Recovering Thunderbird and Firefox files from new installation

[Spacecadet]

I got all the documents and music and photos off the computer but forgot to copy the Mozilla files and I have already started the installation on the computer. It is still asking me if I want to continue testing. But I thought I would ask here first before I take out the USB stick. I did a full installation of the latest Mint over the existing Mint 18.2. I would really like the emails if at all possible. Is it too late?

[Moonstone Man]

Is it too late?

If you overwrote the partition that the files were stored on, yes.

[Spacecadet]

Damn. I thought as much.

[Moonstone Man]

Damn. I thought as much.

If you have a backup, you can try restoring it.

[Spacecadet]

I tried to back up the Home folder but it wouldn't let me. I ended up backing up the Documents, Video, Music, Desktop, Downloads, Pictures. And then I forgot all about the other folders. Only ones that matters is the emails and some of the saved passords on Firefox

[Wilop91]

Hello
If you configured your email accounts in Thunderbird using IMAP, then I thought all the emails remain on the server. I'm wrong?
However if you made "archives" (and deleted the emails) and did not backup the files with your archived emails then I fear they are lost.....

[Spacecadet]

I'm not sure now. I think one might be pop and the other IMAP. I think the third is IMAP too. This gives me hope. Thank you.