Are you downloading on a Windows 7 system? You should definitely get Thunderbird 45.2.0 from those links:

https://www.mozilla.org/thunderbird/all/

To bypass the download script and go directly to the actual files, you can copy/paste this address:

http://archive.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/45.2.0/win32/

If you're not sure what your default language code is, check the address bar while you're using this forum, the locale code is usually in the address.

dpwii said

The Mozilla web page gives me version 38.5.0 when I click on 45.2.0. All Other download sites give me a corrupt file that won't run.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/get-latest-version-thunderbird-windows-xp-vista

If you are using Windows XP or Vista then that would explain getting served Thunderbird 38.5.0 (which you can update from) instead of current Release.

A similar thing is being done with Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/get-latest-version-firefox-windows-xp-vista

I WAS trying to download/update on an older XP machine. Every file I would get was corrupt and would not run, no matter the source.

The auto update function was hung up too. The updater was obviously having the same problem getting a complete file to use.

I downloaded the file onto a Windows 7 machine, then I manually transferred the file over to the XP machine. The file ran and updated Thunderbird 38.5.0 to 45.2.0 with no problems. Now all is well. Thanks to all who replied.

If you have WinXP SP3 then you can run the newer setup versions including Thunderbird 45.2.0. This is due to Microsoft requirement of singing and as a result WinXP SP2 users cannot install newer releases that are signed.

It is an XP sp3 machine, but it could not download a usable file from any source. Transferring the .exe from a Win7 machine did the trick.

dpwii said

It is an XP sp3 machine, but it could not download a usable file from any source.

Links were posted in first reply.

You could download the 45.2.0 version from first link while on Windows 7 PC and then transfer full setup to WinXP SP3 machine or when on WinXP SP3 machine you can download from second link as you just pick your language and download the larger setup taht does not have stub in name.

jscher2000 said

Are you downloading on a Windows 7 system? You should definitely get Thunderbird 45.2.0 from those links: https://www.mozilla.org/thunderbird/all/ To bypass the download script and go directly to the actual files, you can copy/paste this address: http://archive.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/45.2.0/win32/