Please look in the backed up 'profile name' folder for a file called 'compatibility.ini'. Open it using a text editor program like Notepad.

It will contain info that looks like this: [Compatibility] LastVersion=102.1.2_20220808204007/20220808204007 LastOSABI=WINNT_x86_64-msvc LastPlatformDir=C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird LastAppDir=C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird

Mine is compatible for version 102.1.2, but what does yours say? Post the info.

I can then offer more advise on how to proceed.

You indicate that you saved your profile, but later you state there are two. DId you save two profiles? If you had a working profile before the reset, all you should need to do is - install thunderbird 102, which I think you did. - bypass the email wizard, click Home tab, and then click the IMPORT link on that pane. One option is to import a profile from another Thunderbird installation. Click that and it will install and activate the profile.

OR If you already have Thunderbird already accessing the account, just click Tools>import to install the profile. Attempting to reconstruct a profile by adding files is problematic, so the profile imported should work. However, if you actually saved two profiles, you may have imported the wrong one. Just repeat process for the other one.

Hi, thank you so much for trying to help me. Ive tried your suggestions without success. these sre the compatibility info for the two backed up profiles (below) . I get an error message when I tried to import one of the profiles. I see the version is not the same as what you posted. Should i try an old version of thunderbird? Im not ready to give up. These old files are precious to me! Thankyou again for your kind assistance.

Compatibility] LastVersion=78.14.0_20210901192859/20210901192859 LastOSABI=WINNT_x86_64-msvc LastPlatformDir=C:\Users\jacan\AppData\Local\Mozilla Thunderbird LastAppDir=C:\Users\jacan\AppData\Local\Mozilla Thunderbird

[Compatibility] LastVersion=91.12.0_20220722200948/20220722200948 LastOSABI=WINNT_x86-msvc LastPlatformDir=C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird LastAppDir=C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird

Hi, also get a message when i import one of the profiles:. "! Import failed unexpectedly, more information may be available inth Error Console "

Can anyone tell me where to access the error information, please? Thanks

Can anyone tell me where to access the error information, please?

Press Ctrl-Shift-J

There are four things you need to do.

1. Uninstall whatever version of Thunderbird you have currently installed. 2. Get a copy of the backed up 'profile name' folder for version 91.12.0 into the 'Profiles' folder - more info below. 3. Edit the 'profiles.ini' file so forcing Thunderbird to create a new one. 4. Download and install version 91.12.0 into the corect loaction as mentioned below.

Info on supplied information:

Compatibility] LastVersion=78.14.0_20210901192859/20210901192859 LastOSABI=WINNT_x86_64-msvc LastPlatformDir=C:\Users\jacan\AppData\Local\Mozilla Thunderbird LastAppDir=C:\Users\jacan\AppData\Local\Mozilla Thunderbird

The top one is odd because it is talking about the Appdata/ 'Local' folder and Thunderbird does not use the 'Local' folder for running programs nor storing profile data -it is the location the operating systen uses for a cache. Maybe you installed Thunderbird program in that location as it does not automatically install in that location.

[Compatibility] LastVersion=91.12.0_20220722200948/20220722200948 LastOSABI=WINNT_x86-msvc LastPlatformDir=C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird LastAppDir=C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird

This one says you used version 91.12.0 for that profile. This is the 'profile name' folder to use. It is also very specific where the program was installed, so you would need to install in same location.

If you have not done this already: Exit Thunderbird if it running. Uninstall Thunderbird.

I'm assuming you have your current profile stored in this location: C://Users/User name/Appdata/Roaming/Thunderbird/Profiles/ 'profile name' folder

Put a copy of the backed up 91.12.0 version 'profile name' folder into the 'Profiles' folder

Then go up a level to the 'Thunderbird' folder and rename the 'profiles.ini' file to say 'profiles.ini.old' This will keep a copy of that original 'profiles.ini' file just in case it's needed, but when you start Thunderbird a new will get created.

Now to download and install the version suitable for that profile name folder. This is a link to the 91.12.0 version http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/91.12.0/win64/

You would need to select your prefered language eg: en-GB is English British Then click on the 'Thunderbird Setup 91.12.0.exe' to download the file - I have all my downloads going to the 'Downloads' folder. Once downloaded, click on 'Thunderbird Setup 91.12.0.exe' to run the install

You need to install in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Thunderbird folder

Once installed. Start Thunderbird.

It might pick up the 'profile name' folder you copied over or create a new default profile. If you get a new default profile: Menu icon > Help > More Troubleshooting Information Under 'Application Basics' near bottom - Profiles - click on 'about:profiles' If you see the profile you copied over: below it click on 'set as default', then click on 'Launch Profile' It will open in a new window, then close the original window.

If you do not see the 'profile name folder you copied over: click on 'Create a new Profile' click on 'Next' Enter a new profile name' it usually has 'Default User' so you can use that if you like. Click on 'Choose folder' and locate and select the 'profile name' folder you copied over. click on 'Select Folder' button

It gets added to list - now you should be able to select profile, set as default and launch.

Thanks for your reply, Im looking to load 91.12.0. Would you know how to do this? I have gone to the link to a page that has old versions but no idea how to download it. When i click download button

it automatically loads the latest version.

Thanks for your reply, Im looking to load 91.12.0. Would you know how to do this? I have gone to the link to a page that has old versions but no idea how to download it. When i click download button it automatically loads the latest version.

Switch off the auto updates first and then uninstal whatever version is currently in use. Menu icon > Settings/Preferences > General Scroll down to 'Updates' and choose 'Check for updates, but let me choose whether to install them' This will stop auto installs, but it will tell you about new ones available. If you need a complete block we'll deal with that later.

There is no 'download' button as such. You click on the text which says: 'Thunderbird Setup 91.12.0.exe' This auto downloads the file to your computer. Most people have any file they download going to their 'Downloads' folder, but some people do have downloads sent to the 'Desktop'.

It sounds like you have downloaded the 'Thunderbird Setup 91.12.0.exe' file, to computer but you have not located it and clicked on it to run the install. It does not install automatically. So when you start Thunderbird it just keeps using whatever you still have on your computer.

This is a link to the 91.12.0 version http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/91.12.0/win64/

What language do you want? You have to choose it by clicking on the relevant option.

If you wanted the English American USA version then it is here: http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/thunderbird/releases/91.12.0/win64/en-US/

Then click on the top line of text which says 'Thunderbird Setup 91.12.0.exe' to download the file

It gets downloaded to your computer. I do not know where you have setup all your downloaded files to be received. But most people have them auto put in their 'Downloads' folder or some people have them auto put on 'Desktop'

The point is this - you need to locate where that 'Thunderbird Setup 91.12.0.exe' file is located and click on it to start the install.

Hello Toad Hall, OMG I have finally done it, thanks to your help. I downloaded the old version and managed to link my old profile, and voila! its all come back!! I thank you sooooo much for all your help, Im not very good at this sort of thing and and i was quite close to giving up, so I thank you for persevering with my questions. Im so relieved to have all my old folders back. I am very grateful to you, we are very lucky to have such expert people like yourself in the community forums who can lend a hand to tech illiterates like me! regards Jackie

Good to hear all is now ok.