Windows 10 will reach EOS (end of support) on October 14, 2025. For more information, see this article.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Cannot update display name for certain email addresses even with empty address book

  • 1 reply
  • 0 have this problem
  • 24 views
  • Last reply by Matt

kijima91806
kijima91806
more options

I am experiencing an issue in Thunderbird where the display name in the message list does not update correctly for certain email addresses.

Environment

Thunderbird version: (e.g., 115.12.1 64bit)

OS: Windows 10 Pro 64bit (version ...)

Symptoms

I deleted the entire address book (abook.sqlite, history.sqlite, etc.), so it is completely empty.

However, in the Sent or Inbox folder, some addresses still show the old display name that I previously assigned.

When I right-click the address → "Add to Address Book", the new display name is not applied for these specific addresses.

Other addresses work fine under the same conditions.

Tried

Deleted cache files (global-messages-db.sqlite, .msf, panacea.dat)

Cleared Collected Addresses

Created a new profile and tested again

Restored profile from one week ago

Result

In all cases, some addresses still do not update the display name.

Question

Is this a known Thunderbird bug?

Besides clearing caches and history, is there any way to control the priority of display name shown in the message list?

I am experiencing an issue in Thunderbird where the display name in the message list does not update correctly for certain email addresses. Environment Thunderbird version: (e.g., 115.12.1 64bit) OS: Windows 10 Pro 64bit (version ...) Symptoms I deleted the entire address book (abook.sqlite, history.sqlite, etc.), so it is completely empty. However, in the Sent or Inbox folder, some addresses still show the old display name that I previously assigned. When I right-click the address → "Add to Address Book", the new display name is not applied for these specific addresses. Other addresses work fine under the same conditions. Tried Deleted cache files (global-messages-db.sqlite, .msf, panacea.dat) Cleared Collected Addresses Created a new profile and tested again Restored profile from one week ago Result In all cases, some addresses still do not update the display name. Question Is this a known Thunderbird bug? Besides clearing caches and history, is there any way to control the priority of display name shown in the message list?

Chosen solution

have you looked at the message source of the email to be sure the display name that is being shown is not actually in the source of the email?

Generally an email has Display name (email address) in the from: Field. In the absence of Thunderbird's handy substitution of that with stuff from the address book, that is what is shown.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (1)

Matt
Matt
  • Top 10 Contributor
  • Moderator
more options

Chosen Solution

have you looked at the message source of the email to be sure the display name that is being shown is not actually in the source of the email?

Generally an email has Display name (email address) in the from: Field. In the absence of Thunderbird's handy substitution of that with stuff from the address book, that is what is shown.

Helpful?

Ask a question

You must log in to your account to reply to posts. Please start a new question, if you do not have an account yet.