Best way to Upgrade from Thunderbird 102.15.1 to Supernova 115
I have read numerous posts and replies on the forum about updating from Thunderbird (102) to Supernova (115) but there doesn't appear to be a clear method used by the majority of users to do this.
In the release notes from 115.0.1 to 115.2.2 it clearly states ' Thunderbird version 115 is only offered as direct download from thunderbird.net and not as an upgrade from Thunderbird version 102 or earlier. A future release will provide updates from earlier versions.'
However, from 115.2.3 onwards, that statement has been removed but there is nothing saying that this, or other updates, will allow you to update from earlier versions!
I am prompted daily about an update to Thunderbird via the release update channel to update to Supernova, the latest version being 115.4.3, see attached screenshot.
I could also download this latest version and run it as an exe file to update Thunderbird and there are suggestions about removing Thunderbird, installing Supernova and then changing/adjusting the profiles etc to get it working.
So my questions are:
1) Can Thunderbird be updated via the release update channel as I have always done successfully, without messing about with profiles etc?
2) If not, is there a release coming that will allow the update from earlier versions?
3) If not, then what is the best solution to do the update successfully?
Thanks for your help.
Chosen solution
Open the 102 profile folder (or, launch 102, Help/Troubleshooting Info, Profile Folder, Open Folder, close TB). The mbox files are the large files with no extension, named after folders, in Mail/<popservername>, Mail/Local Folders, and any .sbd subdirectories. Copy them into Mail/Local Folders in the 115 profile folder, renaming them if necessary. When 115 is restarted, the folders will appear under Local Folders in the Folder Pane.
There are also mbox files in ImapMail/<imapservername>, but it's not necessary to copy them, as the IMAP folders will download when the IMAP accounts are added to the 115 profile.
Contacts can be transferred by copying abook.sqlite and history.sqlite (Personal Address Book and Collected Addresses) from one profile folder to another. Others like abook-1.sqlite can be imported from Tools/Import.
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (4)
You can do the update as shown in your picture, and you might have a seamless update with no issues. But why take the chance, especially after reading the countless topics on this forum about failed or flawed updates? Downgrading from 115 to 102 is not guaranteed to work smoothly. It's better to install the new version in a way that doesn't affect the current setup:
sfhowes said
You can do the update as shown in your picture, and you might have a seamless update with no issues. But why take the chance, especially after reading the countless topics on this forum about failed or flawed updates? Downgrading from 115 to 102 is not guaranteed to work smoothly. It's better to install the new version in a way that doesn't affect the current setup: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1428489
I followed the link and your instructions and created Supernova 115.4.3 in a folder named C:\Program Files\Mozilla ThunderbirdSupernova\ and as the instructions mentioned, I get the prompt to select a profile to either use the older Thunderbird 102.15.1 or the Supernova 115.4.3.
The only issue I have found is that your instructions mention "Once you have the new profile running, it's probably more convenient to copy the local mail (mbox files in the old profile) to Mail/Local Folders in the new profile for easy access." but I could not find any mbox files!
Can you point me to where they will be?
Thanks.
Chosen Solution
Open the 102 profile folder (or, launch 102, Help/Troubleshooting Info, Profile Folder, Open Folder, close TB). The mbox files are the large files with no extension, named after folders, in Mail/<popservername>, Mail/Local Folders, and any .sbd subdirectories. Copy them into Mail/Local Folders in the 115 profile folder, renaming them if necessary. When 115 is restarted, the folders will appear under Local Folders in the Folder Pane.
There are also mbox files in ImapMail/<imapservername>, but it's not necessary to copy them, as the IMAP folders will download when the IMAP accounts are added to the 115 profile.
Contacts can be transferred by copying abook.sqlite and history.sqlite (Personal Address Book and Collected Addresses) from one profile folder to another. Others like abook-1.sqlite can be imported from Tools/Import.
sfhowes said
Open the 102 profile folder (or, launch 102, Help/Troubleshooting Info, Profile Folder, Open Folder, close TB). The mbox files are the large files with no extension, named after folders, in Mail/<popservername>, Mail/Local Folders, and any .sbd subdirectories. Copy them into Mail/Local Folders in the 115 profile folder, renaming them if necessary. When 115 is restarted, the folders will appear under Local Folders in the Folder Pane. There are also mbox files in ImapMail/<imapservername>, but it's not necessary to copy them, as the IMAP folders will download when the IMAP accounts are added to the 115 profile. Contacts can be transferred by copying abook.sqlite and history.sqlite (Personal Address Book and Collected Addresses) from one profile folder to another. Others like abook-1.sqlite can be imported from Tools/Import.
I applaud you sfhowes, as this is a superb way of updating from an older version to Supernova, without affecting the version you are running.
You can still use the older version as normal and setup Supernova at your leisure, as you detailed previously, and when you are happy with Supernova, you can stop selecting your old profile running the older version and just use the profile setup to use Supernova.
Many thanks for the information as it is extremely helpful.