This is a question for those very familiar with Lubuntu, Thunderbird, and Virtualbox. Host machine is Kubuntu 20.04. I'm setting up a Virtualbox Lubuntu 18.04 VM in which to run Thunderbird as a POP client. Mail must be stored on a network drive for backup. I can see two ways to accomplish this: (A) Run the VM locally, but with all of the VM's files stored on a the network drive, and otherwise set up Thunderbird in its default configuration to store the profile in the VM. (B) Run and store the VM locally, but with the Thunderbird profile on a network-located Virtualbox shared folder. I strongly prefer (B), because I wish to run the VM from an auto-restored snapshot, which restores to a previously "frozen" state on each startup. This gives a faster startup, restoring the VM to an already booted state, and also provides better stability and security. Yes, I know the VM still needs to be regularly updated and a new snapshot taken. This would also allow a duplicate VM to open the same network-located profile from any machine on the network (but, of course, only one copy at any time). What I don't know is what data, if any, Thunderbird still stores locally, even when the profile is stored in the shared folder. While all configuration would be preserved, all local data will be lost on each VM shutdown. Questions: 1) Is (B) practical? Are there any show-stoppers, such as local data which cannot be located in or with the profile in the shared folder? 2) If practical, is anyone currently running a similar configuration and willing to share their hard-learned knowledge? 3) If no one is or is able to admit they are running a similar configuration, all assistance in creating a step-by-step setup guide, in excruciatingly painful detail, would be appreciated.