This wikiHow teaches you how to create a backup folder for emails from Mozilla Thunderbird.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Installing the ImportExportTools. Add-on
Step 1. Open Thunderbird
Click or double-click the Thunderbird icon, which looks like a blue bird on top of a white envelope.
Step 2. Click
It's in the upper-right corner of the window. A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 3. Select Add-ons
This option is in the drop-down menu. Once selected, a pop-out menu will open.
Step 4. Click Add-ons
It's in the pop-out menu. The "Add-ons Manager" tab will be opened after that.
Step 5. Look for the ImportExportTools add-on
Click the search bar in the upper-right corner of the window, then type importexporttools and press Enter.
Step 6. Click Add to Thunderbird
It's to the right of the " ImportExportTools " heading.
Step 7. Click Install Now when prompted
The ImportExportTools add-on will soon be installed into Thunderbird.
Step 8. Click Restart Now when prompted
It's at the top of the window. The Thunderbird program will close and reopen. At this point, you can export your emails.
If Thunderbird is restarted in safe mode, click “ Exit ” when prompted and reopen Thunderbird before proceeding to the next step.
Part 2 of 3: Exporting Email
Step 1. Find the inbox you want to use
In the upper-left corner of the Thunderbird window, find the email address you want to use, then find the "Inbox" folder under the email address.
Step 2. Right-click the inbox
A drop-down menu will appear after that.
On a Mac, hold down the Control key while clicking the inbox
Step 3. Select ImportExportTools
This option is in the drop-down menu. A pop-out menu will appear after that.
Step 4. Select Export all messages in the folder
It's at the top of the pop-out menu. A list of the various export file formats will be displayed.
Step 5. Select the file type
Click the file type that you want to use to back up your emails. Depending on the purpose of the backup, you may need to follow one of the following steps:
- If you want to import your email backup into the Thunderbird program on another computer, select the option “ EML format ”.
- If you want to read the email in its original format and attachments, click “ HTML format (with attachments) " and select " OK ” when prompted.
Step 6. Select the storage folder
Click the backup folder storage directory.
- For example, to save a backup folder on the desktop, click “ Desktop ” on the left side of the window.
- On Mac computers, you may need to click the " Where " drop-down box before you can select the desired storage directory.
Step 7. Click Select Folder
It's in the lower-right corner of the window. The selected folder will be confirmed and emails will be backed up to that folder. Once the backup process is complete, you can view it by opening the folder, opening the backup folder, and double-clicking the email you want to view.
On a Mac computer, click “ Choose ”.
Part 3 of 3: Backing Up Profile
Step 1. Understand the profile backup function in Thunderbird
A Thunderbird profile (i.e. email account used) stores account settings, inbox index, and other aspects. If you want to restore your profile to Thunderbird in case the program crashes at any time, you will need to back up your profile folder.
Step 2. Open Thunderbird
Click or double-click the Thunderbird icon, which looks like a blue bird on top of a white envelope.
Step 3. Click
It's in the upper-right corner of the Thunderbird inbox window. A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 4. Select Help
You can see this option in the drop-down menu. After that, a pop-out menu will be opened.
Step 5. Click Troubleshooting Information
It's in the pop-out menu. A new tab will be opened after that.
Step 6. Click Open Folder
This option is to the right of the "Profile Folder" heading.
Step 7. Click the name of the Profiles folder
This folder is at the top of the File Explorer window.
Skip this step if you are using a Mac computer. The "Profiles" folder will open on the left side of the Finder window
Step 8. Copy the profile
Single-click the folder you want to copy, then press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac).
If multiple folders appear, click a folder, press Ctrl+A (Windows) or Command+A (Mac), and copy the selected folders
Step 9. Close the Thunderbird window
The Thunderbird program must be closed in order for you to copy all files.
Step 10. Paste the copied folder
Visit the profile's backup storage directory (eg external hard drive), click an empty field in the window, and press Ctrl+V or Command+V to paste the profile folder.
