How to Backup Thunderbird Emails to External Hard Drive in

When & Why Save Thunderbird Emails to Hard Drive?

You must know the right time when creating a backup is beneficial. Proceed before you lose your data:

• Before you format or upgrade your system or OS.
• Take a backup before uninstalling Thunderbird.
• Monthly backup is a must for regular data security.
• Additionally, when you need to switch to another email client.

Now, you must be thinking, why is it needed? One should save Thunderbird emails to hard drive for the following reasons:

• Backup provides data protection when your system crashes.
• It facilitates easy migration of emails to a new system or email clients.
• One can also backup Thunderbird emails for long-term archiving.
• If you accidentally delete emails from your mailbox, this is your saviour.

How do I Backup Thunderbird Emails to a Hard Drive?

This section provides the best, easy-to-perform methods, letting users save Thunderbird emails to an external drive:

• Use the ImportExport Add-on to export Thunderbird Mailbox
• Create a Backup of the Thunderbird Profile
• Backup Thunderbird Emails to the Desktop as EML Files

Let us explore methods one by one.

Install ImportExport Add-on to Export Thunderbird Mailbox

Thunderbird doesn’t have any built-in feature to export the mailbox directly to an external format or to the desktop. Hence, you are required to install an Add-on Thunderbird ImportExport tool. This enables users to export Thunderbird emails to EML, PDF, HTML, CSV, Plain Text, Spreadsheet, etc. Follow the process below and save emails:

1. First, open Mozilla Thunderbird and log in to your email account.
2. Click the menu icon (≡) in the top-right corner to display the Thunderbird Menu.
3. From the drop-down list, select “Add-ons and Themes.”
   
4. In the Add-ons Manager tab, search for “ImportExportTools NG.”
5. Once found, click “Add to Thunderbird”, then press “Install Now.”
6. After installation, click the “Restart Now” button to complete the setup.
   (Note: If Thunderbird is in Safe Mode, restart it in normal mode to continue.)
7. Once restarted, right-click on the mailbox folder (e.g., Inbox) you want to export.
8. Follow: ImportExportTools NG > Export all messages in the folder > EML format.
9. Choose your preferred format:
   • EML format– Best for email backup and compatibility
   • HTML format (with attachments)- Preserves original formatting and attachments.
10. Select the destination folder on your system where you want to save the emails.
11. Click “Select Folder.” All selected emails will now be saved at your chosen location.

Advantages of ImportExport NG Tools:

• One can backup or save Thunderbird emails in bulk.
• It allows saving emails in EML, HTML, and other formats.

Despite these advantages, users do not prefer this tool for fear of losing emails. Also, it does not guarantee managing email attachments.

How to Backup Thunderbird Profile Manually?

To backup Thunderbird emails to external drive, simply copy the profile folder that stores all your emails, settings, and account data. Here’s how to create a Thunderbird profile folder backup:

1. First of all, run Thunderbird on your computer.
2. Click on the ☰ menu icon in the top-right.
3. Go to Help > Troubleshooting Information.
   
4. In the Application Basics section, click Open Folder next to Profile Folder.
5. A file window will open. Copy the entire folder shown there.
6. Finally, paste it to your backup hard drive location or USB.

You can save all your Thunderbird data using this method, securely in one folder. Later, you can restore the full profile along with all folders into the Thunderbird directory. Still, there are other alternatives as well.

Easy Thunderbird Export to EML Format

One can easily export Thunderbird emails to hard drive by saving emails to EML format. Here are the quick steps:

1. Open Thunderbird > go to the folder containing emails to backup.
2. Next, select emails:
   • To select one, click on it.
   • To select all, press Ctrl + A.
3. Right-click on the selected emails or go to the Menu.
4. Choose the Save As option > File.
   
5. Pick your desktop or preferred folder as the save location.
6. At last, click on Save.

This will export your selected Thunderbird emails as individual .eml files for backup. You can re-import EML files using the ImportExport add-on in Thunderbird. Also, it facilitates users to backup only selective data from the mailbox.

Common Issues in Manual Backup

It’s the list of issues you may face while performing a manual backup:

• You may encounter export errors in EML format.
• Thunderbird may crash during bulk export.
• Not necessarily, mailbox data is restored correctly.
• The folder structure may not be retained.

How to Backup Thunderbird Emails to Hard Drive Securely?

When all manual method fails, trust the Best Thunderbird Backup Software by Aryson. No more hassle of depending on an add-on, simply download the tool, choose Thunderbird profile, and backup. It’s way more convenient for all users, whether they are technical or non-technical.

The software is versatile, allowing users to create a backup of emails in various formats like PST, EML, MSG, PDF, etc. Even if you want to export Thunderbird emails to another email service, it is competent enough. Explore the key functionalities of the tool with the free version, and follow the procedure below to back up:

1. Install the Aryson Thunderbird Backup Software on your PC and choose a Thunderbird profile.
   Note: You must have Thunderbird installed and configured on your system.
2. Click on Next and preview the mailbox folder- emails and attachments.
3. Make an appropriate folder selection for backup. Tap on Next.
4. Choose a backup format from the list provided, such as PDF.
5. Further, apply filters from the given options to keep the backup precise.
6. Specify to save Thunderbird data on a Hard Drive or a local drive.
7. Finally, click on the Convert button at the bottom right.

Conclusion

If you’re also looking for a reliable method to protect important data, backup Thunderbird emails to hard drive. This measure prevents data loss in case of accidental deletion or system crash. We have discussed both the manual approach and professional software for you. Either of the methods you use will create a secure backup that will ease your life. Moreover, it facilitates easy access to emails anytime and data recovery as well. So, make it a habit to maintain a regular backup of your Thunderbird mailbox and keep your emails organized.

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