Did you use the "Refresh" feature of Windows that creates a backup folder of your data under

C:\Windows.old

If so, your old profile folder should be in there.

Set Windows to show hidden files and folders. See: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14201/windows-show-hidden-files

Then explore

C:\Windows.old\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles

Anything there?

Hi thanks for replying. No, i had probs with PC so removed everything and started again. Windows.old has nothing in it. As a side i have been reading my emails today through my isp. But I need TB as it has all my contacts and archives.

Do you make backups of your system anywhere that wouldn't have gotten erased?

Otherwise, it's most likely gone forever. You could try erased file recovery, but after you re-install on the same disk, the probability of finding undamaged files is low:

• http://www.piriform.com/recuva
• Files would be in the profile folder: Profiles - Where Thunderbird stores your messages and other user data
• Possibly necessary: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14201/windows-show-hidden-files

Hi no backups made. But i do have my pop3 address, a password and a port number. I have an outgoing smtp address too. Could we piece it together that way. As i said before i can read my emails through Virgin media.

You certainly can set up Thunderbird to connect to the server and work with what is on there now. With a POP connection instead of IMAP, that's probably limited to the Inbox. See: Glossary of Terms including types of Accounts.

Unless you had set Thunderbird pop account to not delete your email (which is not the default and not recommended), then your old data is gone.

A case for having good backups.