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Thunderbird freezes when I compose email

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  • 7 have this problem
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  • Last reply by Matt

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With the newest update I find that when I compose email, the program freezes over and over. After a minute or two, it unfreezes. Then I write a sentence, (seldom more than that), it freezes again, I wait again.

The sensation I get [using an old typewriter analogy] is that I am typing too fast and the hammers are jamming. But slowing down does not improve things.

If I should try an older version of TBird, where do I find it and which version should I choose?

Windows 8, using current v of TBird, longtime TBird user.

With the newest update I find that when I compose email, the program freezes over and over. After a minute or two, it unfreezes. Then I write a sentence, (seldom more than that), it freezes again, I wait again. The sensation I get [using an old typewriter analogy] is that I am typing too fast and the hammers are jamming. But slowing down does not improve things. If I should try an older version of TBird, where do I find it and which version should I choose? Windows 8, using current v of TBird, longtime TBird user.

All Replies (8)

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What anti virus are you using?

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Based on the information here https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1068609

I think your problem may well be Avast. Try the solutions/ workaround offering in the thread by Avast and please report back your experience.

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Hi - I attempted the work around: accessing Avast settings and creating a Tbird exception. Unfortunately, I'm too inexperienced to be able to do this without detailed instructions, step by step.

If anyone has the patience to walk and talk me through it, I'd be very thankful!

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I have now re-installed Avast Premier, using the Control Panel>programs>Avast>change>uncheck "mail shield,"

Tbird is now working okay. Have I created security risks within Tbird? Any advice?

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I really don't know why we have mail scanners. Seriously.

Your anti virus is supposed to be continuously scanning memory and new files looking for risks. As the only part of a Thunderbird mail which is "executable" is an attachment and it has to be written to disk to do anything. I juts do not understand mail scanners. Other than to make you feel warm and fuzzy and think your getting some value for your money.

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As I wrote above, I stopped ''''Avast'''' from checking my email, and the problem did improve. But I may have spoken too soon, about finding a full solution.

After using Tbird more heavily in the days following the adjustment, I find that it is "freezing" again when I compose email. The only change is that it doesn't freeze as QUICKLY, but still does so several times during the composing of an average-size message.

I hope someone can suggest other causes for this, or other remedies. It is definitely enough of a problem to cause me to change email clients.

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Yeah, Disabling the mail shield is not enough. That just turns of the mail scanner. you need to create an exception for the file nsmail.hrml in your temp folder. I have updated this article with links to the avast support site, where users discuss the issue and their own solutions.. But I am unable to get a response from avast and I see none on that forum either.