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I'm trying unsuccessfully to install Thunderbird, and keep getting a welcome screen with no place for a password that goes nowhere.

jeffrey.sawyer

Copilot has prepared a message for me: Subject: Thunderbird always loads corrupted profile and ignores new profiles

Message:

Thunderbird is stuck loading the same corrupted profile and always shows the welcome screen, even when I create new profiles.

I used the Profile Manager via thunderbird.exe -p and created new profiles (“Clean” and “Clean2”). Both profile folders exist in %APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles. However, Thunderbird still launches the same original profile every time.

Even when I select “Clean2” in the Profile Manager (with “Use the selected profile without asking” unchecked), Thunderbird ignores the selection and loads the old profile. Safe Mode (thunderbird.exe -safe-mode) also does not disable the welcome module.

This appears to be a profiles.ini corruption or a profile lock issue, because Thunderbird is not switching profiles even though the Profile Manager shows the correct selection.

Could you advise how to repair or reset the profile configuration so Thunderbird will actually load a new profile?

Thank you.

Copilot has prepared a message for me: Subject: Thunderbird always loads corrupted profile and ignores new profiles Message: Thunderbird is stuck loading the same corrupted profile and always shows the welcome screen, even when I create new profiles. I used the Profile Manager via thunderbird.exe -p and created new profiles (“Clean” and “Clean2”). Both profile folders exist in %APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles. However, Thunderbird still launches the same original profile every time. Even when I select “Clean2” in the Profile Manager (with “Use the selected profile without asking” unchecked), Thunderbird ignores the selection and loads the old profile. Safe Mode (thunderbird.exe -safe-mode) also does not disable the welcome module. This appears to be a profiles.ini corruption or a profile lock issue, because Thunderbird is not switching profiles even though the Profile Manager shows the correct selection. Could you advise how to repair or reset the profile configuration so Thunderbird will actually load a new profile? Thank you.

All Replies (1)

re :Thunderbird is stuck loading the same corrupted profile and always shows the welcome screen,

When I launch Thunderbird, the auto enabled Message Pane always displays the Welcome message. However, if disable it then it doesn't. How to disable:

  • Settings > General
  • Thunderbird start page:
  • uncheck : 'When Thunderbird launches, show the Start Page in the Message area'

Image would be appreciated showing the problem as maybe you have something different. What makes you believe it's a corrupted profile ?

If you created a new profile that points to the original profile then the original profile will open. It would be useful to see images of the following: In Thunderbird

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • Application Basics - near the bottom of that section - click on 'about:profiles'

It shows all profiles. Make window as large as possible and post image showing contents of 'about:profiles'


re :%APPDATA%\Thunderbird\

Maybe you mean: C:Users/username/Appdata/Roaming/Thunderbird ? Access: C:Users/username/Appdata/Roaming/Thunderbird folder

Open 'profiles.ini' using Notepad Post an image showing all contents.

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