Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

[Solved] Back up e-mail filters after Thunderbird 91

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

radiobuzzer
radiobuzzer
more options

In a previous thread 5 years ago, it has been asked how the e-mail filters can be backed-up. Back then, the suggestion was to locate the msgFilterRules.dat in the profile folder.

I just created a new user profile in Thunderbird 91.9.0 and I created some new filters, but the file msgFilterRules.dat hasn't appeared in the profile directory. Has the file been changed? Any tips on how to back-up the filters? Using Ubuntu 20.04.

SOLVED: one has to do the following steps:

1. Go to Help>More troubleshooting information>Profile Directory > Open directory 2. Right click, open in Terminal 3. type the command "find . -name 'msgFilterRules.dat'

this will list all the filters, dependent on different e-mail servers

In a [http://example.com previous thread 5 years ago], it has been asked how the e-mail filters can be backed-up. Back then, the suggestion was to locate the msgFilterRules.dat in the profile folder. I just created a new user profile in Thunderbird 91.9.0 and I created some new filters, but the file msgFilterRules.dat hasn't appeared in the profile directory. Has the file been changed? Any tips on how to back-up the filters? Using Ubuntu 20.04. SOLVED: one has to do the following steps: 1. Go to Help>More troubleshooting information>Profile Directory > Open directory 2. Right click, open in Terminal 3. type the command "find . -name 'msgFilterRules.dat' this will list all the filters, dependent on different e-mail servers

Modified by radiobuzzer

All Replies (1)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

The 'msgFilterRules.dat' file resides in the mail account name folder not in the 'profile name' folder, so it will not be immediately visible when you clickon 'Open directory'

  • Via 'Menu Bar' toolbar: 'Tools' or via 'Mail Tollbar' toolbar: 'Menu app icon'
  • Select: 'Help' > 'More troubleshooting information'
  • Under 'Application Basics' - Profile Directory- click on 'Open directory'

this opens window showing contents of profile name folder.

  • Exit Thunderbird now - this is important.

If you use Pop accounts:

  • click on 'Mail'
  • click on the pop mail account name folder

If you use Imap accounts:

  • click on 'ImapMail'
  • click on the imap mail account name folder

You can now copy the 'msgFilterRules.dat' file as an extra backup.

However, to backup everything, go up the directory to the home folder, you should see the .thunderbird folder. Then copy the .thunderbird folder to a suitable location and it contains a backup of everything. I'm assuming you are using the default location.

Linux /Unix Profile folders are located here: ~/.thunderbird/<Profile name>/

However, if you're using a third party build from Debian or Ubuntu, those builds store your profile folder here: ~/.mozilla-thunderbird/<Profile name>.