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.

Avatar for Username

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

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

I cannot install the latest update. I get the message "The update could not be installed. Please make sure there are no other copies of Thunderbird running etc"

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by sfhowes

Tony33
Tony33
more options

I am running Windows 10. Trying to update Thunderbird to v 38.5 to v 45.8. I receive the message "Software Update Failed. The update could not be installed. Please make sure there are no other copies of Thunderbird running on your computer, and then restart Thunderbird to try again."

I have tried the fixes outlined in this article with no luck https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-software-update-failed

Can anyone assist solve this problem?

I am running Windows 10. Trying to update Thunderbird to v 38.5 to v 45.8. I receive the message "Software Update Failed. The update could not be installed. Please make sure there are no other copies of Thunderbird running on your computer, and then restart Thunderbird to try again." I have tried the fixes outlined in this article with no luck https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-software-update-failed Can anyone assist solve this problem?

All Replies (1)

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Try deleting the profile lock file: open the profile folder, located by default at C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles\8charstring.default

Allow viewing of hidden files and folders. Delete parent.lock.

Unless you have a compelling reason to use TB 45, download and run the installer for TB 60.7 over the existing installation.