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How to dowload a recent version of Thunderbird while keeping an older version (2 different versions in one PC, with 2 different profiles)

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  • Last reply by sfhowes

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Hi,

I have Thunderbird version 17.0.8 installed in my computer (Windows 10). I would like to download a more recent version while keeping the older version. I would use the older version only to visualize my old emails (huge archive), so no updates are needed. I would use the newer version with a new profile for my future emails. Can you help?

Thanks a lot in advance,

M

Hi, I have Thunderbird version 17.0.8 installed in my computer (Windows 10). I would like to download a more recent version while keeping the older version. I would use the older version only to visualize my old emails (huge archive), so no updates are needed. I would use the newer version with a new profile for my future emails. Can you help? Thanks a lot in advance, M

Chosen solution

Install the new version to a separate folder, then don't launch it at the end of setup. Start the new version with Profile Manager from the Run window (Winkey+R):

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird new\thunderbird.exe -p or similar path

Uncheck 'Use the selected profile...'. Create a new profile, name it, then launch new TB in the new profile.

When you launch TB 17, the Profile Manager will appear where you can select the old profile, if it isn't autoselected.

Once you have the new profile running, it's probably more convenient to copy the local mail (mbox files in the old profile) to Mail/Local Folders in the new profile for easy access.

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Chosen Solution

Install the new version to a separate folder, then don't launch it at the end of setup. Start the new version with Profile Manager from the Run window (Winkey+R):

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird new\thunderbird.exe -p or similar path

Uncheck 'Use the selected profile...'. Create a new profile, name it, then launch new TB in the new profile.

When you launch TB 17, the Profile Manager will appear where you can select the old profile, if it isn't autoselected.

Once you have the new profile running, it's probably more convenient to copy the local mail (mbox files in the old profile) to Mail/Local Folders in the new profile for easy access.

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Thank you, it worked!

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This is what I need. But since I'm not computer savvy. It didn't work for me. I simply don't understand. Call me ignorant. You say "install", but do you mean "download". i.e. Download the ".exe" to a separate folder than the old one. i.e. And then, install it where? Am I supposed to create a "C\Program File\Mozilla\Thunderbird new"? This is over my head. And I need it - badly. Because I'm scared of v115 and how to tweak/adjust/enable, etc. I hate having to relearn a bunch of stuff that is "change for the sake of change"!

So, as of now. I have v115 downloaded to a file folder called "Thunderbird New"

And then install it from that new folder? But don't "launch" it. What is Launch? Here's where I'm at: the '.exe' file is in a folder marked Thunderbird New. If I click on that, it goes to the install window. Extracts something. And then asks if I want to install. And that's where I'm stumped. It says above that I should not launch. Should I continue with the install/extract and is there some place after that that I can "not launch"?

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If the method is not within your skill set, don't bother with 115, and continue to use 102. Just make sure automatic updates are disabled. I don't think there's any major risk at the moment to staying with 102, and though you might have to periodically dismiss prompts to update, that is a small matter compared to dealing with an unwanted new version.