Firefox and Thunderbird save all of your settings, emails, bookmarks, contact lists etc. in hidden folders in both Windows and Linux (if you use Linux). If you make copies of those folders you have basically backed up all of your important data. If you totally hose either one while trying to "fix" one or the other you can simply copy your backups to the original locations and your data will be restored. This is far superior to Microsoft Outlooks ridiculous and kludgy export/import routine.
To find your Firefox and Thunderbird data in Windows you have to enable your hidden files and folders. (Google that if you do not know how)
Once you have enabled hidden files and folders look in C:usersyourusernameAppData
In that folder you will see 3 other folders. "Roaming, Local, LocalLow". In those folders you will find the data folders for Firefox and Thunderbird. Copy them to another location keeping them separate so you can copy them back to the same location later.
For instance create a folder called backups and then create in that folder folders named LocalLow, Local, and Roaming. If you have to reinstall either program do the installation of the program but do NOT start the application after install. Put your copies of the originals in the appropriate folders. After you have copied the data folders back start Firefox or Thunderbird. Your data should be restored.
An additional factoid. You can actually move your data from Windows to Linux or vice versa. The data works in both operating systems. I would assume this works for Mac but I do not have one to test with.
In Linux the data is also in a hidden folder called .thunderbird for Thunderbird and .mozilla for Firefox. Some older versions may use .firefox for Firefox. Note the . signifies a hidden folder.
The file path in Linux is:
/Home/Username/.thunderbird
or
/Home/Username/.firefox
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