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Thunderbird ver 68 is not compatible with Quickbooks - QuickBooks cannot find Thunderbird and does not list it as an option.

  • 26 cavab
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by GMB

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We use Thunderbird to send Invoices and other forms from QuickBooks. This works fine with versions 60.9.0 or 60.9.1. However the 68 series updates are NOT compatible with QuickBooks.

In QuickBooks, the email client is set under "Edit" "Preferences" and then "Send Forms". There should be a choice of Web Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird or QuickBooks E-mail. This works fine with the 60 series Thunderbird. But with the 68 series, QuickBooks cannot find Thunderbird and does not list it as an option.

I assume this is the case with all 68 versions of Thunderbird, although I have only tried with 68.1.1 and 68.4.1 (both failed). The latter happened when Thunderbird automatically updated to ver 68.4.1 and we suddenly lost compatibility.

Is there a plan to make the newer Thunderbird versions compatible with QuickBooks?

Until then, I'm hoping I can prevent Thunderbird from automatically updating. It is a pain when it happens because it's on a hosted server and we have to get a tech to uninstall Thunderbird and reinstall the older version - we don't have admin rights to do it ourselves.

Searching the web, there are others frustrated with Thunderbird suddenly losing compatibility with QuickBooks, although I don't know if they realize it is dependent upon the version of Thunderbird.

- GMB

We use Thunderbird to send Invoices and other forms from QuickBooks. This works fine with versions 60.9.0 or 60.9.1. However the 68 series updates are NOT compatible with QuickBooks. In QuickBooks, the email client is set under "Edit" "Preferences" and then "Send Forms". There should be a choice of Web Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird or QuickBooks E-mail. This works fine with the 60 series Thunderbird. But with the 68 series, QuickBooks cannot find Thunderbird and does not list it as an option. I assume this is the case with all 68 versions of Thunderbird, although I have only tried with 68.1.1 and 68.4.1 (both failed). The latter happened when Thunderbird automatically updated to ver 68.4.1 and we suddenly lost compatibility. Is there a plan to make the newer Thunderbird versions compatible with QuickBooks? Until then, I'm hoping I can prevent Thunderbird from automatically updating. It is a pain when it happens because it's on a hosted server and we have to get a tech to uninstall Thunderbird and reinstall the older version - we don't have admin rights to do it ourselves. Searching the web, there are others frustrated with Thunderbird suddenly losing compatibility with QuickBooks, although I don't know if they realize it is dependent upon the version of Thunderbird. - GMB

Modified by Wayne Mery

Chosen solution

Not sure about what it may update to, but try modifying the following first:

  • Exit Thunderbird.
  • In search type: Run
  • Select the 'Run.app'
  • Type: regedit
  • click on OK

If asked to continue say yes.

Locate:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Mozilla
  • Right click on 'Mozilla' and select 'New' > 'Key'
  • Call it 'Thunderbird'

You will get the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Mozilla\Thunderbird.

  • Right click on 'Thunderbird' and select 'New' > 'DWORD (32bit) Value'
  • It will appear in the right pane - name it : DisableAppUpdate
  • Double click on 'DisableAppUpdate' to open a small window so you can edit the DWORD value.

Note: Even if you are running 64-bit Windows you must still create a 32-bit DWORD value.

  • Set its value to 1.
  • Click on OK

Start Thunderbird

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All Replies (6)

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Another possibility to stop TB from updating when it's already up to date is to delete the folder in C:\ProgramData\Mozilla\updates that corresponds to TB. The updates folder has subfolders for TB and Firefox updates, and you can tell which one by opening the updates.xml and looking for the reference to TB or Firefox.

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What is set in this location: Please check registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Clients\Mail Does it have 'Mozilla Thunderbird' set up as detailed below?

  • In search type: Run
  • Select 'Run' app
  • type regedit

Locate this registry entry:

  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Clients\Mail
  • on right side double click on 'Default'
  • Enter Mozilla Thunderbird in 'Value Data'
  • click on 'OK'
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See the attached images.

In regedit - only Adobe and Microsoft are listed under policies. There is no Mozilla - can I create one?

Mozilla Thunderbird is already showing as the default email.

The file C:\ProgramData\Mozilla\updates\8216C80C92C4E28\update.config.json opens in Notepad to show {"app.update.auto":false}

However TB continues to update by itself every day or two.

- GMB

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re : There is no Mozilla - can I create one? Yes. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies then right click the 'Policies' key to create a new key 'Mozilla'.

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OK, I've made the changes to Policies.

I'll keep my fingers crossed and check over the next few days to see if TB updates!

Thanks! - GMB

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Finally has been working properly for the past 10 days with no problems.

Any install with version 68.* does NOT work for us - not compatible with QB. Regardless if update or fresh install.

TB kept automatically updating from ver 60.9.1 to ver 68 even when set not to update or to notify and let me choose.

The final solution (and only thing that works) appears to be the regedit changes instructing TB not to update.

Thanks! - GMB

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