re: QUERY: 1. Should I just wait and see if this latest version of Thunderbird will download itself automatically? . . (Though I'm getting fed up with this message coming up every time I go to my emails, and wish I could find a way to shut it up!).

No. It says it cannot update. You do not mention what version you are currently using. The current release is version 91.4.1

Do you have any 'Updater Software' running on your computer because it might be controlling program updates on your computer rather than allowing Thunderbird to control it. If it locates an update then it might be forcing Thunderbird to say there is an update. Sometimes Anti-Virus software can get in the way of program downloads, but I believe you have already asked this question before and had a reponse.

What setting do have in Thunderbird?

• Menu app icon > 'Options' or 'Preferences'
• select 'General'
• Scroll down to 'Updates' section

Here it will tell you what version you are currently running. You have two choices, choose which you prefer.

• Select 'automatically install updates' or 'check for updates, but let me choose whether to install them'
• Uncheck - do not select checkbox 'Use a background service to install updates'

re: QUERY: 2. How can I be sure that any new version of Thunderbird won't go and alter/remove any of the current features that I like and am accustomed to?

If I knew what version you are currently using then I would have some understanding of what you would see in the standard Thunderbird. At each major update, you can expect new functionality or improved functionality. Functionality or design may need to be improved/adapted to be more inclusive for those with specific needs like accessibilty. But I do not know what current features you like nor what you are accustomed to. Anyone can adapt to new modification, it's just a question of muscle memory and using it.

If talking about addon extensions then you would have to check to see if addon works with current version - you may need to get an update. I do not know what addon extensions you are currently using. Some addons are no longer required as functionality gets included into the standard Thunderbird.

You could check the information in the Articles and/or Release Notes which explain updates, changes, fixes etc. For example -

• https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/91.4.1/releasenotes/
• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/new-thunderbird-91

re: QUERY: 3. If I found it had altered/removed features that I liked etc, could I ever get these re-instated?

It is really not a wise move to try to downgrade because you end up using an outdated Thunderbird which just makes it all the harder later on. You cannot simply go back to installing a previous version, you would need to uninstall Thunderbird, then reintstall older version - depending upon that version you may need to alter files as well and not launch immediately - you would need to use the command thunderbird.exe --allow-downgrade to launch Thunderbird the first time. In some cases there are significant changes to file formats. So if concerned, it would be best to exit Thunderbird and create a full backup of the Roaming/'Thunderbird' folder before updating, so if necessary,you could reinstall the complete folders and files that version was using prior update and then it would be easier to download and reinstall whatever version those files used.

re MY PROBLEM - When I click on 'Download Thunderbird' nothing happens, except that I'm taken to here: '

When you click on the link 'Download Thunderbird', it takes you to the webpage where you can find the download: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-GB/ So obviously something happened - That is the webpage location where you can choose to get a download. At this point nothing has been downloaded because you have not clicked on the 'Free download' button.

Please note you would need uninstall the current version of Thunderbird first.

• Exit Thunderbird if it is running.
• If using Windows OS, in search type: Remove
• select 'Add or Remove Programs'
• Select 'Mozilla Thunderbird' and click on uninstall.

Then get a download of the current version of Thunderbird. Either from : https://www.thunderbird.net/en-GB/ where you need to click on the 'Free Download' button - see image below.

OR from: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/#E where you then choose English (British) version and then choose the version suitable for your Operating System. If you Windows OS uses 64bit then click on the green font 'Windows 64-bit' or if you want to use 32bit click on the black font 'Windows 32-bit' Thunderbird will then get downloaded to your computer. If you have Windows OS - Usually anything you download is put into your 'Downloads' folder. Look at this info as a guide:

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/installing-thunderbird-windows

Hello Toad-Hall and many thanks for your marvelously detailed reply, and for providing the useful links!

Sorry to be delayed in replying to you. I've been - slowly - trying to absorb the info in your reply, and hopefully to put some of this into action..... However, this is likely to be a slow slow process for me. I have problems with my memory and keeping track of things, plus - most frustratingly, Life happens!

I've attached an image of what I got when I went into 'About Thunderbird' yesterday (Weds 12th) - so, it appears that I'm on version 91.4.0 (32-bit), and that I'm 'currently on the release update channel'. ['Release' was in Bold]. Not sure what a 'menu app icon' is.

You mentioned that I would have to 'uninstall my current Thunderbird first'...... I'll have to have 'face to face' help here, as I'm nervous about installing/uninstalling, and downloading on my own! But I do see your point about not trying to reinstate outdated versions - I'd only been meaning about the possibility of reinstating certain features, not reinstalling a whole program/app.

Not sure what 'Updater Software' is. My Anti-Virus/Security is Webroot. Before that I was on Eset - which I don't think ever got uninstalled, because I've never gone into how to do that! So, could this uninstalled Eset be causing the problem?

I'll try and respond to/act on other points you've made, later. However, for now, time and energy has once more run out on me!

Many thanks again, though!

This appears to be solved per https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1362572#answer-1476988 Duplicated topic apparently.