Is someone (or some software) managing your updates, or did you download 68 from somewhere other than https://thunderbird.net/ ??

Wayne, Thanks for your quick reply. I use "PatchMyPC.exe" to find updates for me - and it has usually be very reliable. Last night, I got a note to update to v 68.10, but when I OK'd the change, version 78 was installed. Any advice you can offer will be happily received - I lost a 3000 entry address book and a 20,000 e-mail archive with the changes! Thanks, Doug Rothwell

This is the second issue with "patch my PC I have seen. Last time it updated the person before 78 was available on the Thunderbird.net page. I have no idea of the source of the executable they use. Perhaps to FTP "Thunderbird latest link?

But I digress from the issue at hand. Following the update were you asked to add your email account over again?

Matt,

Thanks for your reply.

After I deinstalled 78 and installed 68.10, when I opened Thunderbird I did get a dialog box that my profile had been updated for the new version of the application. If I wanted to use that profile with the older (68.10) version of the application, I would have to re-enter my account information. I accepted that re-entry, not realizing it would wipe out access to far more.

Doug

see my notes on allowing downgrade here https://thunderbirdtweaks.blogspot.com/2019/09/i-lost-my-profilemail-on-update-to.html

Matt, Thanks, very much, for pointing me to your blog post. I appreciate the benefit of your expertise and your help with my issue. Based on your blog post, below is my intended plan of action. I’d appreciate your comments on it so I don’t drive off the edge of the cliff – again! I don’t plan to act on what I describe until Monday, when I have an open day to deal with issues.

Step 1 – Save an archive copy of users/appData/Roaming/Thunderbird to I can get back to where I am today, if needed. Create a MailStore Home file of my current e-mail to access if Thunderbird changes go awry.

Step 2 – Attached is an image of the profile information accessed per your blog post. The “default profile” is a very large file, so I am guessing this is where the content I need resides.

Step 3 – I will launch “Profile: default” using “Launch Profile in New Browser.” If this restores my information, I will return to this page and click “Set as default profile.”

In the hope that this old profile returns my history (I hope, I hope), what is the best way to restore the messages received/saved since the failed software update? I think I can restore them from MailStore Home archive, but if there is an easier way, I am all ears.

Thanks for all the help. It is most appreciated.

Doug

Sounds good to me.

Matt,

It worked! I am no longer on the roof of my home threatening to jump! I tested the profile in the new browser window and most messages appeared to be intact. The only thing I could not find were some recent sent items - a minor issue, for sure.

Thanks, again, for all the help.

Doug