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Deleted content from Local Folder

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  • Last reply by Herr Karl

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Dear all I helped a friend from moving from Windows to Linux. He used Thunderbird under Win and so I collected all servernames and account data from his three mail-accounts. What I did not mention and what he did not tell me is, that he -over the last 10 years always moved important mails out of his mailboxes and stored them in the so called "local folder" (in German "Lokale Ordner" at the end of the left window.

Of course he was shocked when he mentioned that those content was not there any longer.. after starting Linux for the first time (and after setting up his mailboxes)

Now, the good thing is, that there is a backup from last October. (made by his 16 years old son - he copied the complete thunderbird folder in the filesystem ... and did not use any internal backup-mechanisms) Can I use this "backup" to restore the "local folders" ? - if those local files are stored in this backup - and if yes, how I could retrieve them

I have a "tree-file" showing the complete structure of the thunderbird folder... tree.txt... But I am not allowed to upload it here, as there are only images allowed.

I kindly ask you for help. As mentioned we are talking about 10 years mails frommy friend... Andof course I helped him for free to move from Windows to Linux.

Yours Karl

Dear all I helped a friend from moving from Windows to Linux. He used Thunderbird under Win and so I collected all servernames and account data from his three mail-accounts. What I did not mention and what he did not tell me is, that he -over the last 10 years always moved important mails out of his mailboxes and stored them in the so called "local folder" (in German "Lokale Ordner" at the end of the left window. Of course he was shocked when he mentioned that those content was not there any longer.. after starting Linux for the first time (and after setting up his mailboxes) Now, the good thing is, that there is a backup from last October. (made by his 16 years old son - he copied the complete thunderbird folder in the filesystem ... and did not use any internal backup-mechanisms) Can I use this "backup" to restore the "local folders" ? - if those local files are stored in this backup - and if yes, how I could retrieve them I have a "tree-file" showing the complete structure of the thunderbird folder... tree.txt... But I am not allowed to upload it here, as there are only images allowed. I kindly ask you for help. As mentioned we are talking about 10 years mails frommy friend... Andof course I helped him for free to move from Windows to Linux. Yours Karl

Chosen solution

many many many many many thanks... this was so helpful. God bless you (or Buddha, or who ever  ;-) )

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On the Windows computer, locate the 'Local Folders' directory in the backup. It's inside the profile directory - Mail - Local Folders. Copy everything underneath Local Folders to a thumb drive. I.e. copy the *contents* of the 'Local Folders' directory, not the directory itself.

On the Linux computer, locate the Thunderbird profile. At the top right of the Thunderbird window, click the menu button ≡, then Help - Troubleshooting Info. Find 'Profile Directory' in the Troubleshooting Info - clock Open Folder. Close TB. Copy the data on the thumb drive into Mail/Local Folders. Restart TB, find the missing messages in Local Folders in the Folder Pane.

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Chosen Solution

many many many many many thanks... this was so helpful. God bless you (or Buddha, or who ever  ;-) )

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