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Thunderbird - migrating to new computer; drive letter change

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  • Valiny farany nomen'i AvidResearcher

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I am migrating to a new desktop Windows computer. The Thunderbird profile file is currently on drive "I:" The new computer will have a different drive letter (not I:). Within each e-mail account/Server Settings contains the current 'Local Directory' path including drive "I:\". This will become invalid when I follow migration steps (copy profile file to USB thumb drive and paste to new computer) to move the Profile file. Therefore, Thunderbird will be unable to find the profile file on the new computer and fail. How do I avoid this issue???

Also, must the location of the profile file always be in I:\Users\XXXX\AppData\Roaming\ ??? Could it be in I:\Users\XXXX\Data\ ??

I am migrating to a new desktop Windows computer. The Thunderbird profile file is currently on drive "I:" The new computer will have a different drive letter (not I:). Within each e-mail account/Server Settings contains the current 'Local Directory' path including drive "I:\". This will become invalid when I follow migration steps (copy profile file to USB thumb drive and paste to new computer) to move the Profile file. Therefore, Thunderbird will be unable to find the profile file on the new computer and fail. How do I avoid this issue??? Also, must the location of the profile file always be in I:\Users\XXXX\AppData\Roaming\ ??? Could it be in I:\Users\XXXX\Data\ ??

All Replies (2)

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I am sorry to hear that this is an issue to you.

Try using the usb, and it should work, especially because I believe the files use environment variables for locations (to see what I mean type %appdata% into a file explorer window).

If this doesn't work out, you could manually edit the file for the new locations.

To answer the last question, roaming appdata is made for setups where a person can log in to multiple machines and have the same configuration, accounts, etc. on any machine in the domain. To not use this folder by default could hinder people who use a domain setup.

If you still do not understand environment variables, I found a list of environment variables and their explanations here

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Thank you for the prompt response. I have a very basic understanding of the environment variables concept and function but have not worked with them. When you say "...type %appdata% into a file explorer window..." do you mean do a search for %appdata% or something else?? What file can be manually edited: %appdata%, profiles.ini, or installs.ini?

As to roaming appdata, I get it. You have a much broader understanding of how Thunderbird is used in various environments. I will continue to use the current roaming appdata location. Cheers.