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How do I access Thunderbird profile manager in Windows 10?

  • 6 replies
  • 8 have this problem
  • 38 views
  • Last reply by susanowm

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I want to just point T-bird to a different place where I have stored my backup profile files (after migration from a Win 7 older computer to new one). I can't seem to follow any of the instructions provided. Windows 10 doesn't have a Run command. And the Command prompt only goes to my user file...can't seem to get to the folder with the executable to enter "thunderbird.exe-P"

Do I have to move my entire old profile into the new profile? It is quite large and it took so much time just to load it into the cloud where I hoped to keep it to avoid this in the future.

I want to just point T-bird to a different place where I have stored my backup profile files (after migration from a Win 7 older computer to new one). I can't seem to follow any of the instructions provided. Windows 10 doesn't have a Run command. And the Command prompt only goes to my user file...can't seem to get to the folder with the executable to enter "thunderbird.exe-P" Do I have to move my entire old profile into the new profile? It is quite large and it took so much time just to load it into the cloud where I hoped to keep it to avoid this in the future.

Chosen solution

Use the search box instead of run.

Run has actually been missing from the start menu since XP.

Personally I use this add-on and a Thunderbird menu. I think it is much nicer. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/profileswitcher/?src=search

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I have already tried everything suggested in these instructions with no luck!

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Chosen Solution

Use the search box instead of run.

Run has actually been missing from the start menu since XP.

Personally I use this add-on and a Thunderbird menu. I think it is much nicer. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/profileswitcher/?src=search

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If you're typing thunderbird.exe-P then one problem is that you must have a space before the dash:

thunderbird.exe -P

You could just locate your profiles.ini file and edit it by hand.

Mine looks like this:

[General]
StartWithLastProfile=1

[Profile0]
Name=Chris
IsRelative=1
Path=cjr_profile
Default=1

If I wanted to to refer to a profile on another drive, (D: in this example) then for Windows it would look something like:

[General]
StartWithLastProfile=1

[Profile0]
Name=Chris
IsRelative=0
Path=D:\thunderbird\cjr_profile
Default=1
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Also make sure Thunderbird is not running when you try to start Thunderbird with Profilemanager.

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Thanks, Matt! The Add-On worked. The Search bar did not work...had tried that already.

I just couldn't figure out a way to get to that profile manager but profile switcher did the trick and I have successfully loaded all my old emails (too many!) onto the new PC.