Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

URGENT! I NEVER SET UP A PRIMARY PASSWORD and it has blocked me from using Thunderbird since 7/2/22 at 3:12 PM - CAN YOU HELP ME?

  • 3 cavab
  • 0 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by david

more options

I never set up a Primary Password. NEVER! But ... since JULY 2, 2022 I have not been able to use my Thunderbird Mail because it keeps asking me for my PRIMARY PASSWORD that I never, ever set up. I have asked for help many different times since July, but all of the suggestions did not help me at all. No matter what I have tried to get rid of it has not worked. I loved using my Thunderbird Mail and want to use Thunderbird Mail, but I cannot do so because of this PRIMARY PASSWORD> Your new Thunderbird is worthless to me all because of this problem. CAN SOME TECH EXPERT REALLY HELP ME?

I never set up a Primary Password. NEVER! But ... since JULY 2, 2022 I have not been able to use my Thunderbird Mail because it keeps asking me for my PRIMARY PASSWORD that I never, ever set up. I have asked for help many different times since July, but all of the suggestions did not help me at all. No matter what I have tried to get rid of it has not worked. I loved using my Thunderbird Mail and want to use Thunderbird Mail, but I cannot do so because of this PRIMARY PASSWORD> Your new Thunderbird is worthless to me all because of this problem. CAN SOME TECH EXPERT REALLY HELP ME?

Modified by 4katsnme

All Replies (3)

more options

The only process for that is the following steps: Exit Thunderbird if running.

   click windows key and 'r' key
   Enter: thunderbird.exe -P --allow-downgrade
   click on 'OK' 

Since this has been going on for two months, and nothing seems to work, my suggestion is to start over, with these possible steps: - in windows file explorer, copy the addressbook (abook.sqlite) and any messsage folders, such as Mail\POPaccount folders and Mail\Local folders - then copy the full profile somewhere for safekeeping - uninstall TB and reinstall. - setup accounts. for POP accounts, omit the password to ensure it doesn't start retrieving messages - exit TB and in windows file explorer, copy the backed up message folders to overlay the same locations as in original.

more options

Thank you for that, BUT ... I use 13" MacBook Pro laptop (2020) with Ventura 13.5.2 and a Apple M1 Chip. I cannot use anything with a thunderbird.exe -P --allow-downgrade. Do you know what I can do for an Apple computer? I have a lot of folders with importyant mail in them I do not want to lose. Can you help me now?

more options

I believe your safest approach is to follow my suggested steps in starting over. The steps appear complex, but it doesn't take long to do. I then suggest doing a backup and to repeat that periodically. I sincerely regret that this happened to you.