Why don't you resize the Thunderbird window to a usable size? You know how to resize a window by dragging its borders, don't you?

Thanks, but the cursor/pointer does not recognise the edge of the small window, so this doesn't work, neither does changing the window size to "maximize" in the properties/shorcut tab. Any other suggestions? Thanks

Does it open normally in safe mode (hold Shift when you launch TB)? Safe mode, among other things, applies a default layout, that might indicate your working layout is broken. If it looks correct in safe mode, apply the 'Reset toolbars and controls' option described in the kb article.

Thanks, I didn't realise safe mode was so easy to use. But before your latest reply, I saved the whole Thunderbird folder, the one in app data, to a flash stick, deleted Thunderbird using Control Panel, and deleted the Thunderbird folder in App Data. I then reinstalled Thunderbird, coppied the old Profile to the re-installed profile directory, and when I restarted Thunderbird, it seemed OK and the usual initiation and set-up screens appeared. I tried to import the old Profile file from the Tools>Import and got the message "No application to import data from found" Importing from the "Events and Tasks" menu only lets you import .ics and .csv files. I have also used the Run Command "Thunderbird.exe -profilemanager" to try and set up the old profile, but I then get the message "Profile missing. Your Thunderbird profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccesible". Any further help would be much appreciated as I now cannot access all the local folders that I have saved on the hard disc. I have will use your suggestion of "Reset toolbars and contrlos" in due coursw, if needed. Many thanks. Keith D

It looks like you've jumped from the frying pan into the proverbial fire. Always try the simple fix before taking drastic action.

Look for mbox files in whatever profile folder has them, in the Mail/<popserver>, Mail/Local Folders or ImapMail/<imapserver> subfolders. They are the large files with no extension, named after folders. Copy them into the Mail/Local Folders location of the active profile, while TB is closed. They will appear under Local Folders in the Folder Pane when TB restarts.

Hi, Many thanks. Yes, into the fire, which just gets hotter! Lesson to learn here: Await replies patiently. So reinstalled all again, and before your last reply, I just coppied the contents of the old profile into the new profile folder and got the same unsizable, useless thumbnail of a window. So now at least I know that something in the old profile was causing the problem. I have now done as you kindly suggested with the mbox files, and while 2 of my 3 IMAP accounts are up and running, they don't seem to recognise or find the local folders. I only have what was left on the servers. These 2 accounts didn't start up automatically, I had to add them, althought their details were found. I also coppied the 2 .mab files, so at least I have all my email contacts. Many thanks for all your help so far. I would be particulary grateful if you have any further ideas on how to reveal the old local folders. Many thanks again for your help. Keith D

What exactly did you copy, and where did you copy it to? Local Folders are separate from IMAP folders, which always are synced with what is on the IMAP server.

Hi, I copied the ImapMail and the Mail folders straight into the new profile, which didn't have these folders. The Mail folder contains only a folder named Local Folders, which itself contains 6 folders with .sbd extension and another 26 files which are mainly paired: <name>, without an extension and <name>.msf. These files have a fairly blank icon. Also the Local Folders folder is 1.6GB. As I said, the fire seems to get hotter. Thanks again Keith Davidson

So, you didn't copy the mbox files as recommended, but copied entire folders.

Open Tools/Account Settings, select Server Settings for an account, then Browse... to the Local Directory where the account's folders are stored, e.g. .../ImapMail/<imapserver>.

Hi again, Oops, I didn't realise you meant just the files, however there were no ImapMail or Mail folders, so I coppied the folders. At some stage a new "LocalFolder-1" appeared (I didn't create this!) and this appeared in the Accounts>View Settings for this account>Local Folders>Local Directory window which I browsed to change to the Local Folders folder and all the local folders are fine now. The recalcitrant Imap account had an issue with the password so I had to contact the server(Ionos), who re-set the settings. But these settings have no security so I have to get back onto them. But by and large I am a happy bunny. Thanks for all your help. Keith D

I just read all this. did you try safe mode with your "small window" profile or not?

I think you would be better served trying to get it back to working than trying to import mail that might be in the profile and then tackle the contacts problems.