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Thunderbird is slow to open even with no add-ons

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 90 views
  • Last reply by Mike109
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Thunderbird is slow to open even with no add-ons.

TB is on a 500GB M.2 NVMe SSD and Windows 10.

It takes about 7-8 seconds to open and there are no add-ons. Takes the same time even on a new profile that is not setup.

Restart with Add-ons disabled reduces this time down to 1-2 seconds, a 5-6 second difference. This is whether on the old profile or the new one. But there are no add-ons anywhere.

Why is there a time difference?

Thunderbird is slow to open even with no add-ons. TB is on a 500GB M.2 NVMe SSD and Windows 10. It takes about 7-8 seconds to open and there are no add-ons. Takes the same time even on a new profile that is not setup. Restart with Add-ons disabled reduces this time down to 1-2 seconds, a 5-6 second difference. This is whether on the old profile or the new one. But there are no add-ons anywhere. Why is there a time difference?

All Replies (5)

One possibiity is to do with graphics and/or hardware acceleration.

Assuming your graphics driver is up to date, I suggest you switch off hardware acceleration.

  • Menu app icon (3 lines icon) > Preferences > General
  • Scroll to the bottom
  • Uncheck the checkbox 'Use hardware acceleration when available'
  • Restart Thunderbird.

I already tried Unchecking "Use hardware acceleration when available" and "Enable Global Search and Indexer", but that did not make any difference.

Thunderbird is the only program/app that is slow to open, everything else opens very quickly.

If the startup time is significantly faster in safe/troubleshoot mode, and add-ons, including themes and language packs, and hardware acceleration, are not the cause, the other likely source is a broken layout. Try selecting 'Reset toolbars and controls', 'Make changes & restart' at the safe mode prompt.

The only changes I previously made to TB was deleting the calendar on the right side & showing a preview pane at the bottom.

If I click "Continue in Safe Mode" it loads fast & shows the calendar but not the lower preview pane.

If I 'Reset toolbars and controls', 'Make changes & restart', it loads slow & shows the calendar but not the lower preview pane.

Now it permanently (until I change it) shows the calendar but not the lower preview pane, and loads slow.

If I proceed to click "Continue in Safe Mode" it loads fast & shows the calendar but not the lower preview pane, just like it did before in Safe Mode.

Even a brand new profile that says Welcome & has absolutely nothing set up loads slow.

Any other suggestions on what to try?