What is your anti-virus software?

AVG updated

Try to start *Windows* in safe mode with networking enabled.

- Win8 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode

Still in Windows safe mode, start Thunderbird in safe mode.

- https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/safe-mode

Does the problem go away?

I just downloaded an older version and it works. It seems every time I download a newer version it shuts down. Thanks for your help.

The problem is probably with AVG as Christ1 suggested. https://wiki.mozilla.org/Thunderbird:Testing:Antivirus_Related_Performance_Issues#AVG

I just downloaded an older version and it works.

An older version of what? What works?

17.0.2 Thunderbird Thanks for your help.

klmmason said

17.0.2 Thunderbird Thanks for your help.

So your using insecure software rather than identify what causes issues for you. Millions of others have no problem, but your "fix" your problem is to use a version of software that is known to be vulnerable to hacking. Be my guest.

Matt, If the new version did not crash every time I tried it I would update I will wait until the bugs are worked out then maybe try again.

Follow the links and read them. Its not TB bugs its heighten security.

@Gnospen I would say it is defective security provided by anti virus programs. The fact some of them balk at every single update until they get a message from home is not heightened security in my book. It is defective behavior.

@klmmason there have been Thunderbird 17, 24, 31 and 38. Are you saying all those but V17 crash? I saw nothing in your comments until your last reply to me about crashing. Going slow and not responding is almost always caused by anti virus programs. AVG is no exception. Your anti virus is most likely trying to scan files in your profile folder while Thunderbird is trying to update them creating to lockups from file contention issues and slow access. Creating a exemption for the Profile folders is one way to mitigate the problem. It simply stops on access scanning of files in the profile folder. Compacting your mail folder on a regular basis can also reduce the delays caused by anti virus as the filews being scanned are smaller.

The anti virus vendors often make that difficult to crate an exception, but AVG have instructions See https://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?l=en_US&urlname=How-to-exclude-file-folder-or-website-from-AVG-scanning

AVG is not happy allowing secure connections for mail an badgers you to establish it as a man in the middle hacker so it can scan your mail. Nothing like compromising your security so a so called security program can do it's job. How long before a hacker finds a hole in AVG and walks right in using the now defective security? The security that scanning email offers is actually about Zero and for that you have to create a gaping great hole in your security. Go AVG! So one backdoor in AVG for the NSA or other national security agency and your whole security is toast, a hackers paradise

@Matt, Well said, I agree 100% (I meant heighten security on TB) Still you need anti-virus and anyone of those could become a backdoor. But why bother when Microsoft and Apple have free access to put and take whatever they like whether its thru auto update that can't be turned of or with a non descriptive number.

@Gnospen, I am seriously reconsidering my option to upgrade, or even use, Windows 10 as a result. After using the product since V3. I am actively evaluating Linux distributions as a replacement.

I had, I believe, v31 of Thunderbird running fine. I waited a week or two to update Thunderbird.. Kept getting v38 is available messages. I finally let it do the update. First time I tried opening, it did NOTHING, but Ramped up MEM USAGE for over 15mins. I End Tasked. Tried bringing up in Safe Mode (Shift and click)... Came up. Re-booted. Tried regular start again. Got some of the window (Frame, Window Tab line [Home, Loading]) Watched Task Manager. Thunderbird running at 49 - 50% CPU. Mem Usage kept climbing, and climbing 294,000k to 489,000k and continuing. At one point, I Did get my folder list.. But, STILL NOT RESPONDING. In APPLICATIONS This was after leaving my pc ALONE for an HOUR. I saw TWO lines:under Task: August 2015 - Mozilla Thunderbird August 2015 - Mozilla Thunderbird (Not Responding). Only One item in Processses. I am running Windows Xp Sp3. I KNOW MS is NOT supporting this, BUT, Thunderbird WAS running on Last version. Came up in Safe Mode.

@RandMF

If the above information does not resolve your issue, please consider creating a new thread containing the specific details of your issue.

Doing so will allow the Mozilla volunteers to give you solutions that are more helpful to you. This may help them to solve your problem faster and more efficiently.

Please, feel free to post the link to your thread on this thread for volunteers interested in assisting you.

Thank you.

I found the path to Previous Versions of Thunderbird, in another message thread. Downloaded 31.7.0, and installed it. Working again. NOTHING changed with my Norton AV settings. Wish it was EASIER to find the Previous versions!!! ONLY found EarlyBird and Beta page. NO EASY link on Mozilla pages to find Earlier Versions to go Back to. How long should I stay with v31.7.0 before I KNOW that v38 is working???? I Did get a window asking to check for Other versions of Lightning that would be compatible (other than 4.0.2); didn't find. Could that have been part of the problem; Lightning? I have it Installed, but haven't used it in a bit. I had once mistakenly made a change to a Recurring item; to change ALL future occurs. Thunderbird would NOT open, until I removed my data item file. Never re-built it.

@RandMF Don't hijack a question IF you want answers.

This q is marked as solved, so nobody except us who answered here and hasn't stopped email-updates about this particular question will ever read your input.

@Gnospen Why is my question "SOLVED"? Re-installing Thunderbird with a Previous Version is the FIX for 38.2.0??? I put my message in here, because someone else here had "NOT RESPONDING" after Upgrading to 38.2.0. I wanted to give the input on my SIMILAR PROBLEM that had NOTHING to do with AVG or Windows 8. @klmmason said that his CURRENT solution was to download and install an Older version (17.0.2). WAY back... I went back to 31.7.0 and have it working again.

This question was raised by klmmason He /she owns it. And he / she marked it as solved.

That's the end of this question.

You raised another question inside this and can't expect anybody to read it as it doesn't show up as unsolved and need attention.

I have been lazy and haven't manage what question I'm getting updates about, But solved ones I don't need in my inbox.

RandMF said

@Gnospen Why is my question "SOLVED"? Re-installing Thunderbird with a Previous Version is the FIX for 38.2.0??? I put my message in here, because someone else here had "NOT RESPONDING" after Upgrading to 38.2.0. I wanted to give the input on my SIMILAR PROBLEM that had NOTHING to do with AVG or Windows 8. @klmmason said that his CURRENT solution was to download and install an Older version (17.0.2). WAY back... I went back to 31.7.0 and have it working again.

No fixing Norton's is the Fix. In a week of a month when some goon at Symantec gets around to working out there is a new Thunderbird version it will phone home and suddenly if will be fixed. Otherwise you have to manually tell it the new version is Ok. You have simply gone back to a known good state. where Norton's did work correctly. Next time ask your own question. You have now organized about six emails to the original poster after their problem was fixed. Most people call that spam. To that end I am locking this topic so no further spam can be generated.