after a recent Thunderbird update was installed, it put up the create profile screen which I completed. I then discovered that the profile selection window was hidden behind the new profile window.

I see you are on WIndows 10. I've never seen the profile manager behavior you describe. What version of Thunderbird are you using?

Also, check that profiles.ini file correctly points to your profile directories. This is the information that profile manager uses.

Thank you, Wayne, for your reply, I am using version 91.9.1 (32 bit).

The following is the Profile.ini file:

[Install8216C80C92C4E828] Default=Profiles/3zj5ft2l.Don Activ8 Locked=1

[Profile3] Name=djh Activ8 IsRelative=1 Path=Profiles/d6rckv7g.djh Activ8

[Profile2] Name=Jane Activ8 IsRelative=1 Path=Profiles/ltvdoi6q.Jane Activ8

[Profile1] Name=Don Activ8 IsRelative=1 Path=Profiles/3zj5ft2l.Don Activ8 Default=1

[Profile0] Name=default IsRelative=1 Path=Profiles/pejd2eqr.default

[General] StartWithLastProfile=0 Version=2

I think the profile I need is the Default =Profiles/3zj5ft21.Don Activ8 but it appears that it maybe locked. there is also another with the same name listed as profile 1 I wonder if this is the problem.

Is the profile accessible when you click help>moretroubleshootinginformation, scroll down to 'Profiles' and then click 'about:profiles'? If it doesn't appear there, you can from that screen click 'create profile, and then enter a name and, after that, click the browse button to select the profile that you believe is the correct one.

Thank you all for your help. I followed David's instructions with the profile that had the folders in he mail folder but all these folders were no longer there. I have tried looking for deleted files but have found none. so looks like I have lost all my mail. Unfortunately my back up program stopped working towards the end of last year so I can't return to that

Thank you for your help, consider the problem closed.