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where do I find my master password for software security device

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  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by christ1

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I downloaded Thunderbird and cant use it because it asks for "Master password for software security device. Where do I find this?

I downloaded Thunderbird and cant use it because it asks for "Master password for software security device. Where do I find this?

All Replies (6)

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A master password needs to be set deliberately. If you get the master password prompt you presumably set one in the past.

For more information see http://kb.mozillazine.org/Master_password

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I too have the problem of the Software Security Device.

I tried to remove the password by deleting the file "key3.db" but I can't find the file. Where should I look? Since I never set a Master Password (I have other password protection.),

I'm sort of at a loss for how this happened. One day the machine worked. Next day it did not.

Eric Johnson

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In the above linked article it states.. To reset a forgotten master password do the following. Thunderbird: Choose Tools ->Developer Tools-> Error Console, paste the expression: openDialog("chrome://pippki/content/resetpassword.xul") and press the Evaluate button. That will open a dialog asking you if you want to reset your password.

No place does it mention the key3.db file.

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I have never used "Master Password". Someplace I read that Thunderbird, in a very recent release, sets the master password itself. As a result, I am now to lose all of my passwords including nearly 100 passwords that are carefully protected and managed? That sucks!

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I suddenly think I may have the solution. Would this "Master Password" have any effect on an Amazon.com account used to purchase things or a Washington Post account used to pay for a subscription? It only would impact processing of my email account(s)?

Perhaps it will be very easy to resolve using the dialog statement you provided.

Thanks.

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ejstruan,

if your problem isn't resolved yet, please start a new topic for your problem. https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new