Firefox deleted Thunderbird - completely
Hi there
Having detailed in a separate post my difficulties where install fails on insufficient space, I am now in a puzzling loop:
Installed Firefox, tailored it, substituted my older prefs.js file and got it all going well; just as I like it. This being about the third time I installed in this new machine running Windows 10 (bring back XP Pro; it worked).
Then I installed Thunderbird, tailored it to my liking, closed it at least once, opened it again and it looked great.
Next thing I noticed is that the Firefox shortcuts were missing the image (on desktop and in task bar). When I tried to run it, Windows told me this app could not run on this PC.
So I thought I will reinstall it. Note that since I had read somewhere that Firefox and Thunderbird were using the same prefs file (of which I actually found no evidence; I found two separate files along the way) I decided to install into the same folder, basically Mozilla.
On reinstall I am offered the option to Upgrade, which I accepted. Thereafter all looked good again. Until I tried to launch Thunderbird. When I clicked its shortcut, which was then also missing the image, I am now told the application cannot be found.
When I then checked the installation folder, I found no trace of Thunderbird; nor is it listed in the Windows list of installed programs.
My conclusion is that Thunderbird entirely wiped the installation from the machine.
Is this something I caused in ignorance?
Chosen solution
I think it is very likely something your doing. What I really do not know. But I would hazard a guess your in the habit of installing programs in a locations other than that defined by windows in the First major mistake. Windows makes this more and more difficult as time goes by. Windows has trouble with programs that are not installed in the %programfiles% and %programfiles(x86)% environment variable locations. You can modify windows to redefine the physical locations, but simply placing executable programs where you want will cause you issues.
Thunderbird and Firefox sare some core code, along with sea monkey so all have every similar profiles folders. But the do not share profiles, except in the case of seamonkey.
Thunderbird's profile will be in the %appdata% environment variable location under the Thunderbird folder. Firefox will be under Mozilla\Firefox.
The bottom line is, forget almost everything you think you know about windows. Substitute UNIX and OSX information (and recover that old DOS knowledge) and you will be getting close to Windows 10.
Data structures are rigid, folder permissions are normal. Even running as administrator is not really a exception to security like it used to be.
Read this answer in context 👍 2All Replies (4)
Chosen Solution
I think it is very likely something your doing. What I really do not know. But I would hazard a guess your in the habit of installing programs in a locations other than that defined by windows in the First major mistake. Windows makes this more and more difficult as time goes by. Windows has trouble with programs that are not installed in the %programfiles% and %programfiles(x86)% environment variable locations. You can modify windows to redefine the physical locations, but simply placing executable programs where you want will cause you issues.
Thunderbird and Firefox sare some core code, along with sea monkey so all have every similar profiles folders. But the do not share profiles, except in the case of seamonkey.
Thunderbird's profile will be in the %appdata% environment variable location under the Thunderbird folder. Firefox will be under Mozilla\Firefox.
The bottom line is, forget almost everything you think you know about windows. Substitute UNIX and OSX information (and recover that old DOS knowledge) and you will be getting close to Windows 10.
Data structures are rigid, folder permissions are normal. Even running as administrator is not really a exception to security like it used to be.
Hi Matt,
Thank you kindly for your input, and, yes, just as you thought. I prefer to install programs in a separate partition. This has worked extremely well for me in the past. And, yes, it seems doing this becomes more and more difficult.
I will not argue my case, nor speak badly of MS or Windows 10, although that is giving me heaps of issues. Furthermore, I am now stuck on Skype with issues that I suspect go back to the very same cause; being installed away from C:\
The good news is that reinstalling Thunderbird into a folder of my choice but not the same as Firefox has worked. And I reckon Thunderbird is just brilliant. Thanks for caring to respond. Peter
Modified by Peter Fischer
I have not personally done it, but I suggest you have a look at this article. http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/nifty-way-safely-move-folders-or-programs-another-drive-or-partition-windows-7.htm
Moving things like program files and my documents particularly is a bit of a thing at the moment as folks buy SSD drives that are not big enough for the usual bloat. The best way is to change windows as firstly your can then forget the where in software installs. It will always be the right location. Finally you do not get the odd glitches in software that assumes it can find its data using %appdata%.
That is one interesting method to know. I may try that before I get too deeply into Windows 10. The idea that I can move the entire Programs folder off C:\ is attractive; if I dare do it.
Currently, I have the same issues with Skype; and that is a Microsoft-owned product, for crying out loud.