Ok, I read it. It makes exactly zero sense.

Perhaps you could take the time to actually explain what it is you are asking for assistance with.

My guess because I hate wasting time, is you need help with your anti virus program. Most folk trying to reset passwords following updates (which I am guessing) actually have a problem with their anti virus that thinks it is scanning mail or the firewall component that came with it.

Check the firewall component and turn off email scanning.

Hi Matt, Thanks for your help, and I hate wasting time as well. Just about an hour ago I went to check email. Instead of being sent to my messages a screen popped up and I was asked to download Mozilla's Firefox instead.

For Windows OS using win 32 and all set up as default... Right click on Thunderbird shortcut icon on desktop and select 'Properties' Target should say eg: "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe"

Start in should say: "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Thunderbird"

What do you see ?

An image can often help explain weird stuff. Post an image so it shows the desktop icon you are clicking on and whatever it is currently opening/asking for.

After doing absolutely nothing, my problem has gone away. Sincere thanks for the help offered, as well as to the cyber Gods that work in mysterious ways.