How do you determine that both versions are installed? If so, then which version do you start, and how do you select the desired version? And why would you want to install these two versions in parallel in the first place?

Hi, That's what Iobit Smart uninstall had in its records. I don't select a version - I just click on the icon which seems to be 60.6.1. I don't CHOSE to install two versions obviously, though I had to install several times, if I remember right, when I first set it up

That's what Iobit Smart uninstall had in its records.

I don't know 'Iobit Smart uninstall', and I don't know what it means, when it has something 'in its records'. So you'd need to ask Iobit about this.

I just click on the icon which seems to be 60.6.1.

It seems to be 60.6.1, or it is 60.6.1? Please be precise.

I don't CHOSE to install two versions obviously

So far you haven't provided any real evidence that there are multiple versions of Thunderbird installed int he first place.

I had to install several times, if I remember right, when I first set it up

Why, and which version?

Hello Tombarkas,

Would you please take a look at this :

https://www.scamadviser.com/check-website/iobit.com/en/update/uninstaller

BTW : I noticed that you have the same issue with Firefox :

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1257703

It's an Uninstall programme by Iobit and records what you have installed so that you can uninstall it and remove all the junk left behind by some other uninstallers. Surprised you don't know it

It's version 60.6.1 - hope that's precise enough

Can't remember why I had to install more than once, if I did - it's over 3 months ago!

Both versions are about 125 Mb

All I need to know is Does Thunderbird do a full self-standing update or does it leave a previous one in there and build on it?

Here is what shows in Program and Features in Control Panel - gives different dates for the installations but says there are two

McCoy said

Hello Tombarkas, Would you please take a look at this : https://www.scamadviser.com/check-website/iobit.com/en/update/uninstaller BTW : I noticed that you have the same issue with Firefox : https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1257703

Hi McCoy, I've just looked, but there's not much there other than th sayign they don't like it. Other organsiatiosn also say this (Malwaebytes, for instance), but it's usually based on Iobit givign you the option to install bundleware that you don't need to accept. For Firefox, uninstalling the first entry removed the lot, so i had to reinstall. That's why I'm not keen on doing it for Thunderbird, as it took me a while to get it to connect to my gmail address, but I'm doing a full backup, then will uninstall the earlier version without removing any entries left behind by uninstall, such as in the Registry

Hi again Tombarkas,

As I had never heard of that company (like christ1), I wanted to check it out - scamadviser was the first thing I tried, thinking "Better safe than sorry".....

But I must admit that most other sites I tried when looking for more information, seem to think that its safe (even a great tool).

What's weird : according to your screenshot the older Thunderbird version was installed 5 days after the current version.

As for Firefox : your screenshot only shows the latest version and Mozilla Maintenance Service - that's just the way it should be (unless you have that other version still installed, which just doesn't show in this screenshot - but that's being dealt with on the Firefox support forum).

My apologies for maybe having been overly concerned as far as Iobit Smart is concerned. I will stay out of this now and leave you in the capable hands of christ1 and/or other experts .....

All I need to know is Does Thunderbird do a full self-standing update or does it leave a previous one in there and build on it?

Unless you specify an alternative installation folder upon installing Thunderbird, it would update an existing installation. Therefore most likely the entry for Thunderbird 60.4.6 in Control Panel - Program and Features in is an orphan, and doesn't do any harm. Presumably it can just be removed, you may ask in a Windows forum how to do that. Most likely uninstalling Thunderbird using that installation entry will remove the existing program installation, so I'd rather not do that.

Having said that, even if you'd do that, it wouldn't affect your Thunderbird profile. The profile is where all your data is stored, and that is separate from the program files. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data#w_where-is-my-profile-stored

Hi McCoy

“As for Firefox : your screenshot only shows the latest version and Mozilla Maintenance Service - that's just the way it should be (unless you have that other version still installed, which just doesn't show in this screenshot - but that's being dealt with on the Firefox support forum).” That’s because I uninstalled the earlier one yesterday and it uninstalled Firefox completely and I had to reinstall

“My apologies for maybe having been overly concerned as far as Iobit Smart is concerned. I will stay out of this now and leave you in the capable hands of christ1 and/or other experts ....” Don’t worry - all help is always appreciated!

christ1 said

All I need to know is Does Thunderbird do a full self-standing update or does it leave a previous one in there and build on it?

Unless you specify an alternative installation folder upon installing Thunderbird, it would update an existing installation. Therefore most likely the entry for Thunderbird 60.4.6 in Control Panel - Program and Features in is an orphan, and doesn't do any harm. Presumably it can just be removed, you may ask in a Windows forum how to do that. Most likely uninstalling Thunderbird using that installation entry will remove the existing program installation, so I'd rather not do that.

Having said that, even if you'd do that, it wouldn't affect your Thunderbird profile. The profile is where all your data is stored, and that is separate from the program files. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data#w_where-is-my-profile-stored

Thanks christ1, Uninstalling the lower number version DID wipe out both. I’m reinstalling my backup now - I wasn’t keen on doing a new install, as it took me a while to sort the certificate things you need for gmail last time (though that would have been faster than restoring my backup!). Maybe next time! Thanks

I’m reinstalling my backup now

You either didn't read or didn't understand what I was saying. Uninstalling Thunderbird does not touch the profile. So all you need to do is to install the latest version of Thunderbird again. You could have saved that effort though if you were listening, but some people seem to like it the hard way.

Or maybe your Iobit nonsense is wiping out the existing Thunderbird profile. I don't know.

christ1 said

I’m reinstalling my backup now

You either didn't read or didn't understand what I was saying. Uninstalling Thunderbird does not touch the profile. So all you need to do is to install the latest version of Thunderbird again. You could have saved that effort though if you were listening, but some people seem to like it the hard way.

Or maybe your Iobit nonsense is wiping out the existing Thunderbird profile. I don't know.

I did read and understadn what you'd written, but that was after I'd done what I said. As I said above, it WOULD have been quicker to reinstall. What Charm School did you go to? - must give it a miss