Current plugins and programs for Mozilla Firefox ® and others. Mozilla Thunderbird: Recover emails, contacts and mail profile Create backups of mac thunderbird profiles

The article details how to create a backup copy of Thunderbird data and restore Thunderbird data from a backup. How to recover a lost Thunderbird profile and find a lost address Email in the INBOX file, etc. Thunderbird is a free, fast, secure and easy-to-use cross-platform email client from Mozilla.

It is very popular among users; a large amount of data is collected in the Thunderbird profile, which can be lost in the event of a program failure, virus activity, or computer failure, as well as trivial Windows reinstallation. How not to lose or restore Mozilla Thunderbird profile data if lost?

Content:

Thunderbird Profile Files

In the profile, Mozilla Thunderbird saves all the client's user settings, as well as passwords, address books, extensions and, in its own words, the email message files themselves. Unlike other email clients (such as Outlook), Thunderbird does not save all profile information in one file. This is a folder with a specific set of files and folders responsible for the operation of the email client and saving its data.

The Thunderbird profile is created during the first launch of the program and is saved by default in the folder:

C:\Users\ Username\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles

In our case, the folder with profile files is named q246yl6l.default, Where "q246yl6l" is an arbitrary set of characters generated by the program itself.

A Thunderbird user profile consists of a specific list of files and folders, such as:

abook.mab/history.mab– files that contain the address book of the mail client;
cert8.db/key3.db/secmod.db– database files of certificates and certificate keys;
localstore.rdf– a file of the location and size of windows that are defined by the user;
mailViews.dat– file of message viewing modes;
panacea.dat– a mail folder cache file that displays the mail client folder tree;
prefs.js– Mozills Thunderbird main configuration file;

and others.

In addition to these files, the profile folder contains a certain set of folders, among which two can be distinguished:

Mail– the folder in which POP3 mail accounts are stored by default, with the files for each account stored in a separate subdirectory.

ImapMail– the folder in which IMAP mail accounts are stored by default. Each account's files are also stored in a separate subdirectory here.

It is in these two folders that all user correspondence, incoming and outgoing messages are stored. Moreover, each mailbox folder has a separate *.msf file, with the same name that this folder has in the mail client itself and the online mailbox.

Backing up your Thunderbird data

Mozilla Thunderbird does not have built-in tools for creating a backup copy of user profile data or correspondence files. Therefore, if it is necessary to transfer the user profile to another computer or the computer or operating system fails for some reason, there are two options - use a third-party software or creating a profile backup manually.

For this:

How to restore Thunderbird data from backup

For this:

To make it easier to restore a backup copy of your Mozilla Thunderbird profile in case of loss, it is recommended to create an archive file (.zip or .rar) from a copy of the profile folder. In this case, restoring the profile will be reduced to restoring a single file, and not a folder with files. In particularly complex cases of data loss, after a complete analysis, the user will be able to search for it among those detected by the data recovery program by file name.

How to change where profile data is stored (profiles.ini file)

If you need to move your Thunderbird profile to another location or use a profile that is located in another folder or on another computer drive (for example, a previously created backup copy of the profile), then this is also feasible.

The path for storing Mozilla Thunderbird profile files is specified in the profiles.ini file, which is located in the folder:
C:\Users\ Username\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird

To change the profile location, open with text editor file profiles.ini and specify in it the new path to the Thunderbird profile folder. The path to the profile is indicated in the line Path=. After changing the path to the profile storage location, also change the value in the line IsRelative=1 on IsRelative=0. Save and close the file profiles.ini and then launch Thunderbird.

File profiles.ini with default data:

File profiles.ini with changes made to the location of the profile:

As mentioned above, all user correspondence is stored in encrypted form in files with the same names as mailbox folders. Such files are stored in the profile folder in subdirectories called Mail and ImapMail.

All information in such files is encrypted by the email client. But the addresses of mailboxes (email) to which messages were sent or received are not encrypted.
Therefore, if for some reason the user has irretrievably lost access to his Thunderbird profile, then opening it using a text editor required file mailbox folders, you can find and restore the necessary emails in it.

For example, if you need to recover email addresses ending in “…@site” from the INBOX folder, then just enter “site” in the text editor’s search and it will display all detected addresses with that ending.

Every user values his email correspondence, because in addition to spam, there are also important messages. And in order not to lose them, it is not enough to have copies on mail server, it is important to store the archive on your computer.

The problem can be solved if you use an email client. Practice shows that programs in this category have little popularity among ordinary users, but the advantages of receiving and sending in this way are obvious.

Backup Mozilla Thunderbird Mail

We remember or copy the local address for further navigation on it. Afterwards, close the window with parameters and the email client itself. We go to the found address and copy the profile file. How do you understand, to restore Mailbox in another “Mozilla Thunderbird”, you should replace the existing file with a previously copied one (or change the path to the “Local directory” where the data is stored).

Backup mail with MozBackup

The previous article described the technique using an example Mozilla Firefox. But since the program is designed to work with all Mozilla products, it will not be difficult to create an archive and an email client. And thanks to the fact that backup is performed selectively, we can archive only messages, or all accounting information at once!

Then select the current program profile (by default “default”). And below we indicate the path to save the copy file (for example, a removable drive). And again “Next”, after which the utility will ask you to set a password for created file(at your discretion).

The next window is full list available copy locations. Check the required boxes (or leave the default - all). And click “Next” to start the copying process.

We are waiting for the completion of “MozBackup”, which is accompanied by a visual display of progress.

After which, the final window will notify you that the file is ready. Click the “Exit” button and the copy of the email client is ready.

Is there a terminal command that creates a backup address book thunderbird?

I would like to create a cron entry for it. Please note that I want to back up my address book, not my entire profile.

Mozilla Address Book .mab

Open Thunderbird >

Mozilla Address Book .mab

Backup GUI Address Books

It is recommended to do it regularly backups all of your Thunderbird application data, including mail files, address books, and account settings so that you can restore your full profile(s) if this becomes necessary.

Additionally, you can sometimes create separate backups of all your address books by exporting them as LDIF files. This way, if your address books ever become corrupted, you will still have a separate backup that you can import into any Thunderbird profile. To do this, export each address book as an LDIF file using the procedure above, and then burn the LDIF files to a CD or save them to another storage location.

To export your address book:

Open Thunderbird > Tools - Address Book * In the Address Book window, select the address book that you want to export. * Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Export...". * Enter a name for the address book, select "LDIF" from the drop-down list, choose where on your computer you want to save the address book, and then click to save the file.

Backup GUI Address Books

Your address book stored in your profile to see where it is running:

Mozilla Address Book .mab

Backup GUI Address Books

To export your address book:

] sudo locate * .mab -> find something like abook.mab
Blockquote>
Mozilla Address Book .mab

Backup GUI Address Books

It is recommended that you regularly back up all of your Thunderbird application data, including mail files, address books, and account settings, so that you can restore your full profile(s) if this becomes necessary.

Additionally, you can sometimes create separate backups of all your address books by exporting them as LDIF files. This way, if your address books ever become corrupted, you'll still have a separate backup that you can import into any Thunderbird profile. To do this, export each address book as an LDIF file using the procedure above, and then burn the LDIF files to a CD or save them to another storage location.

To export your address book:
Open Thunderbird > Tools - Address Book * In the Address Book window, select the address book you want to export. * Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Export...". * Enter the address book name, select "LDIF" from the drop-down list, select where on your computer you want to save the address book, and then click to save the file.
Command-Line Address Book Backup

Your address book in your profile to see where it is running:

] sudo locate * .mab -> find something like abook.mab
Blockquote>
Mozilla Address Book .mab

Backup GUI Address Books

It is recommended that you regularly back up all of your Thunderbird application data, including mail files, address books, and account settings, so that you can restore your full profile(s) if this becomes necessary.

Additionally, you can sometimes create separate backups of all your address books by exporting them as LDIF files. This way, if your address books ever become corrupted, you'll still have a separate backup that you can import into any Thunderbird profile. To do this, export each address book as an LDIF file using the procedure above, and then burn the LDIF files to a CD or save them to another storage location.

To export your address book:
Open Thunderbird > Tools - Address Book * In the Address Book window, select the address book you want to export. * Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Export...". * Enter the address book name, select "LDIF" from the drop-down list, select where on your computer you want to save the address book, and then click to save the file.
Command-Line Address Book Backup

Your address book in your profile to see where it is running:

] sudo locate * .mab -> find something like abook.mab
Blockquote>
Mozilla Address Book .mab

Backup GUI Address Books

It is recommended that you regularly back up all of your Thunderbird application data, including mail files, address books, and account settings, so that you can restore your full profile(s) if this becomes necessary.

Additionally, you can sometimes create separate backups of all your address books by exporting them as LDIF files. This way, if your address books ever become corrupted, you'll still have a separate backup that you can import into any Thunderbird profile. To do this, export each address book as an LDIF file using the procedure above, and then burn the LDIF files to a CD or save them to another storage location.

To export your address book:
Open Thunderbird > Tools - Address Book * In the Address Book window, select the address book you want to export. * Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Export...". * Enter the address book name, select "LDIF" from the drop-down list, select where on your computer you want to save the address book, and then click to save the file.
Command-Line Address Book Backup

Your address book in your profile to see where it is running:

] sudo locate * .mab -> find something like abook.mab
Blockquote>
Mozilla Address Book .mab

Backup GUI Address Books

It is recommended that you regularly back up all of your Thunderbird application data, including mail files, address books, and account settings, so that you can restore your full profile(s) if this becomes necessary.

Additionally, you can sometimes create separate backups of all your address books by exporting them as LDIF files. This way, if your address books ever become corrupted, you'll still have a separate backup that you can import into any Thunderbird profile. To do this, export each address book as an LDIF file using the procedure above, and then burn the LDIF files to a CD or save them to another storage location.

To export your address book:
Open Thunderbird > Tools - Address Book * In the Address Book window, select the address book you want to export. * Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Export...". * Enter the address book name, select "LDIF" from the drop-down list, select where on your computer you want to save the address book, and then click to save the file.
Command-Line Address Book Backup

Your address book in your profile to see where it is running:

] sudo locate * .mab -> find something like abook.mab
Blockquote>
Mozilla Address Book .mab

Backup GUI Address Books

It is recommended that you regularly back up all of your Thunderbird application data, including mail files, address books, and account settings, so that you can restore your full profile(s) if this becomes necessary.

Additionally, you can sometimes create separate backups of all your address books by exporting them as LDIF files. This way, if your address books ever become corrupted, you'll still have a separate backup that you can import into any Thunderbird profile. To do this, export each address book as an LDIF file using the procedure above, and then burn the LDIF files to a CD or save them to another storage location.

To export your address book:
Open Thunderbird > Tools - Address Book * In the Address Book window, select the address book you want to export. * Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Export...". * Enter the address book name, select "LDIF" from the drop-down list, select where on your computer you want to save the address book, and then click to save the file.
Command-Line Address Book Backup

Your address book in your profile to see where it is running:

] sudo locate * .mab -> find something like abook.mab
Blockquote>
Mozilla Address Book .mab

Backup GUI Address Books

It is recommended that you regularly back up all of your Thunderbird application data, including mail files, address books, and account settings, so that you can restore your full profile(s) if this becomes necessary.

Additionally, you can sometimes create separate backups of all your address books by exporting them as LDIF files. This way, if your address books ever become corrupted, you'll still have a separate backup that you can import into any Thunderbird profile. To do this, export each address book as an LDIF file using the procedure above, and then burn the LDIF files to a CD or save them to another storage location.

To export your address book:
Open Thunderbird > Tools - Address Book * In the Address Book window, select the address book you want to export. * Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Export...". * Enter the address book name, select "LDIF" from the drop-down list, select where on your computer you want to save the address book, and then click to save the file.
Command-Line Address Book Backup

Your address book in your profile to see where it is running:

] sudo locate * .mab -> find something like abook.mab
Blockquote>

for something like this
Yo can use bash script. Check this link. There is a script to ensure your thunderbird directory is backed up. This folder should also contain your address book. The author also provides instructions for setting up this script as cron.

Note: The script creates a backup of your complete folder. You should configure this line
Tar zcf thunderb-mail-$(x).tgz ~roger/.thunderbird
for something like this
Tar zcf thunderb-mail-$(x).tgz ~/.thunderbird/youradressbookfilename.mab
And it will simply backup your address book file.
Yo can use bash script. Check this link. There is a script to ensure your thunderbird directory is backed up. This folder should also contain your address book. The author also provides instructions for setting up this script as cron.

Note: The script creates a backup of your complete folder. You should configure this line
Tar zcf thunderb-mail-$(x).tgz ~roger/.thunderbird
for something like this
Tar zcf thunderb-mail-$(x).tgz ~/.thunderbird/youradressbookfilename.mab
And it will simply backup your address book file.
Yo can use bash script. Check this link. There is a script to ensure your thunderbird directory is backed up. This folder should also contain your address book. The author also provides instructions for setting up this script as cron.

Note: The script creates a backup of your complete folder. You should configure this line
Tar zcf thunderb-mail-$(x).tgz ~roger/.thunderbird
for something like this
Tar zcf thunderb-mail-$(x).tgz ~/.thunderbird/youradressbookfilename.mab
And it will simply backup your address book file.

Program MozBackup(Mozilla Backup) completely free, without advertising modules, has small size, multilingual interface (separate language translation file), including Russian.

MozBackup(Mozilla Backup) creates backup copies of the following application profiles:

Firefox, Thunderbird, Sunbird, Flock, Postbox (Express), SeaMonkey, Mozilla Suite, Spicebird, Songbird, Netscape, Wyzo.

Saves mail, bookmarks, address books, passwords, etc.

Runs on OS Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7.

MozBackup Developer (Mozilla Backup) - Pavel Cvrcek

Where is the Mozilla Firefox profile located. see Firefox profile page

Which profile files can be copied manually can be read in the article - “Profile files for copying”.

Official website: mozbackup.jasnapaka.com (English version, the site has separately downloadable language localization files)

Russian-language project MozBackup(Mozilla Backup): Artyom Larionov

Program website: http://mozutil.mozilla-russia.org

License: program free for non-commercial use.

"Save / Restore" browser profile program MozBackup.

When starting the program MozBackup A window will open where you need to select the necessary program options.

Select operation " Save/Restore". Select an application profile in the list. Click the " button Further".

Select a profile to save. Set the save path using the " button Review". Press the " button Further".

(Not) Install archive password. Press the button "Yes (No)".

Select components for the archive. Press the button " Further".

The process execution window will open. Press the button " Exit".

The profile is saved to a file with the extension: .pcv. It can be opened with any archive manager, for example the program

Linux users who use the Thunderbird email client know that the program does not have a built-in method for Reserve copy all profiles in Linux. As a result, users tend to backup emails and user account data must look for an external Thunderbird profile backup solution.

Thunderbird Profile Backup

Fortunately, the solution is not very difficult, since all user data of the program is located in one folder in /Home/ If you want to keep all your configured add-ons and accounts, you will need to move some files. To start with a backup, you'll need to open a terminal window. From here use tar commands to create a complete bz2 archive ~/.thunderbird folder.

Note. Electronic program Thunderbird mail defines profiles in /Home/ If you want to back up multiple user profiles, you need to log in account each user and run the compression command.

Tar -jcvf thunderbird-email-profile.tar.bz2. thunderbird
Compression is usually quite fast. In some cases, this can take a long time, especially if you have a lot of data in your profile. When the compression is complete, you will see a file named “thunderbird-email-profile.tar.bz2”. This archive contains all the email data, add-ons, etc. about your Thunderbird email client. Feel free to grab this archive and upload it to your Dropbox, Google Drive or even to your home file server.

Please be aware that this archive is completely unprotected and if it falls into the wrong hands, anyone could have instant access to your old emails and various accounts. Later in this article we will look at how to properly encrypt and store this data. If you're not going to encrypt your backup, please at least use a secure password and don't share the archive with anyone!

How to Backup and Restore Google Chrome Profile on Linux

Backup encryption

There are many ways to encode your Thunderbird backup, but probably The best way- use GnuPG. This is the standard encryption tool throughout Linux, and you probably already have it installed on your Linux machine. To use it, open a terminal window and type "gpg".

Typing "gpg" in the terminal without any other warnings will warn you that you "did not supply the command". Using GPG without any command arguments is ok. This lets you know that you have GPG on your PC. If you don't, look into your package manager (or install the software in your operating system Linux) and search for "gpg" or "GnuPG" and install it.

Then enter this command to encrypt your profile backup.
Gpg -c thunderbird-email-profile.tar.bz2
When you run this command, you will see a prompt asking the user to enter a password. Be sure to use a secure, memorable passcode that no one can easily guess.

When the file is fully encrypted, delete the original file as petrel-mail-profile.tar.bz2 Now petrel-mail-profile.tar.bz2.gpg.
Rm thunderbird-email-profile.tar.bz2
Once the encryption process is completed, the backup data will be secure and no one except you will be able to access it. Feel free to download it anywhere.

Decrypting a backup

Encryption and decryption with GnuPG works in much the same way, as the user must provide a command and password to lock or unlock files. To decrypt a GPG file on your Linux PC, open a terminal window and use the CD command to navigate to the folder where the backup is located. In this example it is in /Home/.
Inside /Home/ directory, use ls to make sure the thunderbird-email-profile.tar.bz2.gpg file exists. If the file is missing from that directory and has moved, consider running this command to find it:
Find thunderbird-email-profile.tar.bz2.gpg
Using the gpg command, decrypt a locked file.
Gpg thunderbird-email-profile.tar.bz2.gpg
When decryption is complete, restart ls to open the decrypted archive. Your /Home/ the folder should have both thunderbird-email-profile.tar.bz2.gpg and thunderbird-email-profile.tar.bz2.

Feel free to extract the thunderbird-email-profile.tar.bz2 file and delete the thunderbird-email-profile.tar.bz2.gpg file if you no longer want to block it. Otherwise, save both files and delete the tar.bz2 archive when you're done using it.

Restoring a backup

After decrypting the Thunderbird archive, you can restore the backup. Keep in mind that if you are doing this on a new computer, you may need to uninstall. petrel a directory that already exists.

Note. Removing this folder is necessary because it contains most of the Linux distributions that choose to ship Thunderbird.

To remove it, run the following command:
Rm -rf ~/.thunderbird
Once you delete the default profile folder, extract the backup.
Tar -xvf thunderbird-email-profile.tar.bz2
Everything should be extracted inside the .thunderbird directory /Home/ If this is not the case, use mv move it out of the parent folder (if that happens).
Cd ~/thunderbird-email-profile mv .thunderbird ~/rm thunderbird-email-profile