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

Missing Local Folders

more options

Hi. A few weeks ago I had a Thunderbird-is-already-running type message, and couldn't launch Thunderbird. I consulted these forums, and (as suggested) deleted the parentlock file. That got me into Thunderbird, but all Local Folders were missing from my Local Folders list.

I consulted these forums, and (as suggested) deleted .msf files from the Local Folders folder (with Thunderbird closed). I restarted. These files did not regenerated, and the Local Folders are still inaccessible.

I can use the Thunderbird client to search for messages in the Local Folders. I can see these messages, but they cannot be opened.

Each individual Local Folder file seems to be there in the Local Folders folder. I appear to have only one profile.

I would really appreciate your help in reinstating the "missing" Local Folders, which contain (guess what) important e-mails. I've no technical expertise (any longer), so would need really clear instructions to follow.

Big thanks.

Hi. A few weeks ago I had a Thunderbird-is-already-running type message, and couldn't launch Thunderbird. I consulted these forums, and (as suggested) deleted the parentlock file. That got me into Thunderbird, but all Local Folders were missing from my Local Folders list. I consulted these forums, and (as suggested) deleted .msf files from the Local Folders folder (with Thunderbird closed). I restarted. These files did not regenerated, and the Local Folders are still inaccessible. I can use the Thunderbird client to search for messages in the Local Folders. I can see these messages, but they cannot be opened. Each individual Local Folder file seems to be there in the Local Folders folder. I appear to have only one profile. I would really appreciate your help in reinstating the "missing" Local Folders, which contain (guess what) important e-mails. I've no technical expertise (any longer), so would need really clear instructions to follow. Big thanks.

All Replies (7)

more options

With Thunderbird closed delete the session.json and foldertree.json files and restart Thunderbird.

more options

Hi Matt, Many thanks for the suggestion.

Did it. No change.

Is there a "next"? (He say, hoping that there's a "next"...)

more options

NEXT Delete foldertree.json. Which is what I should have had you do first. I needed more drugs or more sleep I think.

more options

Or the same amount of sleep, but different drugs maybe.

I did that. No change.

more options

Hi Matt, hi all, Anything else to try?

Dave

more options

Hi. Desperate to find a solution for this.

There are (of course) important e-mails in the "missing" Local Folders.

Is there anything else I can try?

Dave

more options

Hello again, Very, very desperate to find a solution.

I've, I guess, done something wrong (I know how good this community is). If it was the down vote, and if that was bad etiquette, I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to offend.

Is there anything else I can try to fix this, or are the contents of my local folders gone for good, even if the individual files still clearly exist?

Big thanks - Dave