How to Move Thunderbird Profile to New Computer / PC?

Are you looking for a trusted way to move Thunderbird profile to new computer? Did you just get a new computer and want to copy your old Thunderbird data into new PC including the settings? Stay connected till the end to perform some efficient approaches to resolve this transfer problem.

Being a desktop-based email application, Mozilla Thunderbird data and complete profile are stored in the system. Sometimes, Thunderbird users switch to a new computer/ PC but want to continue using the same Thunderbird profile. If you are stuck in this similar situation, then copying only the MBOX file to the new system will not be enough. Users have to move Thunderbird email profile to the new location in a complete manner.

As moving the complete TB profile is not a common procedure, most users do not know the method. To help the users who are stuck in this awkward situation, we will share some techniques of exporting profile of Thunderbird from one computer to another.

What is the Thunderbird Profile folder?

Before you transfer, let’s know what the profile folder is. This is actually where all your Thunderbird data is stored in your email account. Now, what type of information is stored. Like your:

• Email message
• Address book
• Saved contacts
• Login credentials
  

So when you copy your profile folder to another system, then Thunderbird automatically loads your previous data as it was. Now, you can access the same way as you were doing in your old system. To get complete data, you need to ensure that you have transferred the profile folder fully.

Thunderbird Profile Folder Location

Before you move, you should know the location where Thunderbird stores all your data which is your profile folder.

Look into the profile location for different operating systems:

For Windows:

C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles

For Mac:

/Users/Username/Library/Application Support/Thunderbird/Profiles

For Linus:

~/.thunderbird/

when you will go inside this, you will find profile folders something like abcd1234.default-release. It is the location where all your data is stored. By doing this, you can restore your previous Thunderbird setup and start your work from where you have left.

Why to Copy Thunderbird Profile to New Computer?

We have mentioned the key reasons below to move Thunderbird profile to new computer or PC. Just read those points carefully:

• Firstly, whenever users buy or want a new PC. They want to keep their old emails and account settings with themselves
• If you will transfer Thunderbird Profile, then you will not need to start from scratch
• Secondly during the OS reinstallation process, if you copy Thunderbird profile before. Then, you can easily restore all your emails & folders
• This is also done to take backup of your mailbox data to prevent from any system failure
• Sometimes, you may need to work on other computer. By moving the profile folder, you can quickly access the same data
• Lastly, when your computer is slow, then transfer your Thunderbird data to efficiently manage your email data 

Verify these Points Before Transferring your Thunderbird Profile 

Before you copy Thunderbird profile folder to other system, please check this below pointers to avoid error.

• At first, close Thunderbird on both ends before you start the Profile transfer process
• Ensure that you have installed the latest version of Thunderbird to function properly
• Always backup your data to have the chance to regain it by yourself
• Make sure you have tick the box which says hidden files in file explorer
• One important thing is that you should have Thunderbird installed on the system in which you are exporting the data

Following these points will ensure smooth transfer process and successful Thunderbird experience.

Methods to Move Thunderbird Profile to New Computer

When users move from one system to another, it becomes difficult for them to move Mozilla Thunderbird’s data profile to another computer. Before starting with this method, users first need to back up their complete profile data and then start following the instructions to move Thunderbird profile to another PC.

Copy Thunderbird Profile to New Computer Manually

In this particular method, users can easily move and import Thunderbird Profile data to another PC. To do that, follow the below steps:

1. Start by closing Thunderbird
2. Next, go to the main screen and press Windows + R and type the below command:

%APPDATA%\Thunderbird

    3. Go to profile folder and just open it
    4. Here you have to do the process of copying profile folder with the help of default or. default-release extension
    5. Simply, copy this folder on USB drive or to any external ones
    6. Then, connect it to your new PC
    7. After that, paste your profile folder location here:

C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles

   8. At last, launch it in your new computer

After following the above steps, Thunderbird will load your copied profile and in few seconds you will see all your emails and folders.  

Limitations of Using Manual Solution

This can work for someone, but if you have large Thunderbird profiles to move. Then, you could face some problem that’s given below:

• Sometimes profile fails to load because you have set the wrong folder path
• Due to incomplete attachments or large files issues
• This method is not good to import data from address book
• In this Thunderbird automatically creates a new empty profile
• There is a risk of profile corruption while using this method 

It is very difficult for non-technical users due to these limitations.

Move Thunderbird Profile to New Computer without Data Loss

If you do not find the above method trustworthy, the same process can be done with the help of Thunderbird Import Wizard. This application can easily import the complete data from Thunderbird to different computer. It keeps your data safe and experience a smooth transfer process.

Download Now Purchase Now

Step-1: Open the system that contains the source Thunderbird profile.

Step-2: On the address bar of File Explorer, paste this path:
“C:\Users\admin\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles”

Step-3: Copy the Thunderbird profile located here with .default extension.

Step-4: Paste the folder to any USB pen drive.

Step-5: Connect the pen drive with a new computer where the destination Thunderbird is located.

Step-6: Launch the software on the new computer.

Step-7: Click on Add Folder and select the Profile file.

Step-8: All components of Thunderbird Profile will be displayed.

Step-9: Now choose Local Folder or any other configured profile of Thunderbird.

Step-10: Click on Import and the software will successfully import Thunderbird profile to new location.

Common Problem While Moving Thunderbird Profile

There are some issue that users may face. The points are given below:

• This happen when you make a new profile in Thunderbird
• Launch the Profile Manager & pick the copied profile folder
• Please take care to copy the entire profile folder, like not just MBOX files
• Edit the profiles. ini file, which should work with your new Thunderbird
• Resync your profile path to allow that associated folder

Conclusion

If users are willing to move Thunderbird profile to new computer, this is the right post for them. Here, we have discussed two commonly used techniques of Thunderbird profile migration. Though there is a manual method available for this process, it is complicated and may involve data loss in many instances. In order to move Thunderbird email profile to another location quickly and safely, the cited software is the ideal one. Since there is no risk of data loss, this application is a completely safe utility.

FAQs Regarding Copying Thunderbird Profile