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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 replies
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  • Last reply by david

4katsnme
4katsnme
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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)

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor
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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.

4katsnme
4katsnme Question owner
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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?

david
david
  • Top 10 Contributor
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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.