Tbird says it's updated, but isn't. I have 12.0.1 and it won't let me update.
Hi --
Tbird won't let me update. It keeps telling me it's updated, but it's not. I've got it configured to update automatically, and have tried all the solutions here https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-software-update-failed except for installing a new version over the old one.
Any help would be appreciated. :)
Kate
Chosen solution
The main difference between an update and a reinstall is the amount of data you have to download. There are obvious advantages to downloading a few hundreds of kilobytes for a patch as opposed to the multi megabytes needed for a full install.
I'm not sure what the terminology is, but Thunderbird has version breaks which don't update but require an install of the next issue. I think you have reached one such point. Occasionally there are changes in the stored data structure and the corresponding upgrade (i.e. a full install, not an update) would have an automatic conversion built in to handle this. There was one such between TB2 and TB3, and there may have been another round about TB17, IIRC.
I think that before doing anything else, you need to make a backup of your current profile.
I'd then try just installing the current version and see what happens. If that doesn't deliver, we can look at what intermediate version(s) you might need to use to get a smooth transition.
Or you can just decide to ignore all the warnings and prompts, and stay where you are, but of course I must remind you that along the way there will have been security issues which might leave you vulnerable to hacks and malware.
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (5)
I'd suggest you install a new version over the old one. Why have you stopped short of doing this?
Zenos said
I'd suggest you install a new version over the old one. Why have you stopped short of doing this?
Because the Help page I linked to calls that solution a "Last resort," which sounds a bit dire, so I was waiting to see if anyone knows for certain that it's okay to do that without messing up anything. :)
Kate
Chosen Solution
The main difference between an update and a reinstall is the amount of data you have to download. There are obvious advantages to downloading a few hundreds of kilobytes for a patch as opposed to the multi megabytes needed for a full install.
I'm not sure what the terminology is, but Thunderbird has version breaks which don't update but require an install of the next issue. I think you have reached one such point. Occasionally there are changes in the stored data structure and the corresponding upgrade (i.e. a full install, not an update) would have an automatic conversion built in to handle this. There was one such between TB2 and TB3, and there may have been another round about TB17, IIRC.
I think that before doing anything else, you need to make a backup of your current profile.
I'd then try just installing the current version and see what happens. If that doesn't deliver, we can look at what intermediate version(s) you might need to use to get a smooth transition.
Or you can just decide to ignore all the warnings and prompts, and stay where you are, but of course I must remind you that along the way there will have been security issues which might leave you vulnerable to hacks and malware.
Okay, I've backed up my profile and will give it a shot installing new over old, and will let you know how it goes. And thank you.
Kate
Freakin awesome. Took less than a minute and kept my profile.
Thanks again. :)
Kate