Thank you for your interest in using beta. Whether you are just curious or already using beta, this reference will help you have the best possible experience. Beta is an unusual environment, so we suggest you review this reference (and bookmark it) before you download and use beta. [https://www.mozilla.org/thunderbird/beta/all/ download the beta] __TOC__ = Should I use beta? = Are you interested in helping improve Thunderbird by testing and finding bugs? Then beta is a good place for you to be, because beta gets fixes and [[new thunderbird 102|new features]] long before they reach release. You will join [https://stats.thunderbird.net/#beta thousands who use beta on a daily basis]! And we have are many [[#resources and assistance|resource and assistance]] items to help you. But there are also considerations to understand before you take the plunge. == Considerations == '''Note - now is good time to use beta, because it will be more stable than normal through June 2022 while development is frozen and we touch up [[new thunderbird 102|version 102's new features]].''' You will want to do [[profiles where thunderbird stores user data#w_restoring-a-profile-backup|regular backups]] to protect your Thunderbird data profiles (profiles are described under [[How to run beta]]), and consider the following: * New features may be works in progress and incomplete, because they are often iteratively improved over a period of weeks. The beta forum may mention how new features are making progress. * Flaws are to be expected. Flaws of potentially high impact including dataloss are very rare, but may occur because of frequent code changes. Protect yourself with [[profiles where thunderbird stores user data#w_restoring-a-profile-backup|backups]]. Flaws of low impact might not be fixed quickly, because high impact flaws get higher priority. * Expect seven updates per month, one major update per month plus several small updates. This frequency of updates allows us to ship fixes to you quickly. * Are you using [[difference between imap and pop3|pop accounts]]? Unlike imap accounts, the only copy of your pop mail is in your local Thunderbird profile, so using beta may be more challenging. Your choices when using pop: a) don't add pop accounts to beta, or b) use beta as your production instance permanently, or c) learn how to move your pop data back to the release profile after you are done with beta. * If you have [[Organize Your Messages by Using Filters|mail filters]] that, for example, move mail to local folders, then you must decide whether to run filters in your beta profile or your other profile. == Add-ons == <!-- do not remove this anchor, there are links to it from other locations --> Some add-ons may not work with beta. Consult the [[thunderbird add ons frequently asked questions#w_what-if-my-add-on-is-broken|add-ons FAQ]] if you have difficulty. If you require many add-ons you might want to consider using the normal release. = How to run beta = Beta downloaded from [https://www.mozilla.org/thunderbird/beta/all/ the official download site] will a) install in its own Thunderbird program directory, and b) create a dedicated Thunderbird data profile named default-beta. [[Dedicated profile per Thunderbird|Dedicated profile per Thunderbird]] installation is a method which allows you to have both the release version of Thunderbird and the beta version of Thunderbird operate independently, side by side ... * start the release version of Thunderbird and it will use the "default" (or default-release) profile * start the beta version of Thunderbird and it will use the default-beta profile. If you want to get more complicated, such as running beta and release at the same time, please refer to [[Using Multiple Profiles]], and [[Dedicated profile per Thunderbird installation]] and ask for help in [https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/thunderbird/form Thunderbird support]). = Resources and Assistance = Open the Thunderbird Help menu to check the useful tools and references. Of special note, plus additional items: * Release notes are updated for every new release (Help > About > Release Notes). * As you normally would, post ordinary Thunderbird usage questions at https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/thunderbird/form * Ask beta specific assistance and questions the [https://thunderbird.topicbox.com/groups/beta beta forum] and to meet other beta users. (The forum operates in English. So if you need assistance in another language please ask for help in [https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/thunderbird/form Thunderbird support]) * If you found a problem and are not using a new profile, try to [[Safe Mode Thunderbird|reproduce the problem in safe mode]] and then file a bug report for [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=Thunderbird Thunderbird] or [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=Calendar Calendar]. * Tools > Export can be used to backup your profile, or get to your profile directory quickly. * Go > Mail Start Page (aka Beta Start Page) documents several of the above items and more. = How do I get from a beta version back to a release version? = * If you use multiple, dedicated profiles (one for beta and one for release as recommended), have only imap accounts, and you don't have address book and other information to transfer from beta to release, then you don't need to do anything special. Just start the "normal" Thunderbird release program that you still have installed, which will use the "default" (or default-release) profile that you had not deleted. * For other scenarios and options there will be a future support article. For now, please ask for assistance in support. = Beta isn't for me. How can I help? = [https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/get-involved/ Give involved] lists many ways for you to help in the community and learn more about Thunderbird.

Thank you for your interest in using beta. Whether you are just curious or already using beta, this reference will help you have the best possible experience. Beta is an unusual environment, so we suggest you review this reference (and bookmark it) before you download and use beta.

download the beta

Should I use beta?

Are you interested in helping improve Thunderbird by testing and finding bugs? Then beta is a good place for you to be, because beta gets fixes and new features long before they reach release. You will join thousands who use beta on a daily basis! And we have are many resource and assistance items to help you. But there are also considerations to understand before you take the plunge.

Considerations

Note - now is good time to use beta, because it will be more stable than normal through June 2022 while development is frozen and we touch up version 102's new features.

You will want to do regular backups to protect your Thunderbird data profiles (profiles are described under How to run beta), and consider the following:

• New features may be works in progress and incomplete, because they are often iteratively improved over a period of weeks. The beta forum may mention how new features are making progress.
• Flaws are to be expected. Flaws of potentially high impact including dataloss are very rare, but may occur because of frequent code changes. Protect yourself with backups. Flaws of low impact might not be fixed quickly, because high impact flaws get higher priority.
• Expect seven updates per month, one major update per month plus several small updates. This frequency of updates allows us to ship fixes to you quickly.
• Are you using pop accounts? Unlike imap accounts, the only copy of your pop mail is in your local Thunderbird profile, so using beta may be more challenging. Your choices when using pop: a) don't add pop accounts to beta, or b) use beta as your production instance permanently, or c) learn how to move your pop data back to the release profile after you are done with beta.
• If you have mail filters that, for example, move mail to local folders, then you must decide whether to run filters in your beta profile or your other profile.

Add-ons

Some add-ons may not work with beta. Consult the add-ons FAQ if you have difficulty. If you require many add-ons you might want to consider using the normal release.

How to run beta

Beta downloaded from the official download site will a) install in its own Thunderbird program directory, and b) create a dedicated Thunderbird data profile named default-beta. Dedicated profile per Thunderbird installation is a method which allows you to have both the release version of Thunderbird and the beta version of Thunderbird operate independently, side by side ...

• start the release version of Thunderbird and it will use the "default" (or default-release) profile
• start the beta version of Thunderbird and it will use the default-beta profile.

If you want to get more complicated, such as running beta and release at the same time, please refer to Use multiple profiles in Thunderbird, and Dedicated profile per Thunderbird installation and ask for help in Thunderbird support).

Resources and Assistance

Open the Thunderbird Help menu to check the useful tools and references. Of special note, plus additional items:

• Release notes are updated for every new release (Help > About > Release Notes).
• As you normally would, post ordinary Thunderbird usage questions at https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/thunderbird/form
• Ask beta specific assistance and questions the beta forum and to meet other beta users. (The forum operates in English. So if you need assistance in another language please ask for help in Thunderbird support)
• If you found a problem and are not using a new profile, try to reproduce the problem in safe mode and then file a bug report for Thunderbird or Calendar.
• Tools > Export can be used to backup your profile, or get to your profile directory quickly.
• Go > Mail Start Page (aka Beta Start Page) documents several of the above items and more.

How do I get from a beta version back to a release version?

• If you use multiple, dedicated profiles (one for beta and one for release as recommended), have only imap accounts, and you don't have address book and other information to transfer from beta to release, then you don't need to do anything special. Just start the "normal" Thunderbird release program that you still have installed, which will use the "default" (or default-release) profile that you had not deleted.
• For other scenarios and options there will be a future support article. For now, please ask for assistance in support.

Beta isn't for me. How can I help?

Give involved lists many ways for you to help in the community and learn more about Thunderbird.