This article explains how to locate the folder that contains your Mozilla Thunderbird email messages, filters, settings, and more. Instructions cover Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, macOS, and Linux.

What to Know

  • Windows PC: Go to Start > Search, enter %appdata%, and select Roaming. In Windows Explorer, select Thunderbird > Profiles.Mac: Go to Finder > Go, press and hold the Option key, and select Library. Open the Thunderbird folder, then open the Profiles folder.Linux: Profile folders are located in ~/.thunderbird//. If you use a third-party build from Debian or Ubuntu, go to ~/.mozilla-thunderbird.

Find a Thunderbird Profile on a Windows PC

Here’s how to access your Thunderbird Profile files on a Windows PC:

  • Open the Windows Start menu.
  • In the Search box, enter %appdata%.
  • Select the Roaming item that appears on the menu.
  • In the Windows Explorer window, select Thunderbird > Profiles. Each folder in this folder is a profile on your computer.
  • Alternatively, navigate directly to your profile folder at C:\Users\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\. Or, use the Thunderbird menu path Help >Troubleshooting information, then select Show Folder.

Find a Thunderbird Profile on a Mac

Here’s how to access your Thunderbird Profile files on a Mac computer:

Open the Windows Start menu.

In the Search box, enter %appdata%.

Select the Roaming item that appears on the menu.

In the Windows Explorer window, select Thunderbird > Profiles. Each folder in this folder is a profile on your computer.

Alternatively, navigate directly to your profile folder at C:\Users\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\. Or, use the Thunderbird menu path Help >Troubleshooting information, then select Show Folder.

  • Select Finder.
  • On the menu bar, select the Go menu.
  • Press and hold the Option key, then select Library.
  • Open the Thunderbird folder, then open the Profiles folder.
  • Your profile folder is within this folder. If you only have one profile, its folder has default in the name.

Find a Thunderbird Profile on a Linux System

In a Linux system, Profile folders are located in ~/.thunderbird//. However, if you use a third-party build from Debian or Ubuntu, those builds store your profile folder in ~/.mozilla-thunderbird. These are hidden folders.

Select Finder.

On the menu bar, select the Go menu.

Press and hold the Option key, then select Library.

Open the Thunderbird folder, then open the Profiles folder.

Your profile folder is within this folder. If you only have one profile, its folder has default in the name.

What Are Profile Folders?

Mozilla Thunderbird saves your personal information in a set of files called a Profile. The Profile houses local mail, copies of messages that reside on the mail server, and changes made to the Thunderbird account settings or toolbar. Thunderbird stores Profile files and program files separately, so you can uninstall Thunderbird without losing your messages and settings. If something goes wrong with a Thunderbird update, your information will still be available.

After you locate your Profile folder, back up or move your Mozilla Thunderbird profile, or archive specific folders.

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