A low-key solution might be to zip the downloaded folder (e.g., INBOX and INBOX.msf) and upload to an cloud server such as dropbox so she can download. Once she has it, she can, (with thunderbird not running), copy to her Local profile and have access to the messages when she restarts thunderbird.

Thanks so much David.

I'm sorry if this is redundant but just so I understand:

A low-key solution might be to zip the downloaded folder (e.g., INBOX and INBOX.msf) and upload to a cloud server such as dropbox so she can download. Would I be using the ImportExportToolsNG to export it? Would I use "Export folder (zipped)" or "Export all messages in the folder", which means I would have to select a format (EML, HTML, etc.). There is a dropbox that the org uses for files so just want to make sure I export in the correct file type.

Once she has it, she can, (with thunderbird not running), copy to her Local profile and have access to the messages when she restarts thunderbird. Can you explain this process a bit more? She would use dropbox to upload the emails into her own local profile on to Thunderbird, and then they will upload once she restarts/runs it?

- Use importexport to export folder zipped. - upload to dropbox - she would download to her PC - unzip the file - she would click help>moretroubleshootinginformation - scroll down to 'profile folder' and click 'open profile' - then exit thunderbird, this will leave her in the profile - local folders are at Mail\Local Folders - that is where she is to copy the file, e.g.,

       Mail\Local Folders\thenamedfile

- start thunderbird and messages will be in Local Folders section

I suggest you walk through that process yourself to better see what she will see.

Thank you David! Like you suggested, I'm walking through the process myself and you're losing me a bit in the profile part.

I understand how to access the profiles (about:profiles), and I have a couple profiles in there. But how do the email files end up in the profile? Maybe I'm missing a step somewhere between these steps?

-she would download to her PC - unzip the file - she would click help>moretroubleshootinginformation

Is unzipping of the file happening via Thunderbird or in the PC? (sorry I know that's a basic question).

Please reread my instructions. I made no mention of 'about:profiiles.' Walk through again and it should be clearer. The unzip function is a Windows process, separate from Thunderbird. You might want to duplicate the full process to understand it. Zipping the file to her may not be necessary; that was my thought on ensuring she received intact. You might want to try without zipping to see if that works.

re :1) It seems that given the large volume of emails something (maybe gmail) is preventing the emails from being copied back into the org email (or really any gmail). Is there a way to fix this?

If you are copying emails back emails onto the org gmail mail account then there are limits which gmail impose. So if you have a lot of emails you are trying to upload then yes, it is going to take a while. You can only upload a certain amount each day. You can persist with this and it will work, but it will take time. See info: https://support.google.com/a/answer/1071518?hl=en

2) Is there another way I can share/copy the emails via some other device/program that will allow the org to read and access the emails (i.e, external hard drive, but not sure what format the export would need to be for them to be able to access/read the emails?)

david has already mentioned one method, but you do not need to export a profile. It contains tons of information the recipient does not need and then they would have to work out where the emails are stored and may still need to convert them.

Thunderbird stores emails in mbox text files. It is possible to export in various formats. Regarding the person who wants the emails returned to the organisation - do they use Thunderbird ? If no, what email client are they using or do they use webmail only ? But to be honest, if you supply the files containing emails then you have done your duty. It would be their problem on how they put the emails back on the server. But it would be helpful to provide them in a format which is preferable.

If you want to send all emails in a .eml format. Do the following to get a folder containing a load of individual emails in .eml format.

If you have all the emails in a Thunderbird folder - lets call it 'OldMail' folder because I have no idea where you have put them.

Create a new folder on your desktop called 'OrgEmails'

In Thunderbird

• Select the 'OldMail' folder (whatever folder has the organisation emails)
• Click on first email in the Message List to get focus on list
• Hold down 'Ctrl' key and press 'A' key - This highlights all the emails in the folder.
• Right click on highlighted emails and select 'Save as'
• Window opens asking where to save - locate Desktop and select the 'OrgEmails' folder in list
• click on 'Select Folder' button

All the emails you highlighted will now get copied as individual emails with .eml extension into the folder on the desktop called 'OrgEmails'. Allow a little time for this process to complete if you have a lot of emails in that selected folder.

Now convert to a zip folder:

• Right click on 'OrgEmails' folder and select 'Send to' and choose compressed zip option.
• You should have a 'OrgEmail.zip' folder containing all emails and it's probably half the size of the original 'OrgEmails' folder.

Alternative option - access file that contains all the emails and create a copy. On desktop create a folder called 'OrgEmails'

In Thunderbird:

• Menu icon > Help > More Troubleshooting Information
• Half way down is 'Profile Folder' - click on 'Show in Finder'

A window opens showing contents of your profile name folder.

• Exit Thunderbird now - this is important.

If you have the emails in a POP or 'Local Folders' mail account:

• click on 'Mail' folder

If you have emails in an Imap account:

• click on 'ImapMail' folder

• click on mail account name folder
• locate the mbox file which has same name as the folder that contains emails - let's pretend it's called 'OldMail'. The mbox file that contains all the emails will not have any extension.
• Right click on relevant mbox file and select 'Copy'
• Paste that copy into the folder called 'OrgEmails'

Convert 'OrgEmails' folder to a zip folder:

• Right click on 'OrgEmails' folder and select 'Send to' and choose compressed zip option.
• You should have a 'OrgEmail.zip' folder containing all emails and it's probably half the size of the original 'OrgMails' folder.

You now have two options send either a mbox file or eml files. Have you ever used dropbox or filelink? You should read this info on how to send email which has a large attachment

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/filelink-large-attachments

You can set up a filelink provider via:

• Menu icon > Settings > Composition
• scroll to bottom to locate 'Attachments' section

Not to confuse the original poster, I believe @Toad-Hall and I are giving similar advice: just send the mail folder, and zip it.