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Functionality gradually degrades to where every function is so slow as to be unusuable; what can be done?

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  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by Matt

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I began using Thunderbird three months ago and I generally like it very much, EXCEPT, that after each installation/re-installation, functionality gradually degrades to where functions respond so slowly as to make the app intolerable to use; as implied, I have uninstalled/reinstalled three times and after each, functionality is great, but after about 2-3 weeks, every single function begins to slow, beginning with several tries necessary to have it connect with the server to send emails, then soon the cursor hanging/sticking as I compose emails, then all other functions (scrolling, deleting, opening emails, sending emails, reply, forward, etc, etc) becoming increasingly slow to respond to commands. I can't keep uninstalling/reinstalling as each time I've lost data and anyway, such is a hassle, but I would like to be able to continue to use Thunderbird, but I'll not be able to do so unless I can find a remedy which will stabilize the app's functionality and prohibit degradation.

I began using Thunderbird three months ago and I generally like it very much, EXCEPT, that after each installation/re-installation, functionality gradually degrades to where functions respond so slowly as to make the app intolerable to use; as implied, I have uninstalled/reinstalled three times and after each, functionality is great, but after about 2-3 weeks, every single function begins to slow, beginning with several tries necessary to have it connect with the server to send emails, then soon the cursor hanging/sticking as I compose emails, then all other functions (scrolling, deleting, opening emails, sending emails, reply, forward, etc, etc) becoming increasingly slow to respond to commands. I can't keep uninstalling/reinstalling as each time I've lost data and anyway, such is a hassle, but I would like to be able to continue to use Thunderbird, but I'll not be able to do so unless I can find a remedy which will stabilize the app's functionality and prohibit degradation.

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Start your computer in safe mode with networking. Does it run any better? Overly intrusive antivirus is usually the source of slow operation. Good reading. https://wiki.mozilla.org/Thunderbird:Testing:Antivirus_Related_Performance_Issues

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Chosen Solution

Apparently resolved spontaneously. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1163127