Use of last profile with downgraded Thunderbird (131.0->128.3)
How can I implement my previous profile in 128.3.0 after inadvertent (release channel) automatic update to 131.0 followed by downgrade (uninstall/download/reinstall from thunderbird.net) to latest supported esr release, as recommended.
My last profile worked fine after auto update to 131.0 with emails, local folders, calendar, rules, contacts, etc. all available. Now, when attempting to launch or use that previous profile in reinstalled 128.3 popup advises: "You have launched an older version of Thunderbird." "A newer version of Thunderbird may have made changes to your profile which are no longer compatible with this older version. Use this profile only with that newer version or create a new profile."
Only options then available are "Exit" or "Create New Profile." TB 128.3 will recognize only a newly created generic profile, but not allow previous profile to be launched or set as default from Profile Manager.
Essentially, the options are: 1) Use your previous profile, but only with the Beta 131 release 2) Use the latest supported (128.3) release but only with a newly created profile, not yours.
I've seen this problem posted in several forms by people unknowingly on the "release" update channel who got the 131 release and can't implement their profile after downgrading to the esr release. The recommendations I've found to address this problem seem to lead one to a circular return to the problem.
John C
Chosen solution
It would be in the active profile c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird\profiles.ini is a text file you can open with notepad and it gives the name of the profile that is in c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird\profiles
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (3)
First, there is no automatic update to 131.0. That is only available from unauthorized software distributors. Second, locate a file named compatibilities.ini in profile and delete it. I think that will work.
Thanks, David. Best tip I've had. Should compatibilities.ini be in my local profile or the current default roaming profile?
Chosen Solution
It would be in the active profile c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird\profiles.ini is a text file you can open with notepad and it gives the name of the profile that is in c:\users\<yourid>\appdata\roaming\thunderbird\profiles