Hello ewalden.

You can find .exe file in c/program. If not remove Mozilla Thunderbird and install it again. Be sure you install Mozilla Thunderbirdfrom the official Side < https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/

The original .exe path is no longer good ("C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe") and there is no 'thunderbird.exe' file any longer. No other .exe file starts the program, it is like it was completely removed during the update.

If I reinstall then I will lose all saved emails, correct? This is why I have not tried a reinstall yet.

Thank you.

All emails are stored in the Profile which is in a different location. So uninstalling and reinstalling should not effect emails.

Windows OS stores here by default:

• C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name>\

If you want to perform a backup then you need to copy the 'Thunderbird' folder to an external drive of suitable size.

To uninstall you can directly delete the 'Mozilla Thunderbird' folder from here:

• C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird

OR type 'Program' in the search and select 'Add or remove programs'. Select 'Mozilla Thunderbird' and click on 'uninstall'.

You can download the latest version 68 from here:

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

Suggest you read the release notes first as this may effect you if you use various addon extensions. It allows you to check those addons to see if they are compatible first and you can then make a decision.

• https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/68.0/releasenotes/

OR Download version 60.9.0 from here: http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/60.9.0/ If you have win64 bit, you can use win32 or win64. then select language preference eg: en-GB = English British Then download the 'Thunderbird Setup 60.9.0.exe' file and run to install.

Thanks very much to you both for your replies. I will reinstall and hope for the best.

Toad-Hall,

I reinstalled the newest version you linked and tried to import the old profile without any luck so far. When I attempt to import it says "No application to import data from found". I do not get to point the search at anything.

I have not removed the old version yet so as far as I know I am only missing the .exe file to start it. I am running Windows 8.1 Pro.

Is the newer version 68 compatible with the old 60.7?

I cannot find the profile at the path you listed. I go to C:\Users\(my username)\ but I do not see AppData or beyond. I used the search function to look and I found something similar but cannot locate it again using the same search function in C: , Users, or username folders. Not sure where I first found it.

It looks like the old version was installed in the C: Program Files (x86) folder and the new in the C: Program Files folder by default. Is that a problem?

Thanks in advance.

re :It looks like the old version was installed in the C: Program Files (x86) folder and the new in the C: Program Files folder by default.

That's because you have installed the win32 60.7 version which would be here: C: Program Files (x86) and then downloaded the win64 68 version, so it installed here: C: Program Files. So, both are installations of the Thunderbird program in the correct location.

re :I cannot find the profile at the path you listed. I go to C:\Users\(my username)\ but I do not see AppData or beyond. That's because 'Appdata' are hidden folders and your computer is currently not showing them. Make hidden files and folders visible. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders

Then perform a backup - just put a copy on external drive. It is a good idea to perform a backup on a regular basis, but it depends upon how many emails you get as to how frequently you need to do it. A backup is handy if everything to do with profile goes awry.

re :I reinstalled the newest version you linked and tried to import the old profile

What do you mean by 'tried to import the old profile' ? The old profile should already be in correct location and when Thunderbird starts it should locate it without any intervention on your part. As you were not aware of where all your emails and address books were stored, it seems logical to assume you have never backed up that particular Thunderbird folder.

After creating a backup. Start Thunderbird and tell the forum exactly what you see. Does Thunderbird show all the same info as before - all the mail accounts, emails etc? OR Does Thunderbird seem to have lost old profile and is now asking you to create new mail accounts?

Your answer to this determines what you need to check.

Are the versions compatible? i.e. will my profile from the 32bit version work with the new 64bit version? Or would I need to run the 32bit version to use those old profiles?

The 64 bit version did not display any of the old profile, that is why I was asking about compatibility.

On importing - there is an import option that I was using within Thunderbird but it was not finding anything to import at all. This import option was in the menu (the three horizontal lines at the top right of the search bar) and then under the tools option. Again, it did not automatically display the old profile, messages, or address book, but since they are in different locations I assume that is the reason.

On startup the new 64bit version is a clean install with no profile info. I had to create new accounts and cannot access any of the old profile. I did find the profiles in the Thunderbird folder that were hidden and they are named d38opfx2.default and j394r7co.default-release.

I also made a copy of the entire Thunderbird folder and will do so regularly now, thank you.

Thanks in advance.

re :On importing - there is an import option that I was using within Thunderbird but it was not finding anything to import at all. This import option was in the menu (the three horizontal lines at the top right of the search bar) and then under the tools option.

That does not apply to Thunderbird profile folders. When you selected Tools > import, the 'Import' window says very clearly: This wizard will import mail messages, address book entries, preferences and or filters from other mail programs and common address book formats into Thunderbird.

re :Are the versions compatible? i.e. will my profile from the 32bit version work with the new 64bit version? Or would I need to run the 32bit version to use those old profiles? The 64 bit version did not display any of the old profile, that is why I was asking about compatibility.

I'm glad you mentioned this as I think I've come across this before and I'll need to pass this info on. Just in case something is different.

re:On startup the new 64bit version is a clean install with no profile info. I had to create new accounts and cannot access any of the old profile. I did find the profiles in the Thunderbird folder that were hidden and they are named d38opfx2.default and j394r7co.default-release.

There has been a change recently so that different profiles would be required for those who were using various versions of Thunderbird, so it would impact those who went back to an earlier version, but in your case that has not occurred.

I would bet that d38opfx2.default is the original and j394r7co.default-release is the current one Thunderbird is using.

Option (1) You could copy various files from the original into the current, so both have all files. This would be beneficial if you had pop mail accounts, emails stored in Local Folders or need to get default address books into another profile. OR Option (2) you can edit the 'profiles.ini' and installs.ini' files so Thunderbird only points to and uses the original profile.

Option (1) Exit Thunderbird.

You can copy paste the two default address books called 'abook.mab' and 'history.mab' (Personal Address Book and Collected Addresses) from 'd38opfx2.default' profile name folder into 'j394r7co.default-release' profile name folder.

You can copy paste the 'Local Folders' folder.... In 'd38opfx2.default' profile name folder: Click on 'Mail' folder. If you stored emails in 'Local Folders' mail account: Copy the 'Local Folders' folder Access 'j394r7co.default-release/'Mail' folder and delete the default 'Local Folders' folder, then paste in the copied 'Local Folders' folder from other profile.

You can copy paste stored POP mail account files. In 'd38opfx2.default' profile name folder: Click on 'Mail' folder. If you have Pop mail accounts, click on 'pop mail account' folder to see contents. You can copy all mbox files and *.sbd folders. mbox files do not have an extension and they contain emails. .msf files are index files. If you want to copy the 'Inbox' , I suggest you rename it first just in case you have already downloaded new emails. Access 'j394r7co.default-release/Mail/'pop mail account' folder for same pop account - paste in the copied mbox files and .sbd folders

Repeat for any additional pop mail account.

Option (2) To get version 68 working with original profile, I can tell you what to do if you would provide me with the exact contents of the following two files.

Exit Thunderbird. In Appdata/Roaming/'Thunderbird' folder you will see two files: 'profiles.ini' and installs.ini' You can open these files using a text editor program like Notepad.

Please open up each file and copy all the contents and paste them into this forum question without altering anything. I will then rewrite the content, advising you on what should be in each file.

You can choose what you prefer to do.

re: Or would I need to run the 32bit version to use those old profiles?

Before you do anything to make the win64 work..... as mentioned in previous comment.

Download and install the win32 version into default installation which is C: Program Files (x86) folder. Start Thunderbird - be sure you are starting the win32 version, even if you need to start Thunderbird from: C: Program Files (x86)/Mozilla Thunderbird/thunderbird.exe Report back on whether it picks up the original profile.

I downloaded the 60.9.0 version and installed it in the x86 folder, then started it from the .exe file. It said it could not be installed due to other versions running ( I had already set up the 68 version a few days ago ) but then it started normally and my old profiles and messages were present.

Before sending emails from one version to the other, I will wait to hear what you suggest.

Reference the version compatibility - I read that older versions will not automatically update to the newest at this time and that is a future fix or feature, so I would assume that is why it never found the old profile. Plus it was also in another folder altogether. Just a guess.

Is there a distinct improvement in the 64b version over the 32b? That would be a deciding factor in which I ultimately keep.

Thanks!

win32 v. win64 No there isn't really any advantage at the moment.

Reference the version compatibility - I read that older versions will not automatically update to the newest at this time and that is a future fix or feature, so I would assume that is why it never found the old profile.

This means people already running version 60.9 will not get auto updated to version 68 whilst they iron out gremlins, but will probably get an auto update when version 68.1 is released. To get version 68, you would have to manually download and install.

It had nothing to do with not locating profile as that location is unchanged.

Plus it was also in another folder altogether. Just a guess. On Windows OS 64bit computers, Windows automatically can run both win32 and win64 programs. But Windows OS auto installs them in the two different locations.

There are some innovative changes being created to do with accomodating people who run different versions of Thunderbird symultaneously, perhaps one version is the current release and another is a beta version. They are testing on same profile, so the idea is to have different profiles to be able to swap between them. Personally, I would create a new profile and put a copy of original profile in it anyway, so I'm not entirely certain what they are really trying to achieve. No doubt us minions will eventually be enlightened :)

It is likely there are some additional profile name file changes that are required for new versions, but would conflict if someone were to go back to an older version, hence forcing people to use a different profile depending upon what version they are using. The changes would possibly effect people who choose to download an older version, maybe for using particular addons. But at the moment, for people like yourself who previous used win32 versions, when they choose to download a win64 version, it is also not recognising old profile. I'm just trying to get to grips with all the flack I'm discovering and getting the best advise out to people.

You do not have to unstall the win64 Thunderbird as it is possible to get things working and you already have a different profile that can be brought up to date with reasonable ease or be forced to use the original with some tweaking :)

Outstanding, thanks very much for all your help. I appreciate it!