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After 78.7.1 update can't link to URLs in received messages

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I believe that today I updated to Thunderbird Version 78.7.1 (64-bit) from Thunderbird Version 78.6.1 (64-bit) (according to “About Thunderbird” under “Help”). On 1-23-21 it said that I was running Version 78.6.1 (64-bit) and today after the update it said I was running Version 78.7.1 (64-bit).

Before this update yesterday, when I clicked on a URL in a link in a received message, Thunderbird opened my default browser, Firefox, and displayed the page at that URL. (I have been doing this in Thunderbird for years.)

Today after the update, nothing happens when I click on links in received messages, and when I click on “Thunderbird help” under the “Help” tab in the main menu, the writing on the main menu dims, and nothing happens. (I do not see the help page that I am used to seeing.)

I have tried everything suggested here, and that did not help: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/hyperlinks-in-messages-not-working

“About Thunderbird” under “Help” on the main menu tells me that I am “currently on the release update channel”. I believe that this is where the updates that I make come from. (I wish that I could subscribe to only those updates that correct security vulnerabilities—Any enhanced capabilities that updates might bring are not worth to me the grief that constant updating brings.)

I would appreciate any help you can give.

Thank you, Ned Kennington

(Edited for readability:- Matt)

I believe that today I updated to Thunderbird Version 78.7.1 (64-bit) from Thunderbird Version 78.6.1 (64-bit) (according to “About Thunderbird” under “Help”). On 1-23-21 it said that I was running Version 78.6.1 (64-bit) and today after the update it said I was running Version 78.7.1 (64-bit). Before this update yesterday, when I clicked on a URL in a link in a received message, Thunderbird opened my default browser, Firefox, and displayed the page at that URL. (I have been doing this in Thunderbird for years.) Today after the update, nothing happens when I click on links in received messages, and when I click on “Thunderbird help” under the “Help” tab in the main menu, the writing on the main menu dims, and nothing happens. (I do not see the help page that I am used to seeing.) I have tried everything suggested here, and that did not help: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/hyperlinks-in-messages-not-working “About Thunderbird” under “Help” on the main menu tells me that I am “currently on the release update channel”. I believe that this is where the updates that I make come from. (I wish that I could subscribe to only those updates that correct security vulnerabilities—Any enhanced capabilities that updates might bring are not worth to me the grief that constant updating brings.) I would appreciate any help you can give. Thank you, Ned Kennington (Edited for readability:- Matt)

Modified by Matt

Chosen solution

Hi Matt and other very helpful responders,

    I installed the latest update to Windows 10 on 2-9-21, and the problem went away after that.  Just one of the joys of updates to Thunderbird that brought me nothing but trouble.
    Thank you again for your generous help.

Ned Kennington

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All Replies (4)

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Hello there Nkennington. We have read your message we try to help you.


The links to websites in your recieved email s inbox won t work.

try to boot thunderbird in safe mode. If you've done this and the links work in safe mode, it's probably the add-ons that are doing the disruptive work.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/installing-addon-thunderbird https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/cannot-remove-add-on-extension-or-theme

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/safe-mode-thunderbird

try to find out which bad Addons they are and disable it.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/hyperlinks-in-messages-not-working.

Greetings Firefox volunteer.

Modified by День сумо

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As I said in the third paragraph of my question. I have already tried everything you suggest without any success.

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To diagnose problems with Thunderbird, try one of the following:

  • Restart Thunderbird with add-ons disabled (Thunderbird Safe Mode). On the Help menu, click on "Restart with Add-ons Disabled". If Thunderbird works like normal, there is an Add-on or Theme interfering with normal operations. You will need to re-enable add-ons one at a time until you locate the offender.
  • Restart the operating system in safe mode with Networking. This loads only the very basics needed to start your computer while enabling an Internet connection. Click on your operating system for instructions on how to start in safe mode: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, OSX
If safe mode for the operating system fixes the issue, there's other software in your computer that's causing problems. Possibilities include but not limited to: AV scanning, virus/malware, background downloads such as program updates.
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Suluhisho teule

Hi Matt and other very helpful responders,

    I installed the latest update to Windows 10 on 2-9-21, and the problem went away after that.  Just one of the joys of updates to Thunderbird that brought me nothing but trouble.
    Thank you again for your generous help.

Ned Kennington