{"id":28778,"date":"2025-12-31T11:15:58","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T11:15:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adviksoft.com\/blog\/?p=28778"},"modified":"2026-09-28T13:25:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T13:25:55","slug":"backup-thunderbird-emails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adviksoft.com\/blog\/backup-thunderbird-emails\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Backup Thunderbird Emails: Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Quick Answer:<\/strong> The most complete way to backup Thunderbird emails is to close Thunderbird and copy its entire profile folder to another storage location. On Windows, Thunderbird profiles are typically stored under %APPDATA%\\Thunderbird\\Profiles\\; on macOS, they are under ~\/Library\/Thunderbird\/Profiles\/. If you only need the emails as files, use ImportExportTools NG to export messages as EML or MBOX. For PST or PDF output, use a dedicated Thunderbird converter.<\/p>\n

Thunderbird stores it’s email, folders, attachments and account information on your local machine. Creating a backup gives you a copy that can be restored if the profile gets corrupted, computer is replaced or Thunderbird data is lost accidentally.<\/p>\n

The best backup process depends on what you want to save. You can backup your entire Thunderbird profile or save individual emails in EML\/MBOX format or convert Thunderbird mailbox data into other format like PST or PDF.<\/p>\n

Tested with Thunderbird:<\/strong> Confirm the exact version of Thunderbird and operating system used for the final test before publishing this line.<\/p>\n

Which Thunderbird Backup Do You Need?<\/h2>\n

Before you make a backup, the first thing you need to decide is whether you want to back up the whole Thunderbird environment or only the e-mail messages.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
What You Want to Back Up<\/th>\nRecommended Method<\/th>\nOutput<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Complete Thunderbird data<\/td>\nCopy the Thunderbird profile<\/td>\nComplete profile folder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Only selected emails<\/td>\nImportExportTools NG<\/td>\nEML or another supported email format<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Entire mailbox as email files<\/td>\nImportExportTools NG<\/td>\nEML\/MBOX, depending on the selected export option<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Regular Thunderbird backup<\/td>\nProfile backup plus an external backup process<\/td>\nCopy of the Thunderbird profile<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thunderbird to Multiple Options<\/td>\nDedicated Thunderbird converter<\/td>\nMultiple Saving Options<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

If you want to be able to restore Thunderbird back to the way it was, backup the whole profile. If you want to archive or share individual emails, then exporting emails as different file formats may be enough.<\/p>\n

Method 1: Backup the Complete Thunderbird Profile Folder<\/h3>\n

The Thunderbird profile is the most full local backup option as it contains the data Thunderbird uses for your profile including locally stored mail and account \/ profile configuration.<\/p>\n

You must close Thunderbird completely before copying the profile. This reduces the risk of copying files while Thunderbird is writing data.<\/p>\n

Find the Thunderbird profile on Windows<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thunderbird profiles are usually located in: Windows:<\/p>\n

%APPDATA%\\Thunderbird\\Profiles<\/em><\/p>\n

To open the location:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Shut Thunderbird.<\/li>\n
  2. Press Windows + R. Type: %APPDATA%\\Thunderbird\\Profiles\\<\/li>\n
  3. Hit the Enter key.<\/li>\n
  4. Find the profile folder.<\/li>\n
  5. Copy the profile folder you want to use.<\/li>\n
  6. Copy it to an external hard drive, USB drive, another internal drive or some other secure backup.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you are backing up the entire Thunderbird configuration, you can also back up the Thunderbird data from the parent Thunderbird directory.<\/p>\n

    Method 2: Backup Thunderbird Emails as Files Using ImportExportTools NG<\/h3>\n

    If you don\u2019t need the entire Thunderbird profile and just want copies of your email messages, an email export add-on such as ImportExportTools NG can be useful.<\/p>\n

    This is the option you want if you want individual email files or mailbox exports that are separate from the Thunderbird profile.<\/p>\n

    Steps to back up Thunderbird emails<\/strong><\/p>\n

    1. Open the Thunderbird application on your system.<\/p>\n

    2. Press the Alt button and choose Tools >> Themes & Add-ons.<\/p>\n

    3. Search for ImportExportTools NG and add it to your application.<\/p>\n

    \"Add<\/p>\n

    4. Now right-click on the email folder you want to export.<\/p>\n

    5. Select ImportExportTools NG >> Export Messages ina Folder >> Select File formats.<\/p>\n

    \"Export<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    6. Alternatively, you can also choose Export Folder (mbox) >> select option.<\/p>\n

    \"Save<\/p>\n

    7. Moreover, right-click on your email ID and export your complete profile.<\/p>\n

    \"Backup<\/p>\n

    That\u2019s it! Your Thunderbird emails will be save process may take some time depending on your mailbox size.<\/p>\n

    The precise wording of the menu, and the export options offered may vary with Thunderbird and the add-on version, so check the current interface of the add-on before publishing screenshots or exact menu labels.<\/p>\n

    profile backup vs export email<\/strong><\/p>\n

    It is important not to view the two approaches as one and the same.<\/p>\n

    A profile backup<\/strong> is utilised to save Thunderbird’s local profile data and configuration.<\/p>\n

    An email export<\/strong> is a focus on the messages and may not preserve the entire Thunderbird environment.<\/p>\n

    In general, when preparing for a computer replacement or a Thunderbird reinstallation, it makes more sense to do a full profile backup than to export individual messages.<\/p>\n

    How to Restore a Thunderbird Backup<\/h3>\n

    The only good backup is one you can get the data back from later. Make sure that your backup is there and contains the expected data before you delete the original Thunderbird profile.<\/p>\n

    Restore a complete Thunderbird profile<\/p>\n

    To recover at the profile level:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Exit Thunderbird.<\/li>\n
    2. Make a copy of the current profile before you replace anything.<\/li>\n
    3. Find the Thunderbird profile folder.<\/li>\n
    4. Select the back up profile you want to restore.<\/li>\n
    5. Use the existing profile management facility in Thunderbird to restore or attach the profile.<\/li>\n
    6. Open Thunderbird.<\/li>\n
    7. Review the mail folders and messages.<\/li>\n
    8. See attachments and other important information.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Do not replace a working Thunderbird profile without saving a copy of it first. If you are moving the profile to another computer or Thunderbird installation, the appropriate profile selection or migration procedure may depend upon the version of Thunderbird.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Method 3: How to Backup Thunderbird Emails in Multiple Saving Options?<\/h3>\n

      Sometimes “backup” means the user wants to have Thunderbird emails in a different format.<\/p>\n

      For example, you might want:<\/p>\n