You might be better off using https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-export

Thanks Merv, I had actually tried that too. However the resulting zip file was reported as invalid by Windows Explorer. I will try again tomorrow. Regards Ray

Sorry, Thanks Wayne :) I've been fighting Thunderbird and the many incorrect posts on this forum and others for too long today.

Here is the link for moving a profile in Windows when installed in default location:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer

here is the info in brief steps:

1. ensure thunderbird is NOT running on old machine
2. enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
3. this should open windows file explorer in Appdata\roaming folder
4. highlight the Thunderbird folder and copy to external media
5. ensure thunderbird is installed on second computer and NOT running
6. enter %appdata% in search window on task bar and press Enter key
7. you should be in Appdata\roaming folder , copy&paste the exported Thunderbird folder there. This may prompt to overwrite an existing folder of same name. allow it
8. start thunderbird and all should be there

Thank you David, That was the procedure that I had followed. However even though Thunderbird on the new laptop is using that profile, there are no previous sent or received emails, no personal folders, and no address book entries. Thunderbird was a Standard (default) installation on both. I will try the procedure again today. Regards Ray

Thank you again David,

I followed the same procedure again this morning, and this time it worked.

All previous emails, folders and address book now there.

Regards

Ray