Join the AMA (Ask Me Anything) with the Firefox leadership team to celebrate Firefox 20th anniversary and discuss Firefox’s future on Mozilla Connect. Mark your calendar on Thursday, November 14, 18:00 - 20:00 UTC!

This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Firefox profile problem since version 68.x

  • 3 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by ttelmah

more options

To be able to easily manage my mails I share a profile between my windows and linux installation of Thunderbird.

Recently I can't acces the thunderbird installation under linux anymore as it gives me:

"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 for this installation of Thunderbird. Creating a new profile requires setting up your accounts, calendars and add-ons again."

I understand the problem is caused by the new firefox version that isn't allowing multiple installations on the same profile anymore.

I hope there is a work around someone can help me with, because I just want to work with my emails, whether I'm working in Windows or Linux.

I believe this is a serious mistake in the new thunderbird for all those working on a shared profile.

To be able to easily manage my mails I share a profile between my windows and linux installation of Thunderbird. Recently I can't acces the thunderbird installation under linux anymore as it gives me: "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 for this installation of Thunderbird. Creating a new profile requires setting up your accounts, calendars and add-ons again." I understand the problem is caused by the new firefox version that isn't allowing multiple installations on the same profile anymore. I hope there is a work around someone can help me with, because I just want to work with my emails, whether I'm working in Windows or Linux. I believe this is a serious mistake in the new thunderbird for all those working on a shared profile.

Chosen solution

Launch TB from the command line (terminal) with the -profilemanager --allow-downgrade switches, and select the relevant profile.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_manager#Linux

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (3)

more options

Chosen Solution

Launch TB from the command line (terminal) with the -profilemanager --allow-downgrade switches, and select the relevant profile.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_manager#Linux

more options

sfhowes said

Launch TB from the command line (terminal) with the -profilemanager --allow-downgrade switches, and select the relevant profile. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_manager#Linux

Thank you!!!

I tried a similar solution without succes, but this command worked!

more options

A friend has been having the same problem (I'm on a Mac, so so far have not had this). On Windows. He is what could be called a 'low fiddle' user. Lets Thunderbird upgrade automatically, has a single profile etc. etc.. With the V68 update, Thunderbird tells him his profile has been updated by a newer version. I added the -allow-downgrade to his shortcut, and got it all going again. Then Thunderbird updated again over the weekend, and it all started again. Have had to go and put the option back in the shortcut. Appears the upgrade removed the option from the shortcut.

Now this can't really go on. If the profile format needs to change for compatibility, there needs to be a tool made available to convert the profiles to the required format.

So please Thunderbird look at making a proper permanent fix for all the people the profile change has affected.... :(