Solved Thunderbird Email Backup Plan?

I do a Macrium Reflect image of my disk with the operating system weekly (or I try to anyway ) so I thought I'd see if there is a simple way to make more frequent copies of the Thunderbird data in a similar way, like making an image of the Thunderbird folder that is in Roaming. That way Instead if making more images of the entire disk I'd make one of the the Thunderbird file/folder structure which could, if needed, be copied back into a disk restore event. I'm using Macrium Reflect free so this doesn't allow a folder image, though Hasleo does. This seems like a good way to do what I want. Does anyone make such backups of Thunderbird like this, or is there a better way to backup and restore Thunderbird?

This is probably a stupid question but I thought I'd ask it anyway.

You can just copy the folder to whatever your backup drive is.

pseymour said:

You can just copy the folder to whatever your backup drive is.

Export your Thunderbird Profile | Thunderbird Help

Thunderbird's export tool lets you create a backup of your Thunderbird profile including accounts, messages, address books, and settings.

support.mozilla.org

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Yes, and I have done that when the situation called for a clean install or a repair update. In those cases the plan was to install windows and I had time to copy the folder structure. But on my system this backup is time consuming and not something I would do every day or two. So a solution like making an image would be a better candidate. But I thought I'd at least pose the question to see if others had other solutions that would accommodate frequent backups. But I do appreciate your note.

starchase said:

Yes, and I have done that when the situation called for a clean install or a repair update. In those cases the plan was to install windows and I had time to copy the folder structure. But on my system this backup is time consuming and not something I would do every day or two. So a solution like making an image would be a better candidate. But I thought I'd at least pose the question to see if others had other solutions that would accommodate frequent backups. But I do appreciate your note.

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I use a program to copy/sync/backup Thunderbird to an external drive (or sometimes an SD Card, but over my local network works too) by copying (after closing the program) ONLY the "changed" files from the Thunderbird folders that are located in BOTH the C:\Users\(UserName)\AppData\Local folder AND the ... AppData\Roaming folder. There are usually two or so changed files in Local, and about 30 files in Roaming.

The synching takes less than 5 seconds. (Please note that I have "Disabled Thunderbird Telemetry" to reduce the changed numbers of files ... search for this for instructions of how to do it.)

The program I use is Called "Beyond Compare" from Scooter Software. The program is not free, but is very reasonably priced and well-supported. (Standard Edition is currently $35.)

Karen's Replicator might work for this purpose too, but I've never tried it.

I use Hekasoft for thunderbird. Its free and works well you can also backup browsers with it.,very simple to use as well.

I also have this Backup for Thunderbird Free Edition | zebNet®
They are giving 60% off at the moment, there is also a free version.

I use robocopy to backup or restore Thunderbird using a .bat file. I have a folder in Documents for Backups of various things.

Backup_Thunderbird_mail_Profile


Restore_Thunderbird_mail_Profile


Make sure you have the folder structure Documents/Backups/Thunderbird_Backup and add your user name and correct Thunderbird Profile folder name where I've put xxxxxx. Add it to a text file and rename it .bat. Run as Administrator. You can add a shortcut and force it to run as administrator.

I use MozBackup and it works very good, I have been using it for the last 10 years or so.

My solution is a file backup program called Perfect Backup. The free version is fine for this process. It has scheduling capabilities, encryption, compression, with full and incremental backups. The number of incremental backups to be made can specified, and intelligent restore can be performed from a specified incremental backup.

The advantage over a straight copy process or a sync is the ability to restore to an earlier point.

Thanks to all respondents. I just tried the file/folders backup in Hasleo and this worked OK and fast. I'll check out the other suggestions in this thread.

I have my Thunderbird (and all documents for that matter) on a separate drive.
Should i need to restore from a Macrium image it does not affect my documents.
I also have separate backups for my documents.
It depends how may separate physical disks you have.
Have a look at Cobian /reflector, it's a free backup program for files and folders.