What is MozBackup PCV File Format – A Complete User Guide
The Thunderbird PCV file extension is a repository of user profile data stored in a backup. This is a compressed file created by MozBackup, a utility that creates an archive of all applications in the Mozilla suite. This file can be used to carry user data to and from a Windows system. The compressed data can be moved to another drive on the same system or to another system. MozBackup creates one PCV file for each application. MozBackup is an efficient tool that can be used to backup and restore a single .pcv file. The tool can be used to save data from profiles of Thunderbird, Firefox, and Netscape 7. In this post, information regarding what is MozBackup PCV file has been discussed.
How to Open PCV File
The .pcv file is a compressed file that can be used to store data using the MozBackup tool. It is primarily built for this tool alone. Once a PCV file is created, it is used by the stand-alone utility of Mozilla to decompress user data. However, the file can also be accessed by any of the other popular decompression algorithms. Just change the file extension to .zip or any other format that is readable by the algorithm. Then, the file automatically turns into a format that can be decrypted using the decompression tool. All the contents of a user profile can be viewed easily using the MozBackup tool or any other decompression utility.
More on MozBackup PCV File Tool
A PCV File is created by the Mozilla’s very own backup utility known as MozBackup. It is a compression algorithm to reduce the size of the user data stored in Mozilla applications. This enables portability of user data. It makes the task of restoration of user data easier in the case of Mozilla downtime or corruption. Mailbox data can easily be restored if for some reason the Thunderbird client is not working. Or if the system on which the application is installed has damaged or crashed. Be advised that the tool is no longer supported by Mozilla. Make sure that data can be restored from this tool before relying on it completely.
How is MozBackup PCV File Created?
After knowing about how to open a .pcv file, now we will discuss how Thunderbird PCV file is created. MozBackup creates and open a PCV file which stores profile data, address books, bookmarks, archived emails etc. It is important to know how the file is created using the backup utility. Following are the steps to move Thunderbird profile to another drive.
- Firstly, exit the Thunderbird application, if it is still running.
- Then, download the MozBackup utility from the Mozilla site.
- Next, unzip the contents of the downloaded file to another drive on the system.
- After that, install the MozBackup tool to the primary drive on a Windows system.
- Next, open the utility and choose Backup.
- Now, the file extension of the backup file can be viewed.
- Note the location where it will be saved. Then, click Next.
- Next, select the items that are to be archived. Just check the box next to the items to select them or uncheck to deselect. Demarcation of some items will make the entire Mozilla profile backup process faster and save time.
- Now, the Mozilla backup to PCV will be initiated.
- Next, go back to the link that is copied from the previous steps. Verify whether the file has been saved to that location or not.
- Finally, burn this file to a CD or copy the file to an external drive to take the backup to another computer.
This will answer the user query on What is Thunderbird PCV File?. And provide details on how this file came into being and how it can be opened. It is highly recommended that the MozBackup tool is used to restore data likewise. It becomes easier for those who do not know what do with the contents of this file once it is decompressed.
Conclusion
It is essential to take regular backups of any data. In situations of data loss during drive damage or corruption, such backups become essential. It is necessary to consider backup keeping in mind the data security and protection of user profiles. In the light of ever growing Cyber crime activities, it is integral to save data in one form or another. One can easily restore account data in case of a breach. Mozilla provides a tool just for this purpose. The MozBackup tool can backup and restore data from any of the Mozilla applications. It is very easy-to-use and creates a .pcv file for storing. In this post, answer to the major doubt on What is MozBackup PCV File? has been asked and answered.