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IMAP operations sometimes freeze up Thunderbird SOLVED: caused by "Allow Windows Search" option in Thunderbird

  • 4 replies
  • 6 have this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by user1121639

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I just switched to using a new computer with Windows 8.1. Thunderbird (latest version 31.2.0) , now sometimes freezes (Not Responding), for a minute or two during IMAP operations. This did not happen in Windows 7, and all the settings are exactly the same.

I have not found any consistency to the problem at all. Sometimes it doesn't happen for awhile, other times it happens on every IMAP operation. It can happen when moving a message from one IMAP folder to another, or when deleting a message from an IMAP folder, or when emptying the IMAP Trash folder.

Things I've tried that haven't made any difference: - Creating a new Thunderbird profile. - Disabling all add-ons. - Changing the "Maximum number of server connections to cache" to 1 for the IMAP account.

I just switched to using a new computer with Windows 8.1. Thunderbird (latest version 31.2.0) , now sometimes freezes (Not Responding), for a minute or two during IMAP operations. This did not happen in Windows 7, and all the settings are exactly the same. I have not found any consistency to the problem at all. Sometimes it doesn't happen for awhile, other times it happens on every IMAP operation. It can happen when moving a message from one IMAP folder to another, or when deleting a message from an IMAP folder, or when emptying the IMAP Trash folder. Things I've tried that haven't made any difference: - Creating a new Thunderbird profile. - Disabling all add-ons. - Changing the "Maximum number of server connections to cache" to 1 for the IMAP account.

Modified by Wayne Mery

Chosen solution

It took 4 hours of troubleshooting, but I finally found the culprit.

Windows Search

It did not freeze up while Windows was in Safe Mode with Networking.

I uninstalled Kaspersky, disabled all non-Microsoft Services, stopped all startup items, then started disabling Microsoft Services. Finally I was able to narrow it down to Windows Search. Then I re-enabled everything else but Windows Search, tested, then enabled Windows Search again.

Ultimately, the way to solve the problem is in Thunderbird Options:

Menu bar: Tools: Options: Advanced: General Tab: System Integration:

Uncheck "Allow Windows Search to search messages".

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All Replies (4)

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What is your anti-virus software?

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Oops. I forgot to mention that I also tried completely disabling Kaspersky Internet Security, and the freeze-up still happened.

I also uninstalled, did cleanup, then reinstalled Thunderbird. Still freeze-up.

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Chosen Solution

It took 4 hours of troubleshooting, but I finally found the culprit.

Windows Search

It did not freeze up while Windows was in Safe Mode with Networking.

I uninstalled Kaspersky, disabled all non-Microsoft Services, stopped all startup items, then started disabling Microsoft Services. Finally I was able to narrow it down to Windows Search. Then I re-enabled everything else but Windows Search, tested, then enabled Windows Search again.

Ultimately, the way to solve the problem is in Thunderbird Options:

Menu bar: Tools: Options: Advanced: General Tab: System Integration:

Uncheck "Allow Windows Search to search messages".