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Computer user folder changed and Thunderbird cannot find my profiles

  • 5 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

luminara
luminara
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I changed the name of my computer user name folder, the one that contains all the Thunderbird profiles. But the old folder is still there. So I think Thunderbird is still using the old directory path, but not finding any data with which to populate the program. So every time I start it up, I get the message to create new email accounts. Since I have about 10 accounts and the appropriate profile (just in the wrong folder, according to Thunderbird), it looks like a brand new installation.

Here is the file path to where the profile is stored in the new folder now: Windows C -> Users -> Luminara ->AppData->Roaming->Thunderbird

Here is the file path previously, when I installed Thunderbird: Windows C -> Users -> onelu ->AppData->Roaming->Thunderbird

I cannot uninstall the program. See image for the message I get. The uninstall feature is definitely looking for info in the old file, which isn't there.

I tried putting the Thunderbird file from the user "Luminara" into the file "onelu", but got the same message.

Last night when I couldn't uninstall, I just downloaded Thunderbird again. When I opened the program, it found all my email accounts. But this morning, it's not working again. I really need to get to my accounts in this organized way, not looking at many sites (takes forever).

Any suggestions on how to uninstall Thunderbird so it can install properly? Thank you!

I changed the name of my computer user name folder, the one that contains all the Thunderbird profiles. But the old folder is still there. So I think Thunderbird is still using the old directory path, but not finding any data with which to populate the program. So every time I start it up, I get the message to create new email accounts. Since I have about 10 accounts and the appropriate profile (just in the wrong folder, according to Thunderbird), it looks like a brand new installation. Here is the file path to where the profile is stored in the new folder now: Windows C -> Users -> Luminara ->AppData->Roaming->Thunderbird Here is the file path previously, when I installed Thunderbird: Windows C -> Users -> onelu ->AppData->Roaming->Thunderbird I cannot uninstall the program. See image for the message I get. The uninstall feature is definitely looking for info in the old file, which isn't there. I tried putting the Thunderbird file from the user "Luminara" into the file "onelu", but got the same message. Last night when I couldn't uninstall, I just downloaded Thunderbird again. When I opened the program, it found all my email accounts. But this morning, it's not working again. I really need to get to my accounts in this organized way, not looking at many sites (takes forever). Any suggestions on how to uninstall Thunderbird so it can install properly? Thank you!
Attached screenshots

All Replies (5)

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Please post the contents of the profiles.ini file underneath C:\Users\Luminara\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird

luminara
luminara Question owner
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Did you mean this, what is in the pic?

I know there are too many files, but not sure what to do about it, which one is the accurate one.

I searched in Explorer for profiles.ini file and came up blank. Maybe I need to unhide folders or files to find it?

Please let me know if it's something else you need me to find. Thank you.

luminara
luminara Question owner
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Hello @christ1? or anyone?

I really need to get my thunderbird back up and running. I'm thrown off not being able to look in one place for all my emails, each online platform needing to figure out how to do things (like write, send, save draft, etc).

I do not have a profiles.ini file in the Thunderbird files anywhere.

luminara
luminara Question owner
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I figured it out. I just deleted all the files from the user profile Thunderbird was using (found in Help->troubleshooting->open profile folder).

And replaced them with the user profile I had backed up. All my email accounts are back.

I probably still cannot uninstall Thunderbird if I encounter a problem, since it still points to the old user folder. But I'm happy for now.

If you know of a way to reroute Thunderbird to the new user name, I'd appreciate knowing. I think there is still something amiss, but working for now. Luminara

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
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If you are logging on to the new User Account to see desktop and can run Thunderbird from a short cut icon on the desktop then there should not be an issue.

Thunderbird was installed on computer. The permissions set out what User Account can use it. If you can see a shortcut icon on desktop - right click on it and select 'Properties', then select the 'Security' tab. This shows you permissions.

You can uninstall Thunderbird just by deleting the 'Mozilla Thunderbird' folder from the 'Program Files (x86)' folder.

But it is also possible you have data in the 'prefs.js' file that points to a specific User Account and that 'prefs.js' folder is in your 'profile name' account eg: l10t4pox.default-release-1

As a heads up if someone says something like this again... Please post the contents of the profiles.ini file underneath C:\Users\Luminara\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird

That means in the 'Thunderbird' folder you will find a 'profiles.ini' file. The 'profiles.ini' file can be opened using a text editor program such as 'Notepad' so you can see the contents. The 'profiles.ini' file is not the same as a 'Profiles' folder, although the names are similar. See image below - sorry it's an old one, but it does show the two items discussed.