re :my thunderbird freezes at the point of checking mails.

It is possible you have another program which is intervening and causing a problem. Check through the following first.

Exit Thunderbird then do the following. Please do not assume anything.

Firewall:

• Access Firewall - it might be the default on computer or controlled by an Anti-Virus prgram.
• Set up Thunderbird program as 'allowed' so nothing gets blocked.
• Confirm Thunderbird is set up as allowed program.

VPN:

• Check computer for a VPN. Some Anti-Virus products now offer a VPN and I have come across some people who did not realise one had been enabled.
• Switch off VPN (or create split tunnelling and set it up for Thunderbird to use).
• Most servers does not like VPN as it attempts to hide your IP address, so server decides you might be hacker so it auto blocks access.
• Confirm VPN is switched off

Anti-Virus: Is it set up to scan anything you download or evenscan any file that gets opened ? Anti-Virus is the most common issue when it comes to causing a not responding issue.

• Advise: access Anti-Virus and set Thunderbird folder containg profile data to be excluded from scans. See below as it tells you what 'Thunderbird' folder I'm talking about.

If you downloaded Thunderbird from the official webpage and you use Windows OS:

• https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/

Then by default the Thunderbird folder containg all profile data will be in this location:

• C://Users/username/Appdata/Roaming/Thunderbird

So please tell me if you use a different OS or if you got Thunderbird from Windows App store or Snap or Flatpak.

Please check all the above is done, restart Thunderbird and report back on results.

thank you so much for your amazing response. i've checked all of the above and it's ok. however i am noticing something really strange. i can't find neither my app folder nor my profile folder. the path you sent me doesn't have it. neither did the roaming folder contain anything with the name mozilla or thunderbird. i wish i could find them as i know i can delete some .msf files and it might help my issue. i am lost!

In Windows OS Each computer User account will have an Appdata folder, but Windows may have 'hidden' it.

If you open : C://Users/ your user account name Click on 'View' to see drop down and at the bottom of list - hover mouse over 'Show' to see more options and at the bottom select 'Hidden Items'

I've added an image below as a guide. If you cannot see it properly - in this forum question, you can clickon the thumbnail imgae and it will become much larger.

But the location of your profile really does depend upon whether you got Thunderbird from the official website OR via the 'Windows App Store'.

I've mentioned the default location assuming you got it from the official download website.

But if you got it via the 'Windows App Store' then Windows is a pain and puts the profile in a more complicated location. That's why I need to know where did you get the download/installation of Thunderbird ?

you're right. i got it from windows store. total nightmare. i can't even upgrade that version because when i download from the website it installs a "Fresh" verison in the proper location as it should be. what do you suggest i do as i have 24 email addresses all running on thunderbird!

Windows App Store puts the 'Thunderbird' folder here:

• C://Users/username/AppData/Local/Packages/MozillaThunderbird.MZLA_h5892qc0xkpca/LocalCache/Roaming/Thunderbird

If you want to stop using the 'Windows App Store' version of Thunderbird and instead use a download installation from the website:

• https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/

Then do the following: Exit Thunderbird Access: C://Users/username/AppData/Local/Packages/MozillaThunderbird.MZLA_h5892qc0xkpca/LocalCache/Roaming folder. Get a copy of the 'Thunderbird' folder.

Access: C://Users/username/Appdata/Roaming folder Paste the copied Thunderbird folder into the 'Roaming' folder. Then click on 'Thunderbird' folder Click on 'Profiles' folder click on the 'profile name' folder delete this file 'compatibility.ini' -- why do this you may ask ? It will then allow you to choose the version you want to install.

Uninstall the windows app store Thunderbird program.

Go to this link:

• https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/

Make your careful selection of the version you require. Note: Channel called 'Thunderbird Release' is version 145.0 It gets updates every month to display new features as well all the usual bug and security updates. It says it's recommended, but it's only benificial if you want a lot of new feature updates.

Channel called 'Thunderbird Extended Support Release' is currently version 140.5.0esr It does all bug and security updates monthly but does all new features on an annual basis.

Because you deleted that 'compatibility.ini' file, it would mean you can choose either.

If Thunderbird is from the official website then profiles are stored in a much easier location to find. You will also discover a lot more helpful instructions on profiles.

It's also a lot easier to locate that 'Thunderbird' folder just in case you want to do a backup or want to set up Anti-virus to not scan that folder or it's contents. C://Users/username/Appdata/Roaming/Thunderbird

Your Thunderbird program downloaded from the official website will be in one of the following locations by default.

If using 64bit:

• C://Program Files/Mozilla Thunderbird

If using 32bit

• C://Program Files (86)/Mozilla Thunderbird

Although I've got a 64 bit version running from that Program Files(86) location will no problems.

i think you've hit the nail on the head. doing the step by step that you just gave me. are you an employee of mozilla? how do you know so much? i wouldn't have found that file location even if i spent my whole life searching every folder on my HD. will keep you posted and thank you!!

hi. i followed the steps above but when i open the new Thunderbird it is asking me to setup all my accounts from scratch. is this normal? i put the folders in the correct locations for sure.

and strangely enough the program location is not the directories that you have stated above. i definitely downloaded from the provided link but it seems that my hexed pc keeps hiding the data elsewhere!