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I erased the 2 default profiles hoping to paste and load a backup profile, but now TB won't start.

  • 12 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 14 views
  • Last reply by Matt

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Hi,

I had to reset my Windows 10 pc tonight.

I installed Thunderbird and I thought I could just delete the two default user profiles and replace it with my backup filename.default to get my old emails back. Now Thunderbird won't start. I get this error message: Your Thunderbird profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible.

I created a profile via the profile manager and followed the directions (finally) about how to load a backup profile, but it just won't start.

I'm assuming this is because I deleted the original two default profiles.

I think I had my "View hidden files" option on for the folder, so I'm wondering if I deleted something that *really* shouldn't have been deleted.

I also tried uninstalling and reinstalling the program several times to try to get those original default profile files back, but they haven't come back and the program still won't start.

Hi, I had to reset my Windows 10 pc tonight. I installed Thunderbird and I thought I could just delete the two default user profiles and replace it with my backup filename.default to get my old emails back. Now Thunderbird won't start. I get this error message: Your Thunderbird profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible. I created a profile via the profile manager and followed the directions (finally) about how to load a backup profile, but it just won't start. I'm assuming this is because I deleted the original two default profiles. I think I had my "View hidden files" option on for the folder, so I'm wondering if I deleted something that *really* shouldn't have been deleted. I also tried uninstalling and reinstalling the program several times to try to get those original default profile files back, but they haven't come back and the program still won't start.

Chosen solution

Delete everything in the appdata\roaming\Thunderbird folder, including the folder.

Start Thunderbird. Do not add any accounts, just close the program.

Copy the contents of your backup profile, including sub folders and paste this into the newly created profile that appeared after you restarted Thunderbird replacing the default files that were created with the profile.

Start Thunderbird again.

Things have changed and moving profiles is now something of an issue. Moving contents is not.

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All Replies (12)

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Chosen Solution

Delete everything in the appdata\roaming\Thunderbird folder, including the folder.

Start Thunderbird. Do not add any accounts, just close the program.

Copy the contents of your backup profile, including sub folders and paste this into the newly created profile that appeared after you restarted Thunderbird replacing the default files that were created with the profile.

Start Thunderbird again.

Things have changed and moving profiles is now something of an issue. Moving contents is not.

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Matt said

Delete everything in the appdata\roaming\Thunderbird folder, including the folder. Start Thunderbird. Do not add any accounts, just close the program. Copy the contents of your backup profile, including sub folders and paste this into the newly created profile that appeared after you restarted Thunderbird replacing the default files that were created with the profile. Start Thunderbird again. Things have changed and moving profiles is now something of an issue. Moving contents is not.

Thank you for replying to my post :-)

I followed your instructions. When I opened Thunderbird, it asked me to set up an existing mail account. My profile did not seem to "show up" in the program.

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Matt said

Delete everything in the appdata\roaming\Thunderbird folder, including the folder. Start Thunderbird. Do not add any accounts, just close the program. Copy the contents of your backup profile, including sub folders and paste this into the newly created profile that appeared after you restarted Thunderbird replacing the default files that were created with the profile. Start Thunderbird again. Things have changed and moving profiles is now something of an issue. Moving contents is not.

I was able to restore the profile using the profile manager. Thank you so much for your help.

I believe you replied to my previous post as well, regarding the Verizon SMTP issues and my difficulties sending mail. I am having trouble again, but I will chalk that up to Verizon for now. Thanks so much!!!

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I have a similar problem. Moved thunderbird to new Windows 10 pc. Both are using thunderbird 68.7.0 (32-Bit). I followed the instructions in: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer

First time I start thunderbird on new pc, it opened, I could receive mails etc, everyting was perfect! Closed Thunderbird, restartet it again and got some strange red text, see screenshot 1.

Thomas

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thomas.rappo said

I have a similar problem. Moved thunderbird to new Windows 10 pc. Both are using thunderbird 68.7.0 (32-Bit). I followed the instructions in: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer First time I start thunderbird on new pc, it opened, I could receive mails etc, everyting was perfect! Closed Thunderbird, restartet it again and got some strange red text, see screenshot 1. Thomas

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Gray_bar_below_status_bar

Run in safe mode (hold Shift when TB is launched) and see if the red text appears. If it doesn't, check your add-ons for updates or remove ones that can't be updated. The update of add-ons is best done manually.

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sfhowes said

thomas.rappo said
I have a similar problem. Moved thunderbird to new Windows 10 pc. Both are using thunderbird 68.7.0 (32-Bit). I followed the instructions in: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/moving-thunderbird-data-to-a-new-computer First time I start thunderbird on new pc, it opened, I could receive mails etc, everyting was perfect! Closed Thunderbird, restartet it again and got some strange red text, see screenshot 1. Thomas

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Gray_bar_below_status_bar

Run in safe mode (hold Shift when TB is launched) and see if the red text appears. If it doesn't, check your add-ons for updates or remove ones that can't be updated. The update of add-ons is best done manually.


started Thunderbird in safe mode, it worked. in 3 separate steps (start in safe mode, removed add-on, tested in normal mode): 1.) Test Pilot for Thunderbird, not compatible --> removed, Thunderbird starts for a fraction of a second, message not visible 2.) Lightning --> removed, no improvement 3.) British English Dictionary (Marc Pinto) --> removed, no improvement no more Add-ons installed, no updates found

Thunderbird starts for a fraction of a second, message not visible Thunderbird runs only in safe mode

only the Themes Light, Dark, Standard are left and can't be removed. no crash reports recorded.

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Start again safe mode, but this time 'Reset toolbars and controls' and 'Make changes and restart'.

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sfhowes said

Start again safe mode, but this time 'Reset toolbars and controls' and 'Make changes and restart'.

I did: 'Reset toolbars and controls' and 'Make changes and restart': Thunderbird starts for a fraction of a second, message not visible. Only safe mode starts Thunderbird, no crash reports recorded.

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thomas.rappo said

sfhowes said
Start again safe mode, but this time 'Reset toolbars and controls' and 'Make changes and restart'.

I did: 'Reset toolbars and controls' and 'Make changes and restart': Thunderbird starts for a fraction of a second, message not visible. Only safe mode starts Thunderbird, no crash reports recorded.

Safe mode applies a number of constraints. If add-ons and layout aren't causing the failure in normal mode, check if you have userChrome or userContent files in the chrome subfolder of the profile, or if hardware acceleration is enabled in normal mode.

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no subfolder chrom under profile folder, no userCrome or userContend files found as mentioned in: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Thunderbird/Thunderbird_Configuration_Files no hardware acceleration used in about:config: javascript.enabled; set to false --> no effect thunderbird still does not start correctly, starts only in safe mode.

I gave up!

New setup: erased \Thunderbird in AppData\Roaming. started Thunderbird, introduced my existing email account information. copy contend from "\Mail\Local Folders" from old to new computer. Adressbook: export from old computer, imported: ok

Thunderbird works again!

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Frustrating. Computer 1 old computer Computer 2 new computer

I copied the profile from comp 1 to flash drive. I opened the file y2m30...default and it appears all account info is there.

I installed new Thunderbird on Comp 2. Closed Thunderbird.

Went to C:\users\name\Appdata\Roaming\Thunderbird

two files there: df7...default iz1dp...default-release

I copied y2m30...default from flash drive. Opened file and all info is still there.

Now three files are there. df7...default iz1dp...default-release y2m30...default

Deleted df7...default iz1dp...default-release

Closed out of explorer.

Started Thunderbird and I get this error

"Your Thunderbird profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible."

What am I doing wrong??

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ke6vmz said

What am I doing wrong??

You are deleting things that are referenced elsewhere in explorer. Copy your stuff in by all means. Then use the information here to use the new profile wizard to create a new profile that point's to your old data. You can even delete the unwanted profiles using about:profiles as described.

Gone are the days of hacking the programs data in explorer. Unless you really know what you are doing it will fall in a heap over the downgrade protections that now exist.