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

Had to reinstall Thunderbird, lost all profiles

more options

I had my PC upgraded and have had to reinstall Thunderbird. I did access several different accounts on there. The new installatiion wants me to start all over again but I donlt have the passwords etc as they were saved in Thunderbird and I w ant my Local Folders back as well. I did back up my profiles to an external hard drive and there are 3 of them. So 2 questions - are my passwords likely to be anywhere in those profiles that I can access from the hard drive? And how do I now get the 3 profiles all back to be recognised by Thunderbird again please. I'm not very tecchy!! Thanks Lynne

I had my PC upgraded and have had to reinstall Thunderbird. I did access several different accounts on there. The new installatiion wants me to start all over again but I donlt have the passwords etc as they were saved in Thunderbird and I w ant my Local Folders back as well. I did back up my profiles to an external hard drive and there are 3 of them. So 2 questions - are my passwords likely to be anywhere in those profiles that I can access from the hard drive? And how do I now get the 3 profiles all back to be recognised by Thunderbird again please. I'm not very tecchy!! Thanks Lynne

All Replies (1)

more options

Hello there lynnechappman. We have read your question. We try to help you.


I understand that the profiles are on your hdd or ssd or usb as a backup? Your passwords for those accounts are the same as normal when you start up Thunderbird.exe After you have put them back in there place where they belong.

You cannot go in to Thunderbird? https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/password-manager-remember-delete-change-tb

Normal options. You’ve got the option when you’ve lost a password for Thunderbird a few security options or questions appear , do you’ve got these answer info for that somewhere on a paper written? You can try to choose the button by logging in to thunderbird by forgotten password and follow the rules to get a new one. Normal by phone or sending verification to other emailboxes and codes , they will send you a new one. That it about password entering a new Thunderbird password. Using a mobile phone with it. Delete all passwords and there will be asked to make a new one.


If you want to move a Thunderbird profile or data after installing the good profile on your computer machine read this document. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer)



Try to delete your Thunderbird.exe file on your computer machine. Delete every profile of Thunderbird from your computer. Run your antivirus program one time. Reinstall a new fresh copy of Thunderbird.exe till the icon is back on your desktop. Create a new account new profile with password that you can go enter Thunderbird. Close or start Thunderbird when asked. Check your antivirus.


You will not lose any info when doing this.


Then read this document that I have send you. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/back-and-restore-information-firefox-profiles

Here you can follow how to.



Greetings Firefox volunteer.

Modified by День сумо