How to download older versions of Thunderbird
I have just had to install thunderbird on a new PC, and the email setup system is causing serious crash errors (red boxes with lots of text and Stack Overflow programming bugs (the actual thing not the website) ). I want to try installing an older version of Thunderbird, specifically 78.13.0
And I can't. The thunderbird website only gives me the ability to download the new version 91 or nothing at all.
I can find possibly older versions of thunderbird from 3rd party websites but they look a little.... off and I don't fully trust their content,
But, Why on why can't Thunderbird offer historic downloads of previous versions for those that need them or those that want to explore if they work on our specific systems.
How do I download version 78.13 from a reliable source?
Modified by martin_two
Chosen solution
A possible solution is to manually edit the Mozilla Firefox download link:
For example: Version 78.13.0 / Windows 64bit / en-US https://download.mozilla.org/?product=thunderbird-78.13.0-SSL&os=win64&lang=en-US
For example: Version 68.12.0 / Windows 64bit / en-US For example Version https://download.mozilla.org/?product=thunderbird-68.12.0-SSL&os=win64&lang=en-US
You can use the Release notes here: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/releases/ to find the exact version you need.
But really, Mozilla should be putting this all in a page, or at least putting a download link on each of the Releases Release Notes page (that seems most logical).
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (4)
Chosen Solution
A possible solution is to manually edit the Mozilla Firefox download link:
For example: Version 78.13.0 / Windows 64bit / en-US https://download.mozilla.org/?product=thunderbird-78.13.0-SSL&os=win64&lang=en-US
For example: Version 68.12.0 / Windows 64bit / en-US For example Version https://download.mozilla.org/?product=thunderbird-68.12.0-SSL&os=win64&lang=en-US
You can use the Release notes here: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/releases/ to find the exact version you need.
But really, Mozilla should be putting this all in a page, or at least putting a download link on each of the Releases Release Notes page (that seems most logical).
Modified by martin_two
The error is a known bug with a workaround:
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1725812
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1347304
All releases are available here:
sfhowes said
All releases are available here: https://archive.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/
This is sort of what I was looking for but is hard for anyone not tech savvy to use. How would I know about this page from the Thunderbird official website? THAT is my issue; that releases are so hard to find
Modified by martin_two
You wouldn't know about the archive site from the official site, and I think that is a deliberate measure to steer users to the current release, especially now that moving between old and new releases requires some tech savvy (profile per installation etc.). In my view, a more serious flaw is posting the new version on the official site long before it is released as an automatic update to the previous version. Most users should see 78.13 on the official site until 91 bugs are resolved to the point where auto-update is justified. Links to 91 downloads should be accompanied by a disclaimer that it's only intended at the moment for experienced users who can run it without affecting their current setup (separate installations and profiles).