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General discussion

Email Backup

Feb 28, 2005 10:54PM PST

I am soon going to reformat my computer.
However, as part of my backing up of data, I need to backup emails. I use Mozilla Thunderbird. Any idea how to backup the emails? (Or if you know which folder, by default, does Thunderbird store emails in, that would do fine too.)
Thanx in advance,
Mohit

Discussion is locked

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reply
Mar 1, 2005 3:45AM PST

Dear Mohit,

I have personally never used, nor heard of Thunderbird, but most email services work the same way.

If you use a browser, such as Firefox or IE, then your emails are stored online, and you may access them from any computer, even your own after format.

If you use some sort of specific software to access your email, such as Outlook, or Outlook Express, then you will have an option to "export" your email database or address book (somewhere under the "File"> menu).

If you're not sure... Then I might suggest setting up your outlook express to access your Thunderbird account (whatever it is), and transfer your emails into your outlook inbox, then export the emails.

-AInTeL

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Thunderbird backup
Apr 6, 2005 3:50AM PDT

These emails are stored in a set of directories and files. Some/most of the files have the extention: .qfm, and they may be located in the subdirectory C : \Documents and Settings\<your username here>\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\, or something along those lines.

(Pleae note, in the above, if you see a "happy face", please understand that that is supposed to be the letter "C" followed by a colon followed by a backslash, Hey, CNET, why do you do this????)

There are some thunderbird backup programs out there now, but I have not tried them. I just copy my entire "mail" directory structure and contents on to a CD. I'm hoping that works!