Backup and Restore local folders in Mozilla Thunderbird

Backing-up Files

1. Open My Computer.
2. Go to: C drive --> Documents and Settings --> your username for your computer
3. Open Application Data. If you do not see it, you may need to go to Tools --> Folder Options and then select the View tab at the top. Make sure Show hidden files and folders is selected. Then, click OK. You should now be able to see Application Data. Open it.
4. From inside the Application Data folder, go to: Thunderbird --> Profiles --> RANDOM SET OF CHARACTERS --> Mail
   NOTE: RANDOM SET OF CHARACTERS varies from install to install of Thunderbird. It is typically the only folder in the Profiles directory unless you have more than one profile.
5. You should back up all contents of this folder.

Restoring Files

1. After reformatting, or on another computer, Install Thunderbird.
2. While Thunderbird is NOT running, restore the folder tree to the directory:v
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\RANDOM SET OF CHARACTERS\Mail (where USERNAME is your Windows Login Name and RANDOM SET OF CHARACTERS is arbitrary - it is typically the only folder in the Profiles directory)
(If you need instructions on how to get to the folder listed above, follow steps 1-4 in the Backing-up Files section.)

NOTE: You may need to create directories manually to do this correctly.
3. Run Thunderbird, and you should see the folders in your Local Mail account.