Overview: In this informative tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to import old profile in Thunderbird. Follow the methods to locate the profile folder, transfer data into different PCs, and overcome problems like identifying Thunderbird’s profile.
If you have kept an old Thunderbird profile with your email messages, contacts, account settings, and other information. Then, you can easily add old profile into Thunderbird on your computer. There is no need to do the setup again from the start. Thunderbird automatically stores this data in a unique profile folder which allows you to restore your old profile even if you are not using the same email account as before.
One of the options is to use Thunderbird built-in method. It allows you to transfer information from an already present Thunderbird installation or from another profile folder. But if the profile is too large, then it becomes a difficult task. Instead of doing it manually, you can use our below mentioned tool to make the process simple.
To clearly understand this scenario where users need to add the old profile to Thunderbird we will take the help of user query.
Query –
“I had an IMAP account for a company, I used this profile for work. Recently, I removed my account from Thunderbird and company has deleted my account from the server, but the good thing is this profile is still on my computer. My inbox hold approx 350 MB emails, these emails are very important for me. I have searched and found some post in which the writer suggests to create a new IMAP account to get back old emails, but in my scenario that is not possible. Because when I try to do this my user name & password get rejected. So I want to know, is there a way to import this profile or inbox in Thunderbird.”
Solution –
“In this scenario, one thing is clear user want their important emails to get back into Thunderbird. So, it is possible, Yes, the user can import old profile inbox file into Thunderbird email client. You have two ways to perform this task first is SysTools Thunderbird Import Wizard and second is ImportExportTools method.”
In this upcoming section, we will explain which solution is better for you & how you can import old profile data into Thunderbird. So continue reading!
Reasons to Add Old Profile into Thunderbird
You might want to import old profile in Thunderbird account due to the following points. Let’s read those:
- Access emails and other folders from the previous account
- Keep email, contact list, and configurations while you set up the new installation
- Restore email folders, account settings, and other profile information after reinstalling Thunderbird
- Recover your emails that you had stored locally when the old email account is gone
- Avoid losing the folder set-up and organization
- Transfer important messages and user information from backup to current version
- Import the profile details directly instead of creating email accounts and settings from scratch
How can I Import Old Profile in Thunderbird Manually?
In order to add your old Thunderbird profile, follow these below steps:
- Firstly, launch Thunderbird and tap the Menu button
- Next, go to Tools > Import
- Select Import from another Thunderbird installation
- Choose the old Thunderbird profile directly or manually choose the profile folder
- Select the data which you want to add
- Follow the instructions and start the import process
- Restart Thunderbird if needed, and check the imported messages and folders
If Thunderbird is opening correctly yet your old messages or folders are gone. Then, consider the following points:
Follow these Small Fixes:
1. Inspect the Profile Folder
Ensure you have chosen the correct Thunderbird profile folder and not its higher folder. Choosing the right folder will enable opening the profile folders and files.
2. Check Whether Thunderbird Is Running
Don’t modify, replace or copy the profile while Thunderbird remains running. It is better to make sure that the application is closed in that period.
3. Evaluate the Profile Size
For a ZIP backup of a size greater than 2 GB, make use of the import function for Thunderbird.
4. Check Thunderbird Version
When transferring a full profile from one computer to another, make sure it is updated. This is important since it is recommended to use the same version.
5. Make a Backup Prior to Importing Process
Be sure to keep a separate copy of both old profile and current profile prior to making anything with the information.
Which Method is Better for You to Add Old Profile into Thunderbird?
After working with both solution we have found both are work, but we have also found some draw-backs of ImportExportTool. Some users face difficulties to work with this tool.
We collected some users bad experiences with this tool. Take a look!
1- ImportExportTool not compatible with Tbv60.2.1, 60.3.0 and higher versions –
“WON’T INSTALL – I have used Thunderbird 60.2.1 when I installed this addon on my Thunderbird, I get an error message from Mozilla – “this is not compatible with 60.2.1″.”
2- Unreliable –
“I have tried to import entire data of my profile into Thunderbird, but it only imports half of the contents. When I check the size of the folder it exactly same to local folder size. This makes it feel unreliable.”
3 – Not works properly –
“This extension is useful in other tasks but for me, this is for basic import/export functionality. This tool not working properly for me, which is a disappointment because it is a major v3 release. I tried to import a large profile or folder it got crashed silently. I would like to suggest others, use this tool carefully”
This tool works, but some users face difficulties with ImportExportTools while importing emails from old Thunderbird profile.
In such situations, where you fail to import old profile in Thunderbird, you have to move to professional solution. This tool will import all your folders into Thunderbird easily. It also provides selective emails import option, for this, you have to apply date filter. The software also maintains the folder structure of MBOX files/ folder. To work with the tool you have downloaded the software.
Also Read: How to install ImportExportTools NG add-on for Thunderbird?
Import Old Profile in Thunderbird Client Using Professional Steps
- After downloading the software, run the tool on Windows Machine.
- Click on Add File(s) or Add Folder button.
- Now, files added, click on Next button.
- Click on the Import button.
- Now, all data imported from old profile into Thunderbird.
Conclusion
If you import old profile in Thunderbird, then it helps you to retrieve emails, set up Thunderbird again, or transfer your data to a new computer. We have also mentioned our professional tool which allows data to be imported from another profile. Although, the manual method can do it for few profiles and comes with certain drawbacks. Always maintain a copy of your old profile prior to starting any import processes.