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TB Not loading default profile

  • 14 replies
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by yvrdarb

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Just installed and migrated all of my email accounts, restarted and it isn't loading the default profile.

profiles.ini is present, fine and in the default location along with the profile folder and sub dir.

What can I try next?

Just installed and migrated all of my email accounts, restarted and it isn't loading the default profile. profiles.ini is present, fine and in the default location along with the profile folder and sub dir. What can I try next?

Chosen solution

Hi yvrdarb, I'll just assume that your accounts are backed up, and you're using IMAP.

In that case, just delete the C:\Users\XXXX\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\ folder, and restore your backup.

For instructions, check out the following video

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (14)

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Just installed and migrated all of my email accounts

What exactly does this mean?

profiles.ini is present, fine and in the default location

Please post the contents of your profiles.ini file.

Also, please determine the profile folder used when running Thunderbird and post the result here. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-thunderbird-stores-user-data#w_how-to-find-your-profile

Modified by christ1

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What exactly does this mean?

I had just installed Thunderbird. Setup several email accounts on Thunderbird. Downloaded a number of emails into Thunderbird. Deleted all of my above mentioned account settings in Gmail. Restarted Thunderbird. Regretted the decision.

Please post the contents of your profiles.ini file.

profiles.ini

[General] StartWithLastProfile=1

[Profile0] Name=default IsRelative=1 Path=Profiles/gf6f4qhh.default Default=1

Also, please determine the profile folder used when running Thunderbird and post the result here.

C:\Users\XXXX\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird

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C:\Users\XXXX\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird

I would expect to see a profile folder. I somehow doubt the path you provided actually is the one to your profile folder. Please clarify.

Modified by christ1

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I doubt the path you provided actually is your profile folder.

Ok, good call; that is actually one level above.

C:\Users\XXXX\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles

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C:\Users\XXXX\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\Profiles

I want to see one level below that.

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see the attached; the second exists because I copied the folder and gave it another name in hops that TB may recognize one of them.

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is there a location where I can download the previous version?

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This profile you posted has no mail or IMAPmail folder. So it is not a valid and complete profile. Every profile has both folders.

So I suggest you back up to the point of copying your old profile and start over from there.

Just to be certain, be aware that windows returns control of large copies to the user long before they are actually on the USB drive. it continues to copy in the background for some time after the copying dialog disappears sometimes.

I suggest you right click the profile folder in it's original location and under properties take note of the number of files and folders that make up the profile. Then repeat the process on the copy to verify you have them all.

Repeat again on the new device to ensure that copy is complete.

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Thanks.

So I did a uninstall/reinstall and opened TB the "first" new time and it loaded the previous user settings, hurrah!

But then I closed it, re-opened and back to ground zero, no profile found.

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Unless someone comes up with a a magic fix today, I am just going to uninstall and move on.

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Hi yvrdarb, I'm unsure what you mean by "Deleted all of my above mentioned account settings in Gmail." Is this your first installation of Thunderbird?

If the problem still occurs, we'll need some more info about your Thunderbird setup.

  1. Go to [=] > Help > Troubleshooting Information then click Copy text to Clipboard.
  2. Go to https://pastebin.com and go to Edit > Paste to paste the info from your Troubleshooting Information page.
  3. In Firefox, click on the three dots to the right of the address, and select Copy Link.
  4. Open a reply to this post, and go to Edit > Paste to paste the link to your troubleshooting information.
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  1. 1.) I don't have access to [=]; the full interface isn't loading: it is prompting me to setup an email account.

2.) Perhaps you can help me and recommend a good mail client?

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Chosen Solution

Hi yvrdarb, I'll just assume that your accounts are backed up, and you're using IMAP.

In that case, just delete the C:\Users\XXXX\AppData\Roaming\Thunderbird\ folder, and restore your backup.

For instructions, check out the following video

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Ok, so I nuked the existing profile.ini and folders and that has apparently resolved the issue.

Several opening and closing and it pulls up the default profile each time.

Thanks!