Out Thunderbird Profile within Linux/Unix

The location of Thunderbird folders under Linux or Unix systems is:

~/.thunderbird/<Profile name>/

These folders are hidden and handled by Nautilus, the default file manager. Make hidden folder approachable by "View -> Show Hidden Files".

Tilde character {~} shows the Home folder for current user

Find Thunderbird Folder in Mac OS

During usage of Mac OS with Thunderbird, one can get Thunderbird Profile folder at:

• ~/Library/Thunderbird/Profiles/<Profile name>/
• OR
• ~/Library/Application Support/Thunderbird/Profiles/<Profile name>/
• ~/Library is the home folder of Macintosh systems
  

  

More Methods to Find Thunderbird Profile

"abook.mab" file within each Thunderbird profile is applicable to store data from Thunderbird to an outside location. If you want to get the Thunderbird profile without following a big process then, make search for the file including name of all hidden folders/files.

• Process For Windows 2000 users: Windows Explorer or My Computer-> opt Tools option ? Folder Options ? View) ? Show hidden files and folders
• For Windows XP users: Go to start -> from search find "More advanced options" -> go with "Search system folders", "Search hidden files and folders"&"Search sub folders", to do this check the boxes adjacent to folders
• When Using Windows Vista: Go with Windows Start menu -> Search->"Advanced Search" -> "Include non-indexed, hidden, and system files (might be slow)"

How to Find Thunderbird Folders with Error Console?

• Within Thunderbird wizard opt "Tools" -> "Error Console"
• Components.classes["@mozilla.org/file/directory_service;1"].getService( Components.interfaces.nsIProperties).get("ProfD", Components.interfaces.nsIFile).path
• Copy this code in error console (at top most position)
• Go with Evaluate button

After execution of this code within console section, you will find the location of Thunderbird profile that is running presently. If you don't find that then, opt the option "All" from the toolbar

Another Way to Locate Thunderbird Store Folder!

Profiles.ini is a default file created by Thunderbird email client to get the location of all users' profiles as well as this file also assist to find out the profile that is default profile for the system.

For Windows this file will be at parent mode of "Profiles" folder. If the file gets deleted accidently then, the new Profiles.ini file will be available when Thunderbird restarts.