6 Free & Easy Ways | Restore Deleted/Lost Thunderbird Emails

How Do I Restore Thunderbird Email?

Emails serve as a cornerstone in modern communication, and the loss of crucial email data can be a daunting experience. This comprehensive guide aims to help users recover deleted/lost Thunderbird emails effectively with 5 practical methods.

Whether you've accidentally deleted emails or faced unexpected data loss, the following methods will guide you through the recovery process and even recover emails from Thunderbird after emptying the trash.

What is Thunderbird Email Recovery?

Thunderbird Email Recovery involves the meticulous process of retrieving deleted or lost emails from the Thunderbird email client. Whether due to accidental deletion, software issues, or other unforeseen circumstances, recovering these emails is paramount to maintaining uninterrupted communication.

#1. How to Restore Deleted/Lost Thunderbird Emails

There are 3 primary methods to recoverdeleted Thunderbird emails. If you're wondering how to recover permanently deleted emails from Thunderbird, please move to the next part. 

Way 1. Undo Feature for Recent Deletions

Thunderbird's "Undo" feature is a lifesaver for recent deletions. Follow these steps to undelete thunderbird email file:

Step 1. Immediately after deleting an email, press "Ctrl + Z" on your keyboard.

Step 2. Alternatively, navigate to the "Edit" menu and select "Undo Delete" or "Undo Move."

Way 2. Restore Deleted Thunderbird Emails from Trash Folder

One of the best ways to directly recover deleted files  is to recover emails from trash folder. To retrieve previous emails from Gmail on your PC, adhere to the instructions provided below.

Step 1. Accidental deletions often land emails in the Trash folder. Follow these step-by-step points to recover your emails from the Trash:

Step 2. Open Thunderbird and navigate to the "Trash" or "Deleted Items" folder.

Step 3. Browse through the list of deleted emails and select the ones you want to restore.

Step 4. Right-click on the selected emails and choose the "Move to" option.

Step 5. Move the emails back to their original folder or a designated location.

Way 3. Restore Thunderbird Emails from Backups

Regularly backing up your Thunderbird profile ensures a safety net for data loss. Here's a detailed guide on restoring emails from your backups:

Step 1. Locate your Thunderbird profile backup, which typically includes a folder named "Profiles": C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles

Step 2. Access the Thunderbird profile folder on your system.

Step 3. Identify the "Mail" folder within the profile and locate the backup copy.

Step 4. Copy the desired email files from the backup and paste them into the corresponding profile's "Mail" folder.

Step 5. Launch Thunderbird, and your restored emails should appear in the designated folders.

#2.  How Do I Recover Permanently Deleted Emails from Thunderbird

How to recover permanently deleted emails from Thunderbird? We have good news! We've compiled 3 practical methods to help you recover permanently deleted emails. 

Way 1. Recover Permanently Deleted Thunderbird Emails via MyRecover

MyRecover is an advanced email recovery software designed specifically for Thunderbird. It supports recovery of various file types, including emails from popular email clients such as Outlook, Thunderbird, and more. Using MyRecover is the most effective way to recover Thunderbird deleted emails.

MyRecover

 Thunderbird Emails Recovery Software

• Recover 200+ formats:It also canrecover deleted Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT, PDF, PPTX, JPG, PNG, MP4, MOV, MP3, CDA, 7Z, ZIP, MSG, EML, and more.
• Advanced scanning method:MyRecover runsQuick Scan & Deep Scanautomatically to search all the recoverable Thunderbird emails.
• Efficient file filtering and preview: You can filter and preview recoverable files by type, size, date, etc., saving you time and effort.
• Versatile recovery: Suitable for various data loss situations including deletion, disk formatting, system crashes, or virus infection.

Download Software
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7& Windows Server

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Download MyRecover and install it on your system. Follow these steps for a successful Thunderbird email recovery using MyRecover:

Step 1. Launch the MyRecover and hover the mouse over the drive where you mistakenly deleted your Thunderbird emails from. Then, click Scan. 

Step 2. It will run Quick Scan and Deep Scan, and your deleted emails or other missing files will be listed. You can preview the scan results and select the specific emails you want to restore.

Step 3.  Click Recover x files to initiate the recovery process. MyRecover will get the selected Thunderbird emails back. Don't forget to choose a new location to save the email. 

Way 2. Recover Deleted/Lost Thunderbird Emails After Emptying Trash

If you've accidentally emptied the trash and permanently deleted Thunderbird emails on your PC, don't worry. There's still a chance to recover them with the following steps:

Step 1.Open Windows Explorer and go to "Folder Options" under the Tools menu. Click on the "View" tab, select "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" and click "OK".

Step 2. Go to this path: C:/Users/YOUR USER NAME/AppData/Roaming/Thunderbird/Profiles/YOUR PROFILE/YOUR THUNDERBIRD ACCOUNT. Look for a profile folder named with eight random characters followed by '.default'.  ("YOUR THUNDERBIRD ACCOUNT" is the name of the Thunderbird account where you are attempting to recover deleted Thunderbird emails.)

Step 3. Navigate to the ImapMail folder and open the Inbox file using Notepad or a similar text editor.

Step 4. Find the line that reads 'X-Mozilla-Status: 0009' or similar before the text of your email, change the status code to '0000', save your changes, and close Notepad.

Step 5. Check your Inbox to find the recovered emails, which will be marked as unread.

Way 3. Recover Email Thunderbird Messages by Repairing Inbox Folder

The third method to recover deleted Thunderbird emails involves repairing  Inbox folder, especially useful if your emails are corrupted and thus inaccessible. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1. Open Mozilla Thunderbird. Right-click on the Inbox or the folder where the corrupted emails are located.

Step 2. Select "Properties" from the dropdown menu, then navigate to "General Information" to confirm that the folder name is "Inbox."

Step 3. Click on "Repair Folder" then select "OK."

Step 4. After the repair, navigate back to the Inbox folder to check if your emails are now viewable.

Conclusion

In summary, recovering Thunderbird emails requires a nuanced approach using multiple methods available. From traditional recovery options, such as retrieving emails from the trash or leveraging backups, to leveraging Thunderbird's built-in features, such as the undo feature, there are many ways users can recover deleted/lost Thunderbird emails.

For a more advanced and efficient solution, MyRecover provides a comprehensive and user-friendly interface for successful Thunderbird email recovery. It helps you efforlessly recover permanently deleted files in 3 easy steps.

FAQs

Q: Where are my Thunderbird email files?

A: Unlike some applications that store each email as a separate file, Thunderbird consolidates all data (emails, settings, calendar, accounts) into a database within the Inbox file, stored in your Profile folder. The default location for this folder is C:/Users/UserName/AppData/Roaming/Thunderbird/Profiles/.

Q: How effective is MyRecover in restoring Thunderbird emails?

A: MyRecover employs advanced algorithms, making it highly effective in retrieving deleted or lost Thunderbird emails.

Q: Can I recover emails that were deleted a long time ago?

A: Yes, MyRecover can recover old emails from years ago effectively, provided they haven't been overwritten. 

Q: Can Thunderbird's built-in features recover emails permanently deleted from the Trash folder?

A: No, once emails are permanently deleted from the Trash folder, Thunderbird's built-in features cannot recover them. In such cases, utilize backups or third-party tools for recovery.

Q: How do I backup my Thunderbird emails and profile?

A: To backup yourThunderbird emails or profile folder, you can either use the copy and paste method, the Thunderbird export tool, or a freeWindows backup software- AOMEI Backupper Standard. For restoration, locate the backup file on your computer's hard drive or an external storage device, then use the "Import" option in Thunderbird's Tools menu.

Q: Are there any risks involved in using email recovery tools like MyRecover?

A: MyRecover is a reputable tool with minimal risks. Follow the provided instructions to ensure a safe recovery process.