I have exactly the same problem. Windows 10 Pro, version 1511, build 10586.633. Thunderbird Portable 60.3.1 (32-бит). I've installed Thunderbird 60.3.1 (32-бит, non-portable) to see what happens and it does not work as well. A guy from Russian Mozilla support forum reported the same problem with Thunderbird 60.3.1 under Windows 10 Pro in two different computers, whereas Thunderbird 60.3.1 works fine under Windows 7.

To test the possibility that another program, e.g. antivirus, that is not compatible with the new TB version, is causing the problem, run in Windows safe mode and see how TB performs.

For W10, Shift+Restart, Troubleshoot, Advanced Options, Startup Settings, Restart, 5.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/12376/windows-10-start-your-pc-in-safe-mode

If TB performance is normal in W10 safe mode, you should exclude TB from AV scanning. If problems remain, reply here for further diagnostics.

Hi!

Thanks for your help with this problem.

I followed the instructions to test version 60 in safe mode. It behaves exactly the same way in safe mode as it does in normal mode.

The problem is very repeatable.

Please let me know if you need additional information about my system -- drivers, processes running, etc.

Thanks again!

So, TB (mis)behaves the same in Windows safe or normal mode. Next, try running TB in safe mode; Help/Restart with Add-ons disabled, or hold Shift when you launch TB.

Are there any crash reports in Help/Troubleshooting Information, All Crash Reports? Post the links to the last few if there are any.

Thunderbird 60 works the same in safe mode as described above.

When V60 is installed and running, clicking on the Thunderbird tile on the task bar generally just shows a small square. (2nd picture below.) Sometimes, I can get a partial window (1st picture.) Running V60, I tried a couple of times to get the troubleshooting data, but the window is unstable, and ultimately collapses.

I checked the troubleshooting information when V59 is installed. The last crash report is dated 2012 -- I doubt that it will help, but if you think so, please let me know how to post it for your review.

Thanks again!

Thanks again for your help! Please let me know if you need additional information.

Since you've ruled out the most likely causes, it may be worth considering there's some internal process that is bogged down, such as Windows search or global database indexing. These items are explained in 4. and 9. here. You have to be able to access Options to disable the first, but the global sqlite file can be renamed or deleted with TB closed. I do recall a case where a corrupted sqlite caused problems similar to yours.

The following might be useful. Before upgrading to V60, the calendar in Thunderbird worked flawlessly. After upgrading, and restoring V59, the calendar is totally missing.

Thanks again for your help!

Lightning can get lost when you're upgrading and downgrading, but can usually be found by resetting a preference.

The link you sent about the calendars fixed my calendar problem. I will try the other suggestions on V60 and let you know what I find...

Thanks again for your help. I do appreciate it!!

is this on the portable version? I see one person chimed in with issues on the portable version. I would guess in that case it is most likely the wrapper the portable apps folk place around Thunderbird to fool it into using the usb drive for it's profile.

Matt, thanks for the response.

No, I'm not using the portable version. Version 52.9.1, and previous versions, have been working flawlessly. Upgrading to V60 makes Thunderbird unusable. Reinstalling 52.9.1 makes it all well again...

Try changing the setting for hardware acceleration in options> advanced > general before you update.

It might fix something. It has worked for others on previous versions that had odd graphics issues on update.

Matt said

Try changing the setting for hardware acceleration in options> advanced > general before you update. It might fix something. It has worked for others on previous versions that had odd graphics issues on update.

wmicket, What are your results?

Sorry for the delay in responding.

Hardware acceleration is turned off. As far as I can remember, it has always been turned off in V52. Would upgrading to V60 automatically turn hardware acceleration on?

Thanks again for your help!

There is no correct setting for hardware acceleration. It can change with a change to the driver version from a Windows update. So if it is off, turn it on and see what result you get.

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

I tried turning hardware acceleration on for V52. Everything was fine. I then loaded V60. Everything was again fine! (I will admit I was very surprised by this result.) V60 seems very stable with hardware acceleration turned on, but not at all stable when it is turned off. (Any idea why this is so? Just curious...)

Thanks very much for your help!

Off is the default for Thunderbird, but we can't possibly test all video and OS combinations.

Please post the video section only of Help > Troubleshooting.