This article explains how to create a backup folder for your Mozilla Thunderbird emails.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Install ImportExportTools
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Step 1. Open Thunderbird
Click on the Thunderbird app icon, depicting a blue bird flying over a white envelope.
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Step 2. Click on ☰
You will see this button in the upper right corner of the window. Press it and a drop-down menu will appear.
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Step 3. Select Add-ons
You will see this item in the menu you just opened. Click on it and another menu will appear.
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Step 4. Click on Add-ons in the newly appeared menu
The "Manage Add-ons" tab will open.
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Step 5. Look for the ImportExportTools component
Click on the search bar, in the upper right part of the window, then type importexporttools and press Enter.
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Step 6. Click Add to Thunderbird
It is located to the right of the "ImportExportTools" header.
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Step 7. Click Install Now when prompted
This will start the installation of ImportExportTools on Thunderbird.
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Step 8. Click Restart Now when prompted
It is located at the top of the window. Thunderbird will close and reopen; at this point, you can proceed with exporting your messages.
If Thunderbird restarts in Safe Mode, click Go out when prompted and open the program again before continuing.
Method 2 of 3: Export the Emails
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Step 1. Find the mailbox you want to use
In the upper left of the Thunderbird window, find the email address you want to use, then the "Inbox" folder under the address.
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Step 2. Right click on the inbox
A menu will open.
On Mac, hold Control while clicking on your inbox
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Step 3. Select ImportExportTools in the newly appeared menu
A window will open with another menu.
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Step 4. Select Export all messages to folder
This item is one of the first on the menu. Press it and a list of possible export formats will appear.
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Step 5. Select a file type
Click on the file type you want to use to backup emails. Based on your intentions, you will probably be interested in one of the following solutions:
- If you want to import your Thunderbird backup to another computer, select the EML format.
- If you want to read the emails with the original format and attachments, click on HTML format (with attachments), then click on OK when asked.
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Step 6. Select a folder for saving
Click on the folder where you want to save the backup.
- For example, to save the backup folder on the desktop, click Desktop in the left part of this window.
- On Mac, click "Where" if necessary before selecting a folder.
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Step 7. Click Select Folder in the lower right part of the window
In this way, you confirm the folder you have chosen and create the backup of your e-mails in that path. At the end of the operation, you will be able to view the messages by opening the main folder, then the backup folder and double clicking on the email you are interested in.
On Mac, click on Select.
Method 3 of 3: Back Up a Profile
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Step 1. Learn what profile backup is for
Your Thunderbird profile (i.e. the email account you use) stores your account settings, inbox index and other information. If you want to be able to restore your profile in the event of a Thunderbird error, you need to backup your profile folder.
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Step 2. Open Thunderbird
Click on the Thunderbird app icon, depicting a blue bird flying over a white envelope.
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Step 3. Click ☰ in the upper right corner of the Thunderbird window
A menu will appear.
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Step 4. Select Help
You will see this item in the newly appeared menu. Select it and a window will open with another menu.
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Step 5. Click on Troubleshoot in the menu
A new tab will open.
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Step 6. Click Open Folder
You will see this button to the right of "Profile folder".
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Step 7. Click on the Profiles folder
You will find it among the first in the File Explorer window that has just opened.
Skip this step on Mac; the "Profiles" folder should already be open on the left side of Finder
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Step 8. Copy your profile
Click once on the folder you want to copy, then press Ctrl + C (Windows) or ⌘ Command + C (Mac).
If you see multiple folders, click one, press Ctrl + A (Windows) or ⌘ Command + A (Mac), then copy them all
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Step 9. Close Thunderbird
The program must be closed, otherwise you will not be able to copy the files.
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Step 10. Paste the folder you copied
Navigate to the path where you want to save the profile backup (for example an external disk), click on an empty space in the window and press Ctrl + V or ⌘ Command + V to paste the folder.