You could use ImportExportTools addon. * https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/ download file to eg: desktop To install addon: In Thunderbird * Tools > addons * click on gear wheel icon * select; Install addon from file * locate the file you downloaded and click on Open You may need to restart Thunderbird. To use the tool: * Right click on folder - select 'ImportExporttools > Export folder note: If Pop mail account - no worries as everything is stored in TB profile. If IMAP mail account, make sure all subscribed folders were synchronised to get an mbox copy in the Profile folder as subscribed folders (not synchronised) only download headers. Then go offline mode (this temporarilly stops synchronising) to Export them. When all folders are exported, you can copy then to a suitable medium eg: usb stick, so that your friend can copy them to another computer. Your friend could use the same addon to Import those folders into Thunderbird after creating the mail account. When you have exported all of the folders with emails, you could remove the mail account. * Tools > account Settings * select the mail account * click on 'Account actions' * select 'Remove account' * click on OK You may then need to also remove them from your Profile folder. Help > Troubleshooting Information click on 'show Folder' a window opens showing Profile folder. You might need to make hidden files and folders visible to see these files. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders Close Thunderbird now this is important. click on 'Mail' folder (has pop mail accounts and Local folders) or ImapMail fo IMAP folders and look for and delete your friends mail account name folder. then restart Thunderbird.