windows update has deleted Firefox and Thunderbird
Windows 10 hs just updated itself. Not only has it rearranged all my files, it has completely deleted Firefox and Thunderbird. I have reinstalled Firefox, with just the minor inconvenience of losing my bookmarks and settings, but Thunderbird just invites me to set up a new account. All my e-mails and addresses have gone. Fortunately I had switched to using Gmail most of the time but there were archived e-mails and many addresses that I haven't moved to Gmail. I do have a Seagate backupdrive but don't know how to find or reinstate the lost data, even if I set up a new account.
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Did Windows create this folder:
C:\Windows.old
If you tell Windows to keep your data during a major update, it may create that temporary folder (removed after 28 days).
To explore the folder, you'll need to set Windows to display hidden files and folders. See: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14201/windows-show-hidden-files
Then click through:
C:\Windows.old\Users\your-user-name\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird
Do you find that folder, with a "Profiles" folder inside?
Firefox data would be under:
C:\Windows.old\Users\your-user-name\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox
There are many past threads on various way to recover data, but you may want specific guidance for important/sensitive data.
I'm afraid not, there is no Old folder under Windows. I do have my data backed up on an external hard drive, but I don't know how to find it or how to restore it if I did find it.
It wouldn't be an old folder under C:\Windows, it would actually be a folder named C:\Windows.old
Have you shut down and restarted your system since this problem began? Occasionally after updates Windows starts up in the incorrect user profile and no user data is available. Usually one or two restarts will resolve that.
I did a restart and the problem is more severe than I thought. Windows is back to where it was yesterday, telling me to sign out and in again, refusing to accept this, and then creating a temporary profile. So everything I did yesterday, including reinstalling Firefox, has gone. I must have been using a temporary profile yesterday too, but I can't get Windowss to accept my sign-in (which is automatic, no password). It's more than Mozilla problem, it's a Microsoft problem, and a serious one. Thanks for trying.
Hopefully you can save off everything under
- C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird
- C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14201/windows-show-hidden-files
Thanks for that last suggestion (I am now using a tablet, and it's not clear whether I'm replying to the right post). Later this week someone is coming to help me try to restore my Windows profile, and if we can manage that, then I may be able to use your links. Thanks again!