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I've just got a new laptop and have managed to transfer most of the data over from the old laptop.

However, I've yet to figure out a way of transfering all my emails over. I use Mozilla Thunderbird.

I looked at the Mozilla website and the forums, but everything is written in "geek-speak"

Can someone here tell me in plain English how to go about the transfer.

Thanks in advance.

Back up your profile and then restore this to the new installation:

I've backed up and transferred my profile without a problem, but this doesn't transfer the 5000+ emails I have on my old laptop to my new laptop! !annoyed!

Strange, should have worked.

OK try this:

CAUTION: It will delete any email you have already recieved on your new Thundrbird set up!!

Remove the Thunderbird folder on the new PC, located here:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Thunderbird

Copy the Thunderbird folder on the old PC, and paste it into the
Application Data folder on the new PC, located here:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data

NOTE: If you copy the Thunderbird folder on the old PC to CD, zip the folder. This will keep the contents of the file attributes from being changed to "Read Only". Then all that is needed is for you to unzip the file to the Application Data folder.

Yeah, since a Windows XP auto backup when XP first came out, I don't trust automated backups anymore.

I have always gone to:

C:\Documents and Settings\Craig\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\113jztef.default\Mail and once there you can pick and choose which mail accounts and files you want to copy to disk.

After re-installing Thunderbird I then just set up Thunderbird as normal and then replace the mail accounts I saved.

Jacques mentions zipping the saved folders to stop them being copied as 'read only' files. I have to say I've never zipped my backups and I've not noticed the file attributes have changed as Thunderbird has recognised all my backed-up mail perfectly.

Zip them just in case though.

Tried all of those... still no joy!!

The only alternative I can see is to forward every single email (5000+) on my old laptop to a secondary email account, and then forwarding them back and opening them in the new laptop. What a fucking palava!!!

My daughter has an iMac. She recently upgraded to a new machine and after half an hour had moved all her files, folders, settings across without a problem.

I've been trying to transfer data for 5 days now!!!! And it's not a one-off either. When I last changed machines I recall having similar problems.

I even went to the expense of buying Laplink PCMover, only that didn't work using the USB cable supplied and when I tried using a LAN connection the software bared me from doing so as my first failed attempt constituted "use" and it has a single use licence. So that's ?35 down the drain!

FUCKING PCs... I so nearly bought a Mac and now wish I had.

A few questions.

Did you find the Inbox File in Thunderbird? There are two. One is called 'Inbox.msf' and the other is just 'Inbox File'. It's the 'Inbox File' you want to copy.

Set up Thunderbird -on the new laptop- like you're starting from afresh. When finished you should have an 'Inbox File' in the exact same place you found your 'Inbox File' in the old laptop. The only difference being the size of the file due to one having 5000+ emails in.

Just copy the old 'Inbox File' to a disk and transfer it to your new laptop. Save it in the folder where the new 'Inbox File' is located. The computer will tell you that there's already a file of that name, and whether you want to over right it. Click yes.

Close all windows and restart Thunderbird. You should see all your emails in the Inbox as normal.

Works every time for me without fail. As long as you copy the correct file, and paste it in the correct folder, it will work.

I know the Inbox File exists because when I look at my settings in Thunderbird it shows me the exact path that emails are sent to... HOWEVER when I go to My Computer, then open up the folders one by one, when I get to the one the emails are stored in there is no listing as Windows has decided to make it a "hidden" file. This means I can't just copy and paste as you suggset.

Has anyone got an aspirin... I'm getting a headache.

Well that's easily sorted.

Go into the folder and click: Tools>Folder Options...>View Then in the 'Advanced Settings:' box make sure you click on the 'show hidden files and folders' option ans apply it.

My Thunderbird files aren't hidden but the 'Application Data' will be by default. The process above will sort that out.

Just type C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Application Data\Thunderbird into the address bar, but obviously replacing 'USER' with your account name.

You can easily follow the path to your e-mail Inbox's from there.

Thanks Sam, I'll try that.