Save Your Emails with Thunderbird
Thunderbird allows you to save your emails for free on your computer. You can keep all your messages, a specific folder, or your entire profile. This backup is useful in case of a crash, accidental deletion, computer changes, or when closing an email account.
Download Thunderbird
To get started, you can download the latest version of Thunderbird here.
Why Backup Your Emails in Thunderbird?
Emails often contain documents, business exchanges, and important information. Leaving them solely on an email server poses a risk. Accidental deletion, hacking, or issues with the provider can make certain messages difficult to recover.
Backing up your emails with Thunderbird creates a local copy of your data. This copy helps you find your messages without relying solely on your webmail. It also facilitates migration to a new computer.
Thunderbird is a free and open-source software. It can manage Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, Orange, SFR, Proton Mail accounts with a compatible bridge, as well as many other services. Therefore, you do not need to purchase software to archive your emails.
There are two main backup methods: copying the Thunderbird profile or exporting messages. The first protects your entire Thunderbird environment. The second allows you to categorize and view emails separately. The best choice depends on your goal.
Before Backup: Check the Email Account Type
Before any manipulation, check if your account uses the IMAP or POP protocol. This information changes the way Thunderbird stores messages.
With an IMAP account, emails remain synchronized with the server. However, Thunderbird may only download part of the messages offline. A reliable backup thus requires checking that the necessary folders are available on your computer.
With a POP account, Thunderbird usually downloads messages locally. Your emails may then mostly reside in the software's profile. This setup makes local backup even more important.
To check a account's settings, open Thunderbird's menu and go to the account settings. The server type appears in the account information.
If you are using IMAP, let Thunderbird finish synchronizing before copying your data. Open the important folders and wait for the downloads to complete. Also check your synchronization settings and disk space. This way, old messages and their attachments will have a better chance of being included in the backup.
Method 1: Backup the Complete Thunderbird Profile
Copying the Thunderbird profile is the most comprehensive solution. The profile usually contains downloaded emails, account settings, message filters, address books, signatures, and several personal preferences.
This method is suitable if you want to restore Thunderbird after a crash or transfer your entire setup to another computer. It doesn't create an easily readable file, but it offers a true backup copy of the software.
Find the Thunderbird Profile Folder
The simplest method is to go through Thunderbird. Open the application menu, then select help or troubleshooting information depending on your version. Look for the line "Profile Folder" or "Profile Directory." Click the button to open this folder.
You can also find the profile from your system:
- On Windows, it is usually located in your user account's AppData folder, under Mozilla\Thunderbird\Profiles.
- On macOS, it is usually found in Library/Application Support/Thunderbird/Profiles.
- On Linux, it is usually in the hidden .thunderbird folder in your home directory.
These locations may vary depending on installation and system. The button in the troubleshooting information is therefore the most reliable solution.
Copy the Profile Correctly
Close Thunderbird completely before copying its profile. This step is essential as the software may modify certain files while it remains open. A copy made during its use may be incomplete.
Then navigate up one level to display the folder with a name similar to "xxxxxxxx.default-release". Copy this entire folder to an external location. For example, use a reliable external hard drive, a good-quality USB stick, or synchronized cloud storage.
Preferably keep multiple copies. A backup on the same disk as your computer does not protect against a failure of that disk. The practical rule is simple: keep one local copy and another on a different medium.
Name your archive clearly, e.g., "Thunderbird_profile_2026-09-15". This habit allows you to distinguish versions and restore the correct backup if necessary.
Method 2: Export Emails from Thunderbird for Free
Exporting emails is suitable if you wish to maintain a readable archive of certain folders. For example, you can backup invoices, client messages, or an old inbox.
Thunderbird provides save functions for certain messages. However, to easily export entire folders with their structure, a free add-on may be more practical. ImportExportTools NG is often used for this purpose. Always check its compatibility with your current version of Thunderbird before installing it.
Choose the Right Export Format
Several formats can be used to back up emails. Each serves a different need.
| Format | Recommended Use | Point of Attention |
|---|---|---|
| EML | Keep or open messages one by one | A folder containing many emails can create numerous files |
| MBOX | Archive a complete folder of messages | The file is primarily read with compatible messaging software |
| HTML or PDF | Read or print a message easily | These formats do not always restore all email data |
| Thunderbird Profile | Restore the complete environment | It must be placed back in Thunderbird for full use |
The EML format is interesting for individual emails. It generally retains the content, headers, and attachments of the message. The MBOX format groups messages from a folder into a single file, thus facilitating the archiving of a large volume of emails.
For a true security strategy, combine the approaches. Copy your complete profile, and then separately export folders that have particular value. You will thus have a restorable backup and archives that are easier to isolate.
Export a Folder with an Extension
After installing a compatible export extension, select the folder to back up in the left column. Then, right-click on that folder. Look for the menu added by the extension, then choose an export option in MBOX or EML format.
Select a destination folder outside the Thunderbird profile. Wait for the operation to finish, especially if the folder contains many attachments. Then check the result: verify the number of files or the size of the archive, then open one or two exported messages.
Don't just export the inbox. Consider the "Sent", "Archives", "Drafts", and manually created folders. Sent messages often provide as much value as received messages.
Backup Local Folders in Thunderbird
Local folders deserve special attention. They are not synchronized with an IMAP server in the same way as folders in an online account. If you move emails there for archiving, your computer may become their only location.
You can back them up by copying the complete Thunderbird profile. You can also export them in MBOX format. The second solution is useful if you want to maintain an archive independent of your current installation.
Avoid moving your only important copies to local folders without creating an external backup. Local organization helps sort messages; however, it does not replace a security copy.
How to Restore a Thunderbird Backup
A backup is only valuable if you can restore it. Therefore, test your procedure on a secondary computer or in a separate profile when possible.
To restore a complete profile, close Thunderbird. Then open the profile folder on the target computer. You can replace the existing profile with the backed-up copy or create a profile through the profile manager and associate the copied data. This operation requires caution: always keep a copy of the current profile before replacing anything.
To restore an MBOX file or EML messages, use a compatible import function in Thunderbird or a suitable extension. The exact steps depend on your version of the software and the chosen extension. After importing, check the folders, dates, attachments, and accented characters.
If your goal is just to view old messages, it's not always necessary to restore the entire profile. Importing the MBOX archive into a local folder may suffice.
Establish a Free Backup Routine
Regularity matters more than complexity. A one-time backup does not protect the emails received after its creation. Therefore, define a frequency that suits your activity.
For a personal inbox that is not very active, a monthly backup may be sufficient. For work or administrative emails, a weekly copy, or even more frequent, will often be more prudent. Adapt this rhythm to the volume and importance of new messages.
Here’s a simple and free routine:
- Allow Thunderbird to synchronize all necessary folders.
- Close the software before copying the profile.
- Copy the profile to an identified and secured external medium.
- Separately export very important folders in MBOX or EML.
- Open a few files to verify that the backup works.
- Keep at least one copy off the main computer.
Also protect your archives. Emails can contain personal data, invoices, or credentials. Encrypt your external drive if your system allows it. Use a strong password for your user session and avoid leaving a backup USB stick accessible.
Errors to Avoid When Backing Up Emails
The first mistake is copying files while Thunderbird is open. Always close the application and wait a few seconds before copying. Also, ensure it is not still active in the background.
The second mistake is backing up only the inbox. Your sent folders, archives, and personal folders can contain essential messages. Quickly inventory your structure before exporting.
The third mistake is confusing synchronization with backup. An IMAP account synchronizes changes. If you delete an email on the server and Thunderbird synchronizes this deletion, the message can disappear from your devices. An independent backup protects against this scenario.
Finally, do not rely on an unverified copy. After each initial backup, open the data in another location or import a small test archive. This will prevent a nasty surprise when you need it.
FAQ on Email Backup with Thunderbird
Does Thunderbird Automatically Backup All Emails?
Not necessarily. Thunderbird downloads and synchronizes messages according to account type and your settings. With IMAP, some messages may primarily remain on the server. Check synchronization settings before relying on a local copy.
Can You Backup Thunderbird on a USB Stick?
Yes. You can copy the profile folder or export your folders to a USB stick. However, choose a reliable medium and keep a second copy elsewhere. A USB stick can get lost or fail.
Does the MBOX Format Keep Attachments?
Generally, the MBOX format saves the message with its content and its integrated attachments. However, check your export by opening a few emails containing attached files, as options may vary depending on the tool used.
Should You Export Emails or Copy the Thunderbird Profile?
Copy the profile if you want to restore Thunderbird with its settings and data. Export the emails if you wish to archive specific folders into separate files. For more comprehensive protection, do both.
Conclusion
To back up your emails with Thunderbird for free, copying the profile remains the most comprehensive method. Exporting in MBOX or EML complements this protection for important folders. Close Thunderbird before each copy, verify your archives, and keep at least one backup on a separate medium. This way, you can retrieve your messages even after an incident or computer change.
