Upgrading from an older version of Thunderbird

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  • Revision id: 277321
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  • Creator: Roland Tanglao
  • Comment: added collapsible sections WIP: do not approve, needs Wayne's approval
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Still on an older version of Thunderbird and looking to upgrade? Luckily, the process is fairly straight-forward.

Before we begin

During a version update, some versions of Thunderbird perform data and other conversions (for example address book data) to enable new capabilities. If you skip an important version, then Thunderbird may not work, you may have missing or incorrect data, or other complications may occur. To avoid this, closely follow these directions.

During this process, third-party add-ons may require an update, or may no longer work on newer versions of Thunderbird.

Check which version of Thunderbird you currently have installed using Find what version of Thunderbird you are using.

Important: Before upgrading, always back up your profile. Please see Profiles - Where Thunderbird stores your messages and other user data for more information. Also ensure your computer is compatible with the latest version of Thunderbird.

Most common situation: Automatic upgrade with 60.9.1 or newer

Due to changes with how the address book is stored, you need to be on version 60.90.1 or newer and then you will be able to automatically upgrade to the current version of Thunderbird. Thunderbird 78 will upgrade your address book to the newer format that later Thunderbird versions use.

Automatically upgrade to the current version

The automatic upgrade system will upgrade your Thunderbird in multiple steps from the version you start with (60.9.1 or newer) to the current version. The number of steps varies depending on where you start. If you start at 60.9.1, you will go from 60.9.1 to 68.12.1 to 78.14 to 91.13 to 102.15.1 to the current version (TB 115 or newer).

Repeat the following steps until you are at the current version of Thunderbird (which is TB115 Supernova or newer)

  • Click ≡ > Help > About Thunderbird (About Mozilla Thunderbird in TB60)
  • Click Restart Thunderbird ({Restart to update Thunderbird in TB60)
  • Wait for the newly upgraded Thunderbird to open

And that's it, you've now upgraded to the latest version of Thunderbird! The interface may have changed a bit from the version you were previously on. We recommend spending a bit of time familiarizing yourself with any interface changes

Edge Case: For those on versions older than 60

Manual Upgrade for those on versions older than 60

Automatic upgrades will not work if you are on a version older than 60. The process is:

  1. Manually download the next version in the following list, install it and
    Important: Once you have upgraded, open Thunderbird at least once before continuing.
  2. Repeat until you get to Thunderbird 60.9.0

Manual upgrade version order list

  1. 1.5.0.14 32 bit
  2. 2.0.0.24 32 bit
  3. 3.0.11 32 bit
  4. 3.1.20 32 bit
  5. 5.0 32 bit
  6. 12.0.1 32 bit
  7. 15.0.1 can be skipped
  8. 17.0.8 32 bit
  9. 24.8.0 32 bit
  10. 45.8.0 32 bit
  11. 52.9.1 32 bit
  12. 60.9.0 32 bit
  1. 1.5.0.14
  2. 2.0.0.24
  3. 3.0.11
  4. 3.1.20
  5. 5.0
  6. 12.0.1
  7. 15.0.1 can be skipped
  8. 17.0.8
  9. 24.8.0
  10. 45.8.0
  11. 52.9.1
  12. 60.9.0
  1. 1.5.0.14
  2. 2.0.0.24
  3. 3.0.11
  4. 3.1.20
  5. 5.0
  6. 12.0.1
  7. 15.0.1 can be skipped
  8. 17.0.8
  9. 24.8.0
  10. 45.8.0
  11. 52.9.1
  12. 60.9.0

Need help?

Don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance. We have a fantastic Support Knowledge Base with pre-existing topics that may be of use. Can't find a topic for your particular need, try asking a question to our dedicated community.