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How can I force a password change with middle aged OS X (10.9.5) latest Thunderbird

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 10 views
  • Last reply by griswolf

griswolf
griswolf
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I understand the "delete your password, then use the account" technique, and it has worked in the past. Now, however, I can find no way to actually delete the password. These trials:

1: (preferences) | Security | Passwords | saved passwords | delete one: 

 When I try this, it appears to go away, but if I re-open the preference it is still there. Same after quitting and restarting Tbird, same after rebooting

2: Quit Tbird. Cd to my profile and remove key3.db as well as logins.json. Restart Tbird. The two files re-appear. (and the passwords are still there as viewed in step 1)

3: Write this and ask for help.

I understand the "delete your password, then use the account" technique, and it has worked in the past. Now, however, I can find no way to actually delete the password. These trials: 1: (preferences) | Security | Passwords | saved passwords | delete one: When I try this, it appears to go away, but if I re-open the preference it is still there. Same after quitting and restarting Tbird, same after rebooting 2: Quit Tbird. Cd to my profile and remove key3.db as well as logins.json. Restart Tbird. The two files re-appear. (and the passwords are still there as viewed in step 1) 3: Write this and ask for help.

Chosen solution

Do you have any password-related add-ons, such as Startup Master, or a 3rd-party password or security program? I'm reluctant to suggest the 'nuclear option' and create a new profile, but sometimes it's easier and faster in situations like this.

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All Replies (4)

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
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From this article:"Signons.sqlite - Obsolete. Replaced by logins.json. It stores encrypted saved passwords, and requires key3.db and cert8.db to work. If you delete it, also delete key3.db and cert8.db"

Does deleting cert8.db help?

griswolf
griswolf Question owner
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sfhowes said

From this article:"Signons.sqlite - Obsolete. Replaced by logins.json. It stores encrypted saved passwords, and requires key3.db and cert8.db to work. If you delete it, also delete key3.db and cert8.db" Does deleting cert8.db help?

Nice idea, good article. But no joy. Also, removing cert8.db caused a bunch of troublesome warnings, maybe because we're coming at the "create an account" system sideways?

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Do you have any password-related add-ons, such as Startup Master, or a 3rd-party password or security program? I'm reluctant to suggest the 'nuclear option' and create a new profile, but sometimes it's easier and faster in situations like this.

Modified by sfhowes

griswolf
griswolf Question owner
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Hah. I had forgotten about having the Keychain Services Integration extension which certainly looks suspicious. And indeed: If I use the Keychain Access app to delete an account password, it disappears in Thunderbird too. Thanks for joggling my elbow until I did the (not quite so) obvious thing.