Windows 10 reached EOS (end of support) on October 14, 2025. If you are on Windows 10, see this article.

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

Can't open attachments on old emails

Win 10 - Thunderbird 115.5.1 (64 bit) When my inbox starts to get a bit heavy, I create a new folder and move a batch of mails into it, usually one or two years worth. Recently I went to look at an old mail with several photos attached and although they were listed at the bottom of the message, I could not open them. I checked another mail and found the same thing. I have not looked further, but it seems likely that the problem affects the entire folder and possibly all my old folders. I am guessing that they have somehow become separated from the mails. Can you suggest a way of finding the lost attachments please?

Win 10 - Thunderbird 115.5.1 (64 bit) When my inbox starts to get a bit heavy, I create a new folder and move a batch of mails into it, usually one or two years worth. Recently I went to look at an old mail with several photos attached and although they were listed at the bottom of the message, I could not open them. I checked another mail and found the same thing. I have not looked further, but it seems likely that the problem affects the entire folder and possibly all my old folders. I am guessing that they have somehow become separated from the mails. Can you suggest a way of finding the lost attachments please?

Chosen solution

Worked it out for myself. Did a search on the attachment name and found it in a temp file. Looks like the link gets broken when the mail is moved to a new folder. So it would make sense to save important attachments to a permanent folder - and back up! M.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (1)

Chosen Solution

Worked it out for myself. Did a search on the attachment name and found it in a temp file. Looks like the link gets broken when the mail is moved to a new folder. So it would make sense to save important attachments to a permanent folder - and back up! M.