How to Transfer E-Mails in Thunderbird to a New Computer

Although free, simple and easy to use Mozilla Thunderbird has few shortcomings, it lacks a way to simply transfer emails from one computer to another when it's time to upgrade your system. Fortunately a few folks have developed a solution. Here's how to transfer email.

Things You'll Need

• Mozbackup Freeware Program
• Two computers running Windows with Thunderbird 2 installed.

Instructions

1. Download MozBackup using the link at the end of this article. Install MozBackup on the system containing the existing data that you want to transfer.

2. Close Thunderbird if you have it open. Then run MozBackup and click on Next. Make sure "Backup a profile" is selected and then select your version of Mozilla Thunderbird from the list at the bottom of the dialog box.

3. Select the profile where your emails are stored. Unless you have multiple users on one computer, it will usually be "Default."

4. Select the location to copy your old emails to by clicking Browse. This will likely be some sort of removable media drive, like a jump drive, portable hard disk or writable DVD that you will use to transfer the data to the new system.

5. Click Next--you'll be given the option to password-protect your backup file. On the next screen (Components Selection), make sure "Email" is checked, then click Next again. It may take a few minutes to create the backup file.

6. Once backup is complete, you're ready to move your old emails to the new destination computer.

7. Install MozBackup on the new computer. Close Thunderbird if running and run Mozbackup on the new system. Select "Restore Profile" and Thunderbird and click Next.

8. Select the same profile as before and locate the backup file by hitting "Browse."

9. Click Next, and make sure "Email" is selected on the screen, then click Next again and your old emails will have a safe new home after a few minutes!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure there's plenty of room on the media where you'll be storing the backup file.

• If using a laptop, power up the battery before backup--a dead battery in the middle can create real headaches!

Resources

• Mozbackup Download Site