Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

manually copy profile from TB68 to TB78

  • 5 cavab
  • 2 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by sfhowes

more options

Hello, I understand that the TB78 version manages profiles and their data using a new format, as this page suggests: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1307013 "This is because version 78 reformatted all the .mab files as .sqlite files."

I don't have the TB68 installation file and it's not available on the "https://www.thunderbird.net/fr/" site. So I am forced to download TB78, the only one available on the site. Why not offer the older versions? Weird. My question: How do I get my TB68 profile directory back on my new hard drive with the TB78 imposed? You have to necessarily use a "downgraded" version with the command line "thunderbird.exe-P--allow-downgrade" (knowing that another impossible page to find explained that the setting "-P" launches the profile manager and that this is not useful for a single profile)? I prefer to get my TB68 profile back and not degrade the future TB78. This should be possible since this seems to be done automatically when TB updates take place automatically. But how to do it manually?

That's a little long. But no longer than my despair tonight. Thank you for your help

Hello, I understand that the TB78 version manages profiles and their data using a new format, as this page suggests: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1307013 "This is because version 78 reformatted all the .mab files as .sqlite files." I don't have the TB68 installation file and it's not available on the "https://www.thunderbird.net/fr/" site. So I am forced to download TB78, the only one available on the site. Why not offer the older versions? Weird. My question: How do I get my TB68 profile directory back on my new hard drive with the TB78 imposed? You have to necessarily use a "downgraded" version with the command line "thunderbird.exe-P--allow-downgrade" (knowing that another impossible page to find explained that the setting "-P" launches the profile manager and that this is not useful for a single profile)? I prefer to get my TB68 profile back and not degrade the future TB78. This should be possible since this seems to be done automatically when TB updates take place automatically. But how to do it manually? That's a little long. But no longer than my despair tonight. Thank you for your help

Chosen solution

Older versions are available here: https://archive.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/

To run 68 on a profile that was opened in 78, close TB, Windowskey+R, type thunderbird.exe -p --allow-downgrade and select the correct profile. Report here if your address books are not recognized.

Read this answer in context 👍 2

All Replies (5)

more options

Seçilmiş Həll

Older versions are available here: https://archive.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/

To run 68 on a profile that was opened in 78, close TB, Windowskey+R, type thunderbird.exe -p --allow-downgrade and select the correct profile. Report here if your address books are not recognized.

more options

thank you very much sfhowes very good ! archive is what i need !

more options

Pity I didn't find this earlier. I didn't know about the allow downgrade option and I have just spend a couple of hours rebuilding my profile after TB upgraded to 78 without asking me.

more options

'Report here if your address books are not recognized'

   No address books showing after downgrade...
more options

gsgg said

'Report here if your address books are not recognized' No address books showing after downgrade...

Open the profile folder, close TB, move abook.mab and history.mab to a different folder, rename abook.mab.bak to abook.mab, history.mab.bak to history.mab. Restart TB.