Help > About shows what version?

This is very weird. When I downloaded the new copy of Thunderbird, I simply went to the TB website and clicked the large "Download" button. Help > About says it's v. 78.1.1 (32 bit), that it's up to date, and that it's on the *release* channel.

However on another computer where I also have TB installed (& which is working well), Help > About says it's v. 68.11.0 (32 bit), that it's up to date, and that it's on the *release* channel.

How can both versions be up to date if one is v. 68 and the other is v. 78? Further, both computers are 64 bit (Windows 10). Is there a 64-bit version of TB?

Please try this and report back on results.

Exit Thunderbird Access profile name folder. If Windows OS the default location is: C:\Users\<Windows user name>\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\<Profile name> 'profile name' folder is usually 'xxxxxxxx.default' where the x's are letters and numbers.

Delete the xulstore.json file

Start Thunderbird.

I tried as you suggested. Same thing, though - blank screen, clicking Tools > Options or Account Settings does nothing.

FWIW, I tried something else as well: As I mentioned earlier, I had my Profile stored in a folder other than the default one. I tried temporarily renaming that folder and restarting TB. I got the message "Your profile folder can not be loaded. It may be missing..."

Is there a way I could get TB to revert to a default profile, and once it's running correctly, substitute the current one? Would this help?

How can both versions be up to date if one is v. 68 and the other is v. 78?

for those people who use version 68, it will currently only update to latest 68 version which is 68.11.0. So if you are running 68.11.0 then it is the latest and up to date for the 68 series. But, beware, some people have run into difficulties because they had Updater Software on their computer which auto updated thunderbird 68.11.0 to version 78*. This update, not currently allowed via Thunderbird, has appeared to cause plenty of people to be 'not very happy'.

The release information for all versions 78* says: Thunderbird version 78.1.1 is only offered as direct download from thunderbird.net and not as an upgrade from Thunderbird version 68 or earlier. A future release will provide updates from earlier versions. Automatic updates are available for users already running version 78.0 or higher.

So if you uninstalled Thunderbird 68 or had never installed it and directly downloaded and installed a 78* version, then 78.1.1 is currently up to date for the 78 series.

Further, both computers are 64 bit (Windows 10). Is there a 64-bit version of TB?

Thunderbird does offer 32bit and 64bit for Windows - this is very clearly visible on the download webpage, in fact you have to look for the 32bit. Both work perfectly well on a 64 bit computer. In the 68 series it did seem the 32bit has less issues. I'm running a 32bit in default location for a 68.11.0 and running a 64bit version 78.1.1 from my D drive. But uninstall 32bit version before downloading and installing 64 bit verison. https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/

re :I had my Profile stored in a folder other than the default one. I tried temporarily renaming that folder That would cause a failure because Thunderbird has no knowledge about what you have renamed.

Is the computer with 68 version running using exactly the same mail accounts etc as you are trying to get working on the other computer with 78 version installed or are they differnt mail accounts etc?

Thanks for the clarifications!

There's nothing said, nor is any choice given, re 32 vs 64 bit versions on the download page I went to: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/. All there is is a big button saying "Free Download", which then proceeds to download v. 78 without specifying bit version.

I'm wondering, though, if using v. 78 might be causing the problem (though the problem originated when I was using v. 68). I still have a setup file for v. 68.5.0 on my computer; I wonder if uninstalling v.78 and reinstalling v.68 might help.

Both computers (desktop and laptop) have exactly the same accounts, etc. I try to keep them identical.

Thanks for the clarifications!

There is no info or choice for bit version on the download site I went to: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US, only a large button saying "Free Download" which when clicked proceeds to download v. 78.

I'm wondering if perhaps v. 78 is causing the problem (though it originated when I was still using v.68). I still have a setup file for v. 68.5.0 on my computer. I could try uninstalling v.78 and reinstalling v.68 to see if that would help.

The accounts, etc. on both computers (desktop and laptop) are exactly the same. I try to keep both identical.

Fixed it!!!

I made two changes, so I can't say for sure which did the job, but FY(or anyone else's)I, here's what I did.

Uninstalled v. 78.

Renamed the folders on my laptop (where TB had the problem) where Profile and email are stored, thinking something might have been corrupted. Copied all files from the identical folders from my desktop (where TB works) to the laptop, replacing the old laptop folders. (I keep the file structure the same on both computers just for cases like this.)

Looked for a way to download TB v. 68.11 but couldn't find one, so installed v. 68.5 using the setup file I had on my computer.

Started TB and got the message that a newer version had changed the Profile so TB couldn't start. Figured out how to display the menu (I don't understand why it's hidden by default) and opted to install the latest v. 68 version.

Restarted TB, and everything is good!

Thanks for sticking with this, Toad Hall, and for your initial question, Wayne Mery. I really appreciate having knowledgeable people to chat with when something goes wrong!

It appears the replies to this question are work-arounds and not fixes. Thanks to those that attempted to help. BUT, if I want to keep the latest version of TB in WIn 10, how do I get the blank screen to go away?? Well, I found that if you take your mouse and go through the areas that are blank, they mysteriously re-appear, but any activity can make it disappear again. So constantly waving the mouse curser around to keep the display. Not good.

Why does this happen in the first place. ??? I really don't want to go back to version 68.x to fix this.

Can someone from Mozilla reply?? with a solution??

I second your finding, nothing has helped.

This question has a chosen solution. If you have an 'identical' problem (please reread the question comment) or similar and the 'chosen solution' does not work for you, then please start your own question. When you post comments you are sending an email to the person who originally asked the question, who may not want to receive those emails or may not know how to assist.

I'm not sure if this is a solution but I went to Tools > Options > General > Disk Space and cleared the cache. The screen is back to normal (but how long for, I have no idea)

Not a solution. The screen is blank again.

Not a solution. The screen is blank again.

Please create a new topic for your issue.