Join the AMA (Ask Me Anything) with the Firefox leadership team to celebrate Firefox 20th anniversary and discuss Firefox’s future on Mozilla Connect. Mark your calendar on Thursday, November 14, 18:00 - 20:00 UTC!

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

How can I rescue my thunderbird emails from a broken linux machine and transfer them to a new linux machine.

more options

I have been running thunderbird email on a linux mint (18.3) machine, which has broken (fails to boot up). I want to transfer my thunderbird emails from the old machine to a new Linux machine. I can see the .thunderbird file in Nemo File Manager on my old machine by using a Linux live OS on a flash drive to access the old Linux hard drive but the system will not let me copy the .thunderbird file, nor move it, nor open it, as it thinks I am not the owner because I am trying to access it from another OS. Any suggestions welcome.

I have been running thunderbird email on a linux mint (18.3) machine, which has broken (fails to boot up). I want to transfer my thunderbird emails from the old machine to a new Linux machine. I can see the .thunderbird file in Nemo File Manager on my old machine by using a Linux live OS on a flash drive to access the old Linux hard drive but the system will not let me copy the .thunderbird file, nor move it, nor open it, as it thinks I am not the owner because I am trying to access it from another OS. Any suggestions welcome.

All Replies (1)

more options

Hello there we have received Youre message.



Hi there when disconnecting and removing the power it falls into one automatic lock. The hard disk is locked .The storage processor asks for a password and can give access to this hard disk. Also the inability to reach the complete folder from outside can have something with what you have filled in at the beginning of your installation. (Linux))


Due to a crash, sometimes one and the other can be approached so that this can not be repaired. You could use an additional program that is meant for this problem. You have ended up here with Firefox.


The main folder is actually trapped in your hard disk. Maybe a program like file unlocker can help you. Finding such a program is not that difficult. Think of it as about the same as with Windows in number of thoughts.



Greatings Firefox volunteer.

Modified by День сумо