Thunderbird Community Forum

A few weeks ago my installation of Thunderbird on my Windows 10 laptop was version 151. I want to stop it from being updated, and I asked AI for help. It suggested the following:

1. Create a directory named "distribution" and locate it as follows: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\distribution. 2. Within that directory, I was asked to create a file named "policies.json" and I did so. 3. Within that file, I was asked to place the following: {

 "policies": { 
     "DisableAppUpdate": true 
  } 

} and that's what I did.

When I had a look under Settings > Update, there was a note to say that updates have been prevented by the administrator. (That would have been the effect of what I just did.) That was a few weeks ago.

So, when I looked at my version number today, I saw that my version is now 152. It had updated, and the directory and file I created are now no longer present.

It seems that the update process deletes anything that shouldn't be there and doesn't trouble itself with the file I created.

How do I stop Thunderbird from updating my installation?

Hi! I'm hoping you can help me! I use Thunderbird, and have for many years, and I love it. My computer is on its last legs, and I'm trying to save up for a new one, but, yesterday I did something possibly stupid... (yeah, I know, you NEVER get people asking for help who've done stupid things, so this will be unusual... lol). Anyway... I turned my computer on and got a popup saying that my Thunderbird needs an update and it's been a while since I updated, so I hit OK on the update... Well, my arsehole of a computer chose that exact minute to shit itself and die. When I tried restarting it, my Thunderbird no longer works. Now I have a popup with a big red X that says "The installation seems to be corrupt. Please check your hardware and disk setup and/or re-install." Can you help me? I desperately need to check my email and have one I need to send. I don't know what to do. I've also got YEARS worth of emails sitting in the system, so I can't risk losing them, either. Please help. L.

After running an update, when launching Thunderbird it says "Your computer must be restarted to complete a previous upgrade of Thunderbird. Do you want to reboot now?". Rebooting does nothing, I'm prompted with the same message. Tried re-installing the latest version - it gives me the same error message before re-installying, and also un-installing the version I have on my PC - it also prompts me to restart to finish the earlier upgrade.

I'm up to date on Windows 10 with version 151.0.1 of Thunderbird. My preference is to discontinue using Windows and move to Linux Mint. The Software Manager in Mint installs and manages Thunderbird updates. I like the idea of Mint managing my software. However, the latest version is 140.11.1esr. Consequently, moving my data from Windows to Mint is not possible. A profile problem is flagged.

I've switched off automatic updates. I'm wondering how long it will take Linux Mint to catch up to v150. One solution is to install v150 independent of the Mint software manager, but I'd rather not do that. I'm wondering if there are any workarounds.

French please !

-)

Bonjour,

Lorsque je veux modifier la manière dont Thunderbird est mis à jour, il s'affiche ceci :

"Thunderbird est mis à jour par une autre instance" et il est impossible de le modifier car si on on choisit de le faire, le logiciel thunderbird corrige immédiatement et retourne à la configuration précédente (solutions/choix à cocher, mises à jour automatiques ou manuelles) !

Comment opérer S.V.P. ? Merci à vous. Salutations cordiales. Alain.

Hello all After a Thunderbird update, a folder named "thunderbird" was created in my Personal folder. This folder is empty. After deleting the folder, it is recreated when Thunderbird is restarted. How do I get rid of this folder? Alternatively, what does this folder contain, and how can I move it to a different location?

thanks Thomas

I opened Thunderbird 140.9.1esr from flatpak on Debian 12 and today I noticed a message that says: "Flatpak ESR application ID change We're switching the Flatpak ESR application ID from org.mozilla.Thunderbird to org.mozilla.thunderbord_esr."

1. How does Thunderbird know it's flatpak name is changing? How do i turn off all auto updates including checking things like flatpak name changing?

It would have been highly beneficial to provide a function or procedure to migrate all files (if they existed) from org.mozilla.Thunderbird to org.mozilla.thunderbird. In the absence of such a mechanism, the update effectively behaves like a fresh installation, creating the impression that all user settings and data have been lost.

I resolved the issue by manually copying all files from /home/USER_NAME/.var/app/org.mozilla.Thunderbird/ to /home/USER_NAME/.var/app/org.mozilla.thunderbird/ and restarting Thunderbird, after which everything functioned as expected. This could also have been addressed through a symbolic link to the new path.

I believe more care should be taken when implementing breaking changes of this nature, as many end-users would not know how to resolve this issue on their own. Clear guidance or automated migration would help prevent unnecessary disruption and confusion.

My reddit post is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Thunderbird/s/lM11YcRIIT

Hello,

I'm confused and slightly concerned.

Through no deliberate action by me, Thunderbird DOWNGRADED itself from the May 2026 standard release version to an AUGUST 2025 ESR(Extended Support Release) version.

UPDATE: the next application restart brought the ESR version up to date, but why was I forced onto the ESR version?!

What could have pissibly triggered this? I don't want or need ESR, and without knowing the cause, I have e no guarantee it won't happen again. Worst if all, everywhere I look, there is zero explanation for this. It appears to be fairly unprecedented.

My original installer for 102.15.1 was downloaded from the official Thunderbird site in 2025.

The sequence of events:

• I've had Thunderbird version 102.15.1 installed for awhile, but wasn't using it.
• Ysterday I opened it and connected an account.
• Today I noticed it hadn't auto-updated, so I went into the settings and clicked on the 'check for updates'.
• this brought it up to v115.10.1.
• Its success was demonstrated by me being sent to this URL after it opened: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thu.../?locale=en-US&version=115.10.1&channel=release&oldversion=102.15.1(https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/115.0/whatsnew/?locale=en-US&version=115.10.1&channel=release&oldversion=102.15.1)
• An hour later, I closed Thunderbird completely hoping it would fix a sync that appeared 'stuck'.
• When I re-opened Thunderbird, I saw the small "updating" window. It was pretty surprising since I had *just* updated.
• After Thunderbird opens, after this additional "update", the URL that I'm sent to is this: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thu.../?locale=en-US&version=128.14.0&channel=esr&oldversion=115.18.0(https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/128.0/whatsnew/?locale=en-US&version=128.14.0&channel=esr&oldversion=115.18.0)
• Thunderbird changed to a year old ESR version!

May 25 2026. A few days ago, Thunderbird upgraded me to Release 151.0. I can no longer send or receive emails.

My wife has been upgraded to ESR 140.11.Oesr, and she has no problems.

I do not want to go through the tests of removing virus guard etc to try to make 151.0 work, so I would like to move to ESR 140.11, but cannot find online how to do that?

Please help.

I am currently using Thunderbird version 140.10.2 esr. (32bit) I understand that to latest version is 150. I also understand that, from version 145, Microsoft Exchange accounts are supported natively by Thunderbird.

I am using a generic desktop PC running Windows 10 Pro (22H2)

I am having difficulties with an Exchange account using the OWL add on.

I would like to upgrade my Thunderbird to the latest version and use the native support for Exchange accounts. I would also, if possible, like to upgrade to a 64bit version.

When I follow the instructions (Help/Update Thunderbird) the pop up reports that 'Thunderbird is up to date'.

I can't see a way forward at present, can someone assist please.

Twice in one week a complete wipeout of all my accounts and emails, hours spent restoring my information after the first update, now a second one, do you do not care about the users of this product? and you wonder why you don't get donations when you wipe out everything and give NO instructions on how to avoid all this. Where is the version hidden?

I'm currently running Thunderbird 140.9.1esr and it shows an update available to version 140.10.0esr. However, when I click on the update button, it shows "downloading" but it stays at 0 bytes and will not download the update. All previous updates to my current version automatically downloaded and installed after I clicked on the update button. How do I fix this or is there a problem with 140.10.0esr? Thank you!

Now I have Tbird running on my Android with all my email accounts in it. However; my PC version (Win 11) is like a first install. Blank slate. It asks about some "Hub" thing and I don't understand exactly what it is asking for. Outlook name and password? Mozilla account name and password? Some other username and password? Can't transfer anything from mobile to PC (not good). Any way to fix this? Don't tell me I might have to go back to Outlook...

I see that MS Exchange server support is available in Thunderbird version 145 and above. I have a Linux Mint PC which is version 140 which when I try to upgrade I'm told I'm on the latest version. Is there a version 145 and above for Mint and if so how do I upgrade it??

Thank you

got an update for thunderbird and ended up with a different program. the old one would boot into inbox could start with a new email and send right away. After the update it boots into address book can't find anything and want the old program back. Its not supposed to look like a browser with tabs the old one I could run from inbox knew where everything was, the new one looks like it was written by Microsoft. Two pounds of crap in a one pound bag. tell me from what you see how to find the app menu and version

Every time I let Thunderbird update, the format changes to a previous format and my emails and folders are gone.

Having to call my contacts to have them send these receipts again is frustrating. Setting up new folders AGAIN is frustrating.

I have thought of contributing to you, but this behavior is beyond infuriating and costs me hours and hours of time to fix.

How can I get consistency? How can I retrieve what is lost? The only thing I know to do is to STOP letting you update my program.

Not a happy camper.