Thanks, I think I understand that but sure don't understand how it happened. But there is an interesting happening at Peter local. When I try to open FF or TB I get a message saying both are in use, close those incidences and continue. What? Task Manager gives no such information. Also I cannot open Edge or Chrome. Nothing happens.  ???

Can I transfer data between accounts?

Windows 10 has all kinds of ways of confusing most people. You have set up to use MSA which offers all kinds of auto access to various apps because you sign in and the account is synced with the Microsoft Store. However, you should understand what you are allowing. eg: If you use OneDrive then MS get full access to all emails documents etc.

Local accounts are local on your computer, they are more private. If you do not use a load of apps then it may be a better option. I suggest you get to know what is controlling what and which account is the admin account. Be aware that MS will have access to everything if it is within the MS account.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-security-winpc/microsoft-account-vs-local-account-on-windows-10/da6826f7-5e9b-48bf-8e0d-bf25456b4e0e

re :When I try to open FF or TB I get a message saying both are in use Sounds like they were not closed down correctly. Access each profile name folder and delete the 'parent.lock' file.

I suggest you check permissions to find out what 'Peter' is allowed to use. Is 'Peter' set up as the admin account? If you want to keep your emails really private then I would keep it in a 'Local' User Account eg: Peter.

If you are signing in to MSA and by default get PDRoof User Account then this account has been merged because it is the option you chose at the time of creating the MSA..

You can choose to move your profile to anywhere you choose. Moving your Profile:

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_your_profile_folder_-_Thunderbird

Object of this thread is to get my mail files back that disappeared in June. I have an appropriate Profile back up and inserted it in profiles but when I open TB I just get the Trouble Shooting Instruction screen with a pop up "would you like a new email ......" There are no mail accounts listed on the Trouble Shooting Screen. Ergo, there must be some other file involved. That file appears to be Prefs.js. It has a size of only 8K. There is, however, a Prefs.js back up file substantially larger that has listings for mail.server..... Can I delete the .js and rename the back up file from Prefs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.js to just plain .js? or am I asking for complications or is my thinking wrong?

This thread is a support topic for Microsoft Windows.

Once you sort out your Microsoft Windows accounts then there will be hope of copying the Thunderbird profile data to the account you finally settle on. That would be using the recover a missing profile folder information you were given at the beginning of the thread or the moving your profile folder information here http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_your_profile_folder_-_Thunderbird

Did the link already to get to where I am. Still wondering about making changes to the prefs.js file.

pedsto said

Still wondering about making changes to the prefs.js file.

Thunderbird has a config editor that is the low level way to edit the prefs.js information where other user interface options do not allow the editing of specific preferences. But as your issue is not contained in the prefs.js file doing so will be more than a little counter productive. I would suggest completely destructive really.

Please explain "completely destructive really"

I see an import selection in TB, but the program then looks for another mail application. An import would work if I could import from another profile. And it is not completely clear if that import would merge or over write.

re :I see an import selection in TB, but the program then looks for another mail application.

I suggest you read the information that was previously provided in the links as it does not suggest using the Import option you are refering to.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Moving_your_profile_folder_-_Thunderbird
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_Manager

Exit Thunderbird. You have to copy the 'profile name' folder - 1ypt9j39.restoration profile - from the 'Peter' User Account into the PDRoof User Account 'Profiles' folder . Same profile storage location just a different user account. Then in PDRoof User Account, use 'Profile Manager' to create a profile which links to the one you have just copied from 'Peter'.

Start Thunderbird.

I've tried that and I get a message requesting that I start an account. Seems that TB is missing something from the Profile. Agree that is the right path. I will pursue.

I believe I'm beginning to understand what is going on. Apparently TB uses the pop setting as an entry to TB profiles. Under profile-Mail I find several entries, each of which has an inbox. In the process of resetting my account settings I have used several pop entries. Strangely, most of my old messages are in a folder: mail.ispwest.com. That is an isp I used 15 years ago. Heaven knows why my pre 6/18/18 activity is in that folder and my ISP has been comcast.