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How to import adressbook out of an destroyed system ?

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  • Last reply by meinsz

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I need to import the Thunderbird adressbook out of an defect system into a new installation. I still have access to all files of the old system but where to find the Thunderbird adressbook ? I don't want to import the complete old profile... Thanks a lot for your help

I need to import the Thunderbird adressbook out of an defect system into a new installation. I still have access to all files of the old system but where to find the Thunderbird adressbook ? I don't want to import the complete old profile... Thanks a lot for your help

Chosen solution

Address books are stored in the Profile folder and they will have a .mab extension. Info on address books:

The two default address books, 'abook.mab' and 'history.mab' can be copy pasted from the old profile to the new profile, overwriting the empty default address books.. Other .mab files need to be exported and then imported. However, as you cannot export, you could use an addon extension to import them.

MoreFunctionsforAddressBooks - addon

download the xpi file to desktop or downloads folder. the download link is at the bottom of the page.

How to Install addon

  • Tools > Addons OR Menu icon > Addons
  • click on gear wheel icon and select ; Install addon from file'
  • locate the xpi file you downloaded and click on Open
  • Restart Thunderbird at the prompt

How to use addon to import mab files

  • click on 'Address Book'
  • Tools > MorefunctionforAddressBook > actions for address books > Import address book from mab file
  • Give the new address book a name and click on OK
  • locate the mab file in Profile and click on import/open.

Where is the Thunderbird Profile folder? The AppData folder is folder is a hidden folder; to show hidden folders, open a Windows Explorer window and choose "Organize → Folder and Search Options → Folder Options → View (tab) → Show hidden files and folders". More info - make hidden files and folders visible:

Windows Vista, 7 and 8 store Profile name folder here;

  • C:\Users\Windows user name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\Profile name\
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Chosen Solution

Address books are stored in the Profile folder and they will have a .mab extension. Info on address books:

The two default address books, 'abook.mab' and 'history.mab' can be copy pasted from the old profile to the new profile, overwriting the empty default address books.. Other .mab files need to be exported and then imported. However, as you cannot export, you could use an addon extension to import them.

MoreFunctionsforAddressBooks - addon

download the xpi file to desktop or downloads folder. the download link is at the bottom of the page.

How to Install addon

  • Tools > Addons OR Menu icon > Addons
  • click on gear wheel icon and select ; Install addon from file'
  • locate the xpi file you downloaded and click on Open
  • Restart Thunderbird at the prompt

How to use addon to import mab files

  • click on 'Address Book'
  • Tools > MorefunctionforAddressBook > actions for address books > Import address book from mab file
  • Give the new address book a name and click on OK
  • locate the mab file in Profile and click on import/open.

Where is the Thunderbird Profile folder? The AppData folder is folder is a hidden folder; to show hidden folders, open a Windows Explorer window and choose "Organize → Folder and Search Options → Folder Options → View (tab) → Show hidden files and folders". More info - make hidden files and folders visible:

Windows Vista, 7 and 8 store Profile name folder here;

  • C:\Users\Windows user name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\Profile name\
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Thanks a lot for your help, everything is fine