Thunderbird: Saving emails to export to another computer

[vtohthree]

Well, I've been using Thunderbird for a while now on one computer and I like it. So I'm going to get it set up on my other computer. However I'd like to be able to access all the emails that I've downloaded on my other computer. My pop3 account deletes old messages on a regular basis so my old emails cannot be redownloaded.


I know this is a basic question but I couldn't find a straight answer by googling.

Anyone know how to do this? There doesn't seem to be an export or save all email option on there, I know it's a super noob question but I don't see it.

 

[Schadenfroh]

*System Drive* > Documents and Settings > *user name that the thunderbird account is under* > Application Data > Thunderbird

copy / paste that folder over, it should do the trick

(I am using outlook 2003 on this computer, so I am unable to verify that, but that is the best that I can recall from memory)

 

[mechBgon]

edit: yeah, or what Schadenfroh said

Here's a lowbrow method I use with other email clients, see if it works here. Just drag & drop emails from your Inbox (or Sent Items or whichever) to a regular Windows folder as a holding tank. Then move the folder to the new system on a thumb drive, or a Zip file or whatever, and drag & drop the emails back into the new system's Inbox.


1) open Thunderbird, go to your Inbox, then reduce the window so it's only taking part of your screen

2) open a regular old Windows folder to save the emails in temporarily, and get it reduced so you can see some of each window

3) click once on the top email in Inbox to select it, then scroll down and click the bottom email while holding the SHIFT key, to select the whole stack

4) drag & drop them into the folder's window, transfer that folder to the new system, and reverse the procedure.


Any good?

 

[vtohthree]

Let me fire up my other rig, give it a try and I'll get back, appreciate the feedback~

 

[WildHorse]

adding onto what Schadenfroh & mechBgon suggested, there's still 2 more ways that also might be helpful. They've each given you valuable, so I'll just mention these additional ways in case the info might help someone else who reads this someday.

(1)
Download and install (on both computers)
the free utility: MozBackup.


It'll create a compacted archive file of all your e-mails, and your Thunderbird program settings.

Simply copy that archive file over to the other computer, and use MozBackup to install that archive back into Thunderbird.

(2)
Install the free Mozilla ImportExportTools (MboxImport enhanced) on both computers.

Use it to export the e-mail WITH STRUCTURE.
Move the exported files to other rig, use same tool to import into Thunderbird there.

 

[vtohthree]

Ok, well I tried Schandenfroh's method and though I was able to copy the folder under Application data, I was unable to find an Application data folder under my other rig, so I checked "hidden files" and it's taking over an hour.

I will try Scott's suggestion of Mozbackup and report back.

edit* getting really late here on the east coast, I'll do this tmrw.

Again, thanks for all and everyone's input!

 

[WildHorse]

Re: MozBackup, here are some pictures that might help save you some time:

Click on "Thunderbird"

Click on the word "Default"
It took me a while to figure out that you have to actually click the word "Default"

Probably "No" password protect

Click "Extensions" although it'll warn you

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