How to Find Your Mozilla Thunderbird Profile

Locate this important file on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems

By
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
  • University of Vienna
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
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Updated on October 27, 2021

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.

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.

Find a Thunderbird Profile on a Windows PC

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

  1. Open the Windows Start menu.

    Windows 10 Start Menu

  2. In the Search box, enter %appdata%.

  3. Select the Roaming item that appears on the menu.

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

    Screenshot of Thunderbird profile folder on PC

    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:

  1. Select Finder.

  2. On the menu bar, select the Go menu.

  3. Press and hold the Option key, then select Library.

  4. Open the Thunderbird folder, then open the Profiles folder.

    Screenshot of Thunderbird Profiles Folder

  5. 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.

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

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.

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